Install fitted bath + tiling

mqandy

Hello, I'm desperate to do this job before the my father in law gets a chance to muscle in...

I'm looking to replace a plastic freestanding bath with a fitted steel *standard* one. (taps at one end, gets built in to some sort of frame...).

At the same time I want to tile the walls surrounded the bath.

My question is, what order do I do the above, and what's involved in fitting the bath?

As I understand it:

Fit legs to bath.
Lay on top of a plank.
Attach taps.
Fix bath to wall... (the longside wall is a plasterboard / studs type).
Build some sort of frame around the front and end of the bath.
Tile down to bath and seal.

Is that order correct, anything I've missed?

Any tips on putting a frame type thing around it once in place??

Thanks!

phill99

That's the correct order. Building the 'frame' is difficult to describe. The only thing I would add is that when you fit the bath to the wall, make sure you put loads of mastic between the wall and the side 'lip' to the bath. This is a belt and braces approach and will help ensure that you don't get any leaks between the tiles and the bath. Obviously you also mastic once you have tiled.

southcoastrgi

as phill said but fit the taps & waste before you put the bath in (much easier) & get "top hats" yes that's what they are called (square plastic washers) that go under the bath on the taps before you put the nuts on, after you finish tiling & before you mastic between the the bath & the tiles fill the bath up with water to the overflow then mastic & leave the water in the bath for 24 hrs to allow the mastic to go off.

mqandy

Sounds like you'd both suggest tiling first then mastic onto the tiles?

Going to stare at some internet photos of bath frames...

mqandy

Oh, also... Does it matter that the floor of the bathroom is already tiled?

ie. I'd be installing everything on top of tiles (as they are already there and I really don't want the added work of a new floor!)

southcoastrgi

sorry just read your last post NO don't tile first fit the bath then tile onto the top of it.

as phill said put the bath in place then mastic the bath to the wall filling up any gaps this will stop any water going through any grouting & running down the wall under the bath plus it will fix the bath in situ, then tile to the bath then a final mastic seal with the bath full of water, don't tile first then fit the bath you will never get the bath fixed to the wall or get a water tight seal & what a waste of tiles that you will never see.

southcoastrgi

no it makes no diff if the floor is tiled, just don't fit the front panel then tile upto it you will never get it off again.

fit bath, tile, fit front panel, fill bath & mastic.

mqandy

Thanks guys!