Intalling New Bathtub/Surround

[dmarino55]

Have manuf. home, looking to install std. 54x27 tub with 3 piece surround. Tore off old drywall and it had a lot of mold near where surround meets the tub, and on the other side of the tub where faucets hooked up.

Does it make sense to install tub and then surround direct to studs? Materials indicate either way, but I am unsure how sound the surround could be attached to studs only vs. being glued to an entire wall.

If installing drywall, should I use that new greenboard material?

If installing drywall, how do you seal the top of the surround against water infiltration, and then how do you seal the bottom where the tub meets it?

Finally, looks like poly pipes connected to plastic threads to fixture (and leaked a lot in the past) . Should I patch in PEX then use a metal thread to be more reliable?


Any other best practices you would recommend?

[admin]

"As a general rule, replacing a bathtub is NOT considered a do-it-yourself project -- especially if your changing the type and size of the tub. Changing anything means refiguring the drainlines, vents and waterlines and that can get a bit tricky and frustrating. But if your old tub is cracked or damaged and you simply wish to replace it with the same kind, then the project becomes more manageable."

Before you start this project read the entire online guide Replacing a Manufactured Home Bathtub by Mark Bower. It offers a step by step method for replacing your tub complete with photos of most of the significant steps and great suggestions that will help prevent you from having to go back and do any part of this job twice.

We have replace dozens of tubs and it is never a good idea to put the surround directly on the studs. Most surrounds are designed to be applied to dry wall. Installing directly to the studs will leave you with a very flimsy wall area. Using green board is a great idea as it is designed for installations in the wet areas of homes and will hold up better for a much longer time than standard dry wall.

I dont like sealing the tub surround, especially at the bottom. I like to leave it so that any water that gets behind the surround can escape out the bottom. Trapped water will cause more mold. Paint the green board with several coats of a high quality water resistant paint. Use a surround that is taller than the shower spout so it is difficult for much water to get behind the surround.

When ever we do a plumbing renovation we replace all of the pipe that we can, especially above the floor with PEX or standard PVC and CPVC. This limits the need to revisit these areas for quiet some time. Replace the existing faucets diverters and other parts with top quality plumbing fixtures that will be less likely to have leak problems over time.

If your looking for a book that covers all facets of manufactured home repair, take a look at Marks Manual for Manufactured Home Repair & Upgrade

The repair and upgrade techniques described in this manual are specific to manufactured homes. This book will answer almost every question on manufactured home repair that we have ever heard. Not only does this book show you how to repair and maintain your home, but also great methods for upgrading it.

This great book is now available in print version and now also in e-book version for instant download.