View Full Version : Acrylic tub seems too lightweight
Rpt72h
Sep 9, 2010, 11:20 AM
My husband bought an unused acrylic corner tub out of a manufactured home. It looks new. My concern is that it seems flimsy, it tweaks and bends while moving it around. I hate to install it, do the tile work, and find it cracks the first time my 300 lb hubby gets in to take a bath. My questions: Are they all that way? Is it okay to use? I wonder if we junk it and buy a new acrylic one at HomeDepot will we find that it is just as flimsy? ~Ronna
hontoni
Sep 9, 2010, 11:47 AM
Well, before you junk it, check out the ones at Home Depot to see how flimsy they are.
Most acrylic tubs are pretty thin. They gain a lot of strength by being installed. You need to make sure to properly attach them to the walls and support them underneath.
Professionals will mix up a bag of plaster of paris and pour that under the tub before putting it in place. You might have to build some sort of frame to contain the plaster, but probably not. Just mix it pretty thick and you should be fine. Be sure to buy the kind that sets quickly and pour it so that the bottom of the tub will contact the plaster and squash it down.
speedball1
Sep 9, 2010, 12:37 PM
Hey Ronna,
If you know the manufactures name contact them for installation instructions. If not check at a big box store to see how theirs installs.
Hontoni has the right idea. It's called "bedding" the tub although we use mortar or cement to puddle under the tub, especially around the drain for support, Although, because of hubbies weight it might be best to build a frame work holding a sheet of plywood to support the tub floor.
Good luck and let me know how you make out, Tom