how to build a custom tile bathtub
qualityjob
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
Building a custom tile tub, base will be a wet bed with a cove where it meets the walls.
– Schluter rep says they do tubs and it works fine but they don’t warranty it.
– or I could do a vinyl membrane and a clamping drain
Anyone done a tile bathtub who wants to weigh in on best practice?
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I’ve have had a few outdoor and indoor pools installed with Hydroban products from Laticrete. Most all of the Hydroban products are approved for indoor use along with outdoor use. They have a few different warranty options for swimming pools a 10,15 or 25 yr depending upon the products you use (like epoxy grout vs standard type grouts). Best to contact them directly for right product and warranty info. I would imagine that if they will warranty an outdoor pool w/ chlorinated water for 25 yrs they will warranty a tub. I don’t remember ever seeing terminology in their warranty about tubs, but a tub is basically just a small pool. You may have to call it a small indoor pool for them to take on the warranty, maybe? I’ve thought of doing a custom tiled tub before, but the cost and maintenance of keeping grout joints clean etc has always kept me from trying it out. I use Hydroban for all my showers and wet floors. After I tried it once I was hooked and haven’t installed a Schluter system since. Hydroban is so much easier to install and is seamless. I’ve been using it for at least 10 yrs now for pools, showers and wet floors, never had a problem. It works for crack isolation as well.
Interesting, I'm looking into it and will reach out to their outside rep, thanks.
It says it bonds directly to metal so I presume the installation might be
wetbed => drain body => hydroban => flood test => tile/thinset => trim
that about right?
It will bond directly to metal, but I think it bonds stronger to other materials. They do make bonding flange drains similar to Schluter. I know they make all types of shower drains specifically for the product. I’m not sure about a tub drain. I built a brewery about 10 yrs ago. The brew floor was built like a giant shower pan with 4 drains. We used standard commercial type floor drains for that and applied Hydroban directly to the drain body. In ten years no leaks and it has been abused. You may have to improvise something to make a tub drain. I would build a mock up and do a flood test by building a small plywood box, installing the drain and applying the Hydroban beforehand.