Bathtub Surround Installation
Whether you are remodeling a bathroom or building one from scratch, you will likely want to install a bathtub surround around your bath and shower. Installing a surround has two major advantages over tiling. Surrounds are typically built out of three pieces that are made to form tight joints. Once these joints have been sealed with caulk they will prevent moisture from seeping into the back wall. Installing a surround is also less time consuming than tiling. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Hammer
- Galvanized nails
- Level
- Silicone caulk
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Jig saw
- Hole saw
Instructions
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1
Place the large back panel of the surround on the back edge of the tub. Make sure the bottom edge of the panel is flush with the tub.
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2
Hammer a nail into a stud above the panel so that the head of the nail covers the top edge of the panel to hold it in place.
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3
Use the level to make sure that the top of the panel is level. If it is not, remove the nail from the top and be sure that the bottom of the panel is lying flat with the rim of the tub. If the tub itself is at an angle, you may need to take additional steps to level the tub before installing the surround.
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4
Push the left and right side panels against the back panel and place a holding nail into a stud as you did in step two. Be sure that all the panels make tight junctions with each other, no larger than the thickness of a credit card.
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5
Use the level to make sure that all panels sit level and flush with the tub.
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6
Remove the holding nails and take down the panels of the surround.
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7
Take the side panel of the surround where the faucet diverter and the tub spout pipe are and hold it up to the diverter and spout. Measure where these line up on the panel and mark them on the back and front of the panel. Be sure these measurements are exact, because we will be cutting the holes for the diverter and spout in this panel.
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8
Use the hole saw to cut a circular hole where the tub spout pipe will pass through. Cut on the finished side of the surround.
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9
Cut a hole where the diverter will pass through using a jig saw on the finished side of the surround. This cut does not need to be as exact because it will be covered by the trimming pieces of the diverter.
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10
Place a line of caulk where the edges of the surround meet the tub.
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11
Install the panels of the surround by nailing through the top flange of the panels into the wall studs. Start with the back panel and be sure again the panels are level.
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12
Remove excess caulk by dragging a wet finger across the junction of the panels and the tub.
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13
Run a line of caulk between the panels of the surround and remove the excess as in the above step.
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14
Attach the fixtures to the diverter and spout.
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