[Snap96]

My home was roughed in for a basement bathroom when it was built and I'm now in the process of finishing the bsmt.

There is a wood 12"x14" frame in the concrete where the bathtub piping is located a few inches under the gravel. The wood frame is not flush with the concrete and sticks up a couple inches above the concrete. I knocked out one side and then thuoght maybe I shouldn't have done that.

Can the wood frame be removed completely? The reason I ask is that I'm installing dricore subfloor panels so the wood frame protrusion poses a problem when laying the panels. I was thinking about removing the wood frame and laying the dricore over the opening making sure to cut the panels to have access to the piping below. Once the plumber installs the proper connections do you fill in the 12x14 hole with concrete or gravel?

Thanks for your help.

[massplumber2008]

Hi Snap:

You are supposed to remove the wood frame so remove the other 3 pieces and you're all set. Once the plumber finishes his work you can leave it as it is... no need to fill.

What kind of tub is getting installed? If fiberglass or acrylic talk to the plumber and check to see that he plans to set the tub in a bedding sustrate (mortar or structolite). If the manufacturer of the tub recommends it then it's a good idea to do because it reduces creaking noises from the tub.. also acts as an insulator if you take baths... ;)

Mark

[Milo Dolezal]

The wood box most likely covers drain pipe for tub. But it may also cover drain for toilet - but that we won't know unless you post picture of your floor showing the situation.

If the box covers tub drain than I would recommend not to install floor panels under the tub. Tub should seat directly on concrete. As Mark already stated there is no need to fill-in the void after the box is removed.

If this box covers inlet for toilet than you can remove the wooden box, fill-in hole with concrete, run floor panels over the entire area with cut-out so you can glue closet ring to the pipe later on.

[Snap96]

Thanks for your help. Exactly what I was looking for.