[jennifer-griffi]

My husband is redoing our bathroom and a friend gave us a jacuzzi tub, my husband is in construction but never installed a jacuzzi tub. How do we do it.. does he build the wall around it first then drop it in or hook it up then build the wall... PLEASE HELP before my bathroom never gets done...

[speedball1]

I Googled "installing a jucuzzi tub and got so many hits that I advise you to do the same. I can help with the plumbing but we do mostly new construction and warranty service so the tub's already framed in when I get on the job site. Perhaps one of our remodel experts can help you much better then I. Good luck, Tom

[Milo Dolezal]

You have 2 types of jacuzzi tubs: 1. self-rimming or 2. under-mount . You are not specifying which one you have. Therefore:

If it is self-rimming (aka drop-in) tub than you build a pedestal first, cover it with 3/4" ply, cut out with jig-saw exactly the shape of the tub - less about 1" all the way around. Pedestal should be about 2" higher then the actual depth of the tub. Tile and finish the pedestal as you please. Grout. If you plan on installing faucet on to the edge of the tub or the deck itself then install your faucet now. Install your rough-in overflow. Mix 2 bags of mortar or topping mix. Put it in in the middle on your floor inside the pedestal in one large blob. Take the tub and gently sit it on top of the concrete blob. Take your shoes off, put towel inside the tub, step in and gently shake with your body until tub sits so low that edges touch top of the pedestal evenly on all four sides. Stop shaking. Exit the tub. Make sure tub is straight with edges of the pedestal. Use tape to measure distances. Push with hand as needed. You'll have about 15 minutes to work with it. Once it dries you won't be able to move it. Also, you don't want to break the concrete "grip" when concrete is in advanced stage of setting. Once that grip is broken, tub will float in the pedestal. Let it dry overnight. Next day, connect overflow into the house drain via service door. Use same door to connect faucet with h/c water supplies. Caulk or grout along the edge of the tub.

If it is under mounted tub, than you install it in the same fashion - but directly on rough framing. Tile goes either over it or to it. You will probably have faucet installed on the deck itself. When tub in, tile installed and grouted, you will drill holes for faucet and spout. Install all faucet components through service door. This is little harder to do then in drop-in installation but it is doable.