Replies

1. 
   andybuildz | Mar 25, 2003 11:31pm | #1

   Niko (by the way thats my daughters name)

            Unscrew the bottom screws or punch in the nails and cut back the rock. Slide the shower base in.

   If the shower walls are of heavy material I can see how they possibly go to the studs but how do you fasten the walls to the studs? If its a glue shower surround than it needs to be glued to M.R rock or CBU's.

   Need a bit more information here.

   Be well

         Namaste

                      andy

   "As long as you have certain desires about how it ought to be you can't see how it is." 
   http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

2. 
   RW | Mar 26, 2003 12:45am | #2

   I think I know exactly what you're talking about. Snap together, supposedly don't need caulk, sturdy for plastic. Man, cut the DW out. There's no way to leave those fins out there and make it look ok. It'd be like putting a window on a house and leaving the nailing fin on top of siding, only these are bigger. Incidentally, dead level is a bear with those sometimes. Everything has to be just so to snap together. Set the tub dead level, get the sides on, pull them as tight to the framing as you can, and if you have to, shim it out on top. I've done a couple of them. They're good aesthetically once installed, but they can be a pain if it's a remod and everything isn't perfectly plumb and level in the room.

   " If you kill a man, it is a tragedy. If you kill a million, it is a statistic." - Josepf Stalin, attributed.

3. 
   RalphWicklund | Mar 26, 2003 05:05am | #3

   Some of those 3-piece units are a bit flimsy - but you didn't say what you really have. The surround might benefit from the support of the installed rock and if you cut out the rock and the drain is already in then you have another thing to correct. The alcove may not be sized properly so if you remove the rock you'd end up reframing the whole thing to accommodate the unit.

   Put the surround in over the rock and nail through the tabs, rock and into the studs behind. Fur the area above and around the surround (on each stud) to make up for the thickness of the mounting tabs. Somewhere between 1/8" and 1/4" strips depending on the surround. Install another layer of rock which will now nicely cover the mounting flanges as if you did it right the first time. Bead it, tape it, mud it and call it a good job.

1. 
   Databoy | Mar 26, 2003 03:21pm | #5

   The unit is fairly strong, fiberglas but does gain support from the rock. Matter of fact the last time I did one of these, inspector told me to back it with rock for firecode. You're right about the drain. If I remove the rock it throws the surround back 1/2" on 3 sides. I'd have to shift the base (& drain...) to correct. Major PITA.  I am dreaming about some type of fitted trim that would install over the mounting tabs, but your suggestion about furring & a 2nd layer of rock is more realistic. Thanks.

   Niko

1. 
   mrhodes | Mar 26, 2003 11:33pm | #9

   I agree totally with Ralph.  Matter of a fact that is what I was going to recommend but he beat me to it.  I've done dozens and dozens of tubs like this.  It produces the best look.  Just make sure that you do put up furring strips or else the drywall will have a noticable curve where it goes over the flanges.  I've seen people try to skip the furring strips. 

   Edited 3/26/2003 4:35:27 PM ET by mrhodes

4. 
   Mooney | Mar 26, 2003 06:30am | #4

   I only see one way for quick and exellent .

   Hold the surround up to the wall and mark the foot print tabs and all. [outline the whole surround with pencil on the drywall]

   Cut the outline and and remove that portion of drywall.  Install surround as it will fit like a glove. Hot mud the tabs with 30 minute durabond  and finish like normal. Thats how you get in and out in a day with an exellent job.

   Tim Mooney

1. 
   Databoy | Mar 26, 2003 03:24pm | #6

   Tim,

   Problem is, the whole base & drain would have to shift back 1/2" because the surround fits flush to the sides of the base. This is what I'm trying to avoid...

1. 
   Mooney | Mar 26, 2003 03:40pm | #7

   I guess what you are saying is that you have the base already installed and plumbed . You know da rules .........

   Tim Mooney

1. 
   PeteKoski | Mar 26, 2003 08:00pm | #8

   Yup...OOps

   Install tabs on top of your current sheetrock then cover 3 walls with 1/4" sheetrock? 

    

    

1. 
   Mooney | Mar 27, 2003 06:48am | #10

   That would work if you wanted to do it . The thing about trim around the tub is you have to mill it and that would be wood. Then it would peel .

   Tim Mooney

2. 
   PeteKoski | Mar 27, 2003 12:27pm | #11

   Must be missing something here?  I dont mean installing wood around the shower.  I mentioned installing 1/4" sheetrock over the three walls that the shower is attached to thereby covering the flanges. 

    

    

3. 
   Mooney | Mar 27, 2003 03:31pm | #12

   I thought that would work fine if ya wanted to do it . I thought I said it . Sorry I ran the trim thing in there with it, my numness .  

   Tim Mooney

   Edited 3/27/2003 8:33:15 AM ET by Tim Mooney