View Full Version : Install Whirpool Tub
hansgreg
Nov 22, 2004, 09:40 AM
I am going to install a whirpool tub in my basement bathroom.
I have 1/2 inch copper running to the tub location.
My question is: Is it OK to use flexible connections from the 1/2 inch copper to the hot and cold tub faucet? The people at the "local home store" tell me I will lose too much water pressure if I don't run copper directly to the faucet.
Is there prehaps 1/2 inch flexible connections?. I have only seen 3/8 inch
Thanks in advance...
speedball1
Nov 22, 2004, 11:51 AM
Good afternoon Hans,
Choking down from 1/2 to 3/8 isn't going to lose that much volume or pressure. I'll bet they didn't tell you that once the water enters the mixing valve on your tub it will be choked down to 1/4" going into the cartridge inlet ports. This is true on ALL your fixtures Go ahead and use the flex connections. I can see no problems. However if you just gotta have 1/2" flex connections I could probably look some up on the net but they won't make that much difference after they're installed. Good luck and have a great "rub-a-dub" in your new whirlpool. Tom
hansgreg
Nov 22, 2004, 12:17 PM
I had noticed flex lines running from the faucets to the outlets, that's why I suspected I had bad information...
This is really a high quality forum... always quick knowledgeable answers!
Now it's on to figuring out how to install the tub...
Thanks again!
speedball1
Nov 22, 2004, 12:47 PM
If I can help just click on back with a question. Cheers, Tom
hansgreg
Nov 22, 2004, 01:57 PM
When I set the Tub in place, do I need to set it in a bed of Mortar?
The Concrete floor is quite level where the Tub will go.
I do have to chip out some concrete to get the tub drain into the plumbing rough-in, so perhaps using mortar is the way to go. If I do use a bed of mortar what type would be best?
speedball1
Nov 22, 2004, 04:07 PM
To provide a solid base and prevent the tub floor from "give" when you step into it we puddle a mound of common cement under the tub and let it mash down when we set the tub on top of it. We let the cement harden before we get into the tub to work on it. More questions? I'm as close as a click.
Tom
labman
Nov 22, 2004, 07:15 PM
Pluming is great here with Tom. There are some other areas we could use more good people. I struggle in some other areas where there isn't anybody as good as Tom.
hansgreg
Nov 23, 2004, 10:11 AM
This may sound like a silly question, but my tub came with packed with 2" thick hard foam "spacers" glued to the bottom of the tub....I was planning on leaving them in place before I "set the tub in mortar"... Perhaps I should remove them? Maybe their only purpose is for shipping the tub. The tub will need to be this high, or the floor lower under the drain...
speedball1
Nov 23, 2004, 01:00 PM
Don't put cement under them but leave the spacers. They provide support for the tub floor. Puddle cement higher the spacers any where you think the tub floor might give.