New tub was installed with a new shower surround on Saturday while I was out of town. Returned home on Sun and it creaks. Told contractor when he came in today and he says it is normal and there is nothing to worry about. Also, said if it was a problem to me he would open a hole in the closet at the end of the shower and squirt some foam insulation in there. Web search says the issue is going to cause cracks in the tub and others say foam will compress and be useless. Is it really worth paying him to remove it and reinstall it with mortar underneath it?

Mfg specs do not call for mortar and even say not to worry about creaks. I will have to pay him to remove and reinstall with mortar under it, won't I? Since factory specs don't call for it and I am just being "picky".

Any advice?

KOT

You are not being picky and your contractor slipped up. I am surprised the factory specs do not address this issue, most all fiber glass and acrylic pans and tubs creak unless properly supported. Swanstone gives very detailed directions on how to do their pans. Do not allow him to squirt spray foam insulation in that space , it will raise the pan in a bubble. He must use minimal expansion foam like what we use around windows and doors. This should have been set in Structolite or modified thinset. What brand tub did you buy?

Box says it is Sterling Acclaim. The contractor bought it, I did not.

Check this installation video. It clearly directs you to use their pad or a mortar base. You contractor screwed the install and he should be biting the whole bullet on the fix. http://www.kohler.com/video/index.jsp?bcpid=980289890&bclid=1078589552&bctid=416330548

He says he used their pad and so followed their instructions. Since it is still creaking, does that mean he did not do something right or is it the manufacturer?

The installer is the weak spot here, Kohler makes a very good product and I have never had a call back. I alwys set the tubs and pans in modifed thinset.

Since it is only creaking at the back end, not up at the front, and is loud enough that it can be heard below in the kitchen, I tend to think it was the installer, as you say. My question is now this: IF he uses the minimal expansion foam will that resolve the issue or does he need to remove and redo? We had this same bathroom fixed less than 5 years ago and the work by someone else resulted in flooring issues and ceiling in family room and kitchen below. I don't want to have to pay for this bathroom ever again!

Thanks for your help, ballengerb, I really appreciate it!

Actually, I did not ask that question correctly. What I should have said is this: Is the pad normally enough support of should the contractor have known better and used the thinset instead of the pad? That is more clear on what I mean! Sorry. Did not mean to slam Sterling/Koehler!

I think the minimal foam should help but it is never recommended by any installer. The foam hardens and then the weight of the person crushes the foam cells, its all over after that. I think he should have known better, I work on my own and I know better so why shouldn't he.

Thanks! What you say makes sense. I know better than to use friends or family members of friends, but this guy's dad goes to church with my brother. I have seen his work on other things, but never on a bathroom. I hate to cause a problem, but it is better than having to live with a problem later.

I will show him your threads, as well and see what he says.

Anyone who has ever installed an acrylic shower pan or tub should know about their ability to flex under weight and that results in creaks. When we set a tub there are about 10 football sized globs of modified thinset on the floor, we set the tub and then fill it with water for about a week. Kohler does not want their tubs to be noisy so they say mortar or their pad. If the pad isn't sufficient, they don't know all the details of your construction, the installer musr use enough sense to fix it right. Good luck, the other plumbers here at AMHD will tell you pretty much the same thing, surprised they have not stopped by yet. I'll see if moving this to the plumbing site catches their attention