I am attempting to build a raised tub to use as a dog wash in my laundry room. I would like the tub bottom to be about 24" off the floor so that I can easily wash my dog and not have to bend over. So far I have constructed a frame from 2x4s that is 24" high for the tub to sit on, do I have to put plywood on top (I put supports evenly spaced in the center) If so, what thickness? Is there any problem with having the tub at this height? I also built a wall 48" high on one side so that the tub now sits between a full height wall and the 48" high wall. I plan to tile a surround above the tub and on the sides. Any suggestions or corrections would be helpful.

Thanks

Hey Gizmo...

Tell me... how are you planning to DRAIN this tub.. And how is WATER being supplied?

Backflow prevention will be very important here. I am assuming you will have a hand held shower that you use to wash the dog. You will need to install a vacuum breaker at the outlet for the hand held unit in order to meet plumbing code requirements.

Are you planning to indirectly drain this tub to drain or attach drain solid to tub or is this going to drain outside..?

Are you planning to tile the tub platform as well as the walls..?

Get back to me with as much information as possible so can advise best... hard to say how thick plywood or concrete board should be at platform without knowing how you have designed this.

Thanks... Mark

Hi Mark,

Thanks for the quick response. My laundy used to have a sink on the wall that the plumbing end of the tub will be on. With the tub raised the drain now sits about where the laundry room sink drain was. The hand held shower head I purchased already has a vacuum breaker in it so I should be good there. The tub itself is a basic 60" front skirt enameled steel tub so I built the platform just about 6" wider than the tub to there will be a 6" lip at the front edge. Water is being supplied with a standard tub faucet and a shower head that we are going to mount lower so that we can reach it for the hand held unit. I scuba dive so the tub will also be used to soak gear as well, hence the tub faucet to fill with water. Basically the tub is installed exactly as it would be if it were on the floor, the only think is I raised the "floor" 24".

Let me know if I need to give you more information.

Thanks

You just need to be very sure that you have this supported very well.

First, I would install a quick ledger strip on back wall (in this case, just a 1" x 4"x 4' 6" piece of pressure treated wood, screwed to back wall level so back area of tub SITS on edge of ledger strip level!!

Then I would install 5/8" plywood on top of 2" x 4" framing for tub for added strength and support. Then lock the tub in place by adding another layer of 5/8 " in front of the tub the 6" width you mentioned (or lock in using 1/2" hardibacker I mention in next paragraph...;) ).

And then I say you have a tub installed very well. If you want to make this a great job then you want to install 1/2" hardibacker cement board on walls, then tile... will last longer than greenboard or sheetrock.

Let me know if you need more from me... ;) Good day... Mark

Mark,

Thanks for your advice, will do. By the way, can you help me actually GET the dog in the bath once I get it built!! :rolleyes:

Sounds like you have that handled now... sounds like a great idea. As I get older I hate bending over tub to even wash it... never mind bath a dog!!

Good luck!! Mark