My husband and I have been building our home ourselves (yes, I know all the professionals out there are cringing). It is a long term project (5 years), and we have been trying to do it ‘right’. We read a lot, visit other home sites, and try to make sure that we understand why we are doing something before we do it. In any case, my current question is this:
In new construction, when putting in a surround shower/tub (premanufactured) with vinyl flooring, it it preferable to put down the vinyl first so that it covers the subfloor under the tub, or to put in the tub and then put down the floor covering? The argument that I heard for putting down the vinyl first is that it provides protection against leakage and wet floors under the tub. Against is that you have to protect the finish flooring while installing the tub, doing all of the drywall, painting, etc. All of the new construction homes that we have seen have put in the tub first. Since we are doing the work ourselves, we can afford to put in the extra caution needed to protect the floor if that is the only reason to put the tub in first. On the other hand, we hate to make more work for ourselves than necessary. Is it worth it, are we on overkill (not the first time), other arguments I am missing….?
– Dania
Replies
One word, Overkill.
The sub floor is the least of your worries if the tub surround leaks. The best defence is to make sure the surround is properly sealed to the rest of the walls and/or tub. Is the tub and surround one piece? Or is it two or three etc... If more than one piece, than they too must be sealed properly. If one piece than it must be installed during the rough framing of the interior walls. Much easier that way.
I did say overkill, but it won't hurt.
I think it depens on the tub. if it is an Acrylic based tub, or shower base. I like to set it in a mud base to give it strength. i hate stepping into a shower with a springy floor. If you put vinyl down first I am afraid the mortar won't bond . I would run it under an inch or so. just to keep it from curling up I hate that too.
"I was born in the country, razed in the city, I'm a natural born shaker from my hips to the ground"
I've seen a few sheet vinly floors shrink within 3, 4 years, if you have, you'd put it down first, yeah, pain in the butt to protect it during construction, and jumping sequence is, well, it ain't done that way.
I wouldn't worry about the subfloor.
no turn left unstoned
Oh, yeah, almost forgot, if this thing is going aganst an exterior wall, insulate the stud space, insulators won't be able to reach it.
no turn left unstoned
Also make sure the vapour barrier also goes to the floor.
I'm a big "put the floor in first" guy...when it comes to cabinets! For a tub.....set the tub first and set it in a mud bed.......toilets and sinks get roughed in ...then flooring...then set....but tubs and showers are first.....
then cabinets and doors...then trim. Jeff.......Sometimes on the toll road of life.....a handful of change is good.......
My tub in the "Wife's" bathroom went in first. Then the rest including the floor. It was a tile floor though. Can see the results in the photo gallery under "wife's new bath"
Weekend- Man that is a nice can you built there. You sure you're just a weekend warrior?Half of good living is staying out of bad situations.
Yup! My real job is a big jet dr. Mechanic at Air Canada. So far, this I do for "fun".
I will try to resize the other pics of the ladder towel rack and repost. However I will be out of town this weekend. I am going to the Peterborough Lift locks in Ontario.
My Great grand father was the chief engineer after a Mr. Rogers started the project. So My GGF finished peterborough and built the Kirkfield Locks.
This is the first time I will see the locks, so it will be a lot of fun. Parcs Canada is giving the family a tour on behalf of how we are. Gonna take lots of pics and maybe post a few if you or others are willing to view.
Have a good weekend all, Bruce