I want to install a whirlpoot tub and take out an existing free standing shower. The shower is on a concrete slab. How difficult will the plumbing work be and what do I need to do?

Hi Anthony...

Let me know if you are still around and I'll post a response to your question, OK?

We are volunteers around here and pop in almost daily, but give us a little time to respond back and we should be able to provide enough info. To get you started!

Back to you...

Mark

Yes, I'm still around. Trying to get this project started.

Yes I'm still here. I would appreciate any and all the help I can get with this.

Hi Anthony...

First, of course, remove the shower and cut the water pipes to the shower valve to get them ready to feed the new whirlpool tub faucet.

Next, you'll need to chip up the concrete and relocate the shower drain to where the new tub drain will be located. The tub drain needs to connect to a whirlpool tub waste and overflow assembly so you'll need to connect that to the tub to determine an exact rough in for the tub drain.

The tub drain will need to reduce to 1.5" from the 2" shower drain and the tub will need its own PTRAP just below the whirlpool tub waste and overflow assembly.

Depending on the type of whirlpool tub you have, you should consider setting the whirlpool in a bedding substrate. Here, a bedding substrate (such as STRUCTOLITE) will act to support the tub and act as an insulator helping to keep the water warmer longer.

Are you installing an inline heater on this whirlpool tub? If so, you'll want to purchase it from the same manufacturer of the whirlpool tub.

The whirlpool motor needs to be "readily accessible" so you can remove the motor so you'll want to consider that when you choose a right-hand or a left-hand whirlpool tub. Depending on the whirlpool, the motor may also require some kind of grate to be installed to allow the motor to breath/not overheat. This grate can also act as the access panel for the motor... ;)

Wiring the motor is also quite special as you'll need to a dedicated circuit and special grounding to complete the job. The whirlpool tub should come with complete instructions but you'll need to consult local electrical codes to know exactly how the whirlpool and the water/waste piping need to be wired/grounded, OK?

You may also want to consider installing a timer on the whirlpool... very handy as a reminder when to get out of the tub. The location of the timer needs to be such that it cannot be reached from inside the tub.

Are you building a frame and tiling for the whirlpool tub or is this a freestanding model... let me know.

The water pipes (if copper need to be grounded in most areas) can be located to under the tub with accessible shutoffs and then connected to the new tub valve. This is pretty straight forward.

That should get you started... read up and let me know your thoughts.

Mark