So you’ve bought a new bath tub – lucky you! We bet that you just can’t wait to get it home, installed and filled with bubbles! If you’re DIY handy and fancy installing your new purchase all by yourself, you will find our guide to removing an old bath tub and installing a new one very useful.
Removing an Old Bath Tub
Disconnecting the pipes
· Switch off both the hot and cold water supply lines to the taps.
· Now open the taps to drain out any water.
· If your old bath has a side panel, remove it to gain access to the plumbing.
· Cut through the current supply lines and waste point connector using a hacksaw. Be prepared for water spillage.
Removing the bath
· Detach any current bath to wall fittings, including any fittings hidden away under tiles or bathroom wall décor.
· Next, remove the legs or supports underneath the bath.
· If there is a seal around the bath, run a craft knife around it before removing the bath.
· In the event that you don’t want to sell your old bath, it may be easier to break it up into pieces and then removing it rather than removing the door to fit it through.
Installing Your New Bath Tub
Positioning the bath
· Stand your new bath in position, adjusting the feet to an appropriate height.
· Mark the position of the bath on the wall and mark the position of your taps and waste outlet.
· Remove the bath tub.
Extending waste and water supply lines
· Extend your waste and waste supply pipes to the marked position of the taps and waste outlet.
· The position of the end of these pipes should still allow you to reposition the bath and allow you access to perform the final connections.
Assembling the taps and waste outlets
· Following the bath tub manufacturers’ instructions, assemble and fit the waste outlet and overflow pipe.
· Assemble and fix the taps also following the manufacturer’s instructions. If the taps have tail pipes with them, shape them with a saw if required and fit them to connect perfectly with your supply lines.
· If your taps don’t come with tails, cut and gently shape some lengths of copper pipe to make your own tails and fit to the taps with tap connectors.
Connecting the water lines
· Move your bath tub into your marked position and ensure that all pipes align.
· Once you are satisfied that all pipes with align correctly, fix the bath with the recommended fittings.
· Use compression fittings to connect the tails to your water supply pipes.
Connecting the waste outlets
· Connect the trap to the waste outlet and waste pipe.
· Before fitting a side panel to a bath tub, switch on the water supply and check all pipes and fittings, including waste lines, for any signs of leaks.
Once you’ve done all of that, you’ll have successfully removed and installed a bath tub. For the best results and to make the job a lot easier, recruit an additional person to help you out!New Paragraph
