Many owners want to have in their possessions such an element of plumbing that is gaining popularity as a built-in bathtub. It is not available to everyone, but it looks luxurious. You can not build a bath in every home.
This element will be massive and heavy, so the floors in an apartment building are unlikely to withstand such a load. But the owners of private ownership can please themselves with such luxury, but it is also worth considering the required load, preferably at the design stage. There are several ways to build a bathtub. But most often it is installing it on the podium or on the floor.
Restrictions when embedding a bathtub
The first is free space. The bath will look better if it is large in volume, not less than 300 liters. If you install a small structure in this way, it will look ridiculous and awkward.
How canbuild a bath in an apartment building? There is an unequivocal answer to this question - it is impossible. As a last resort, if the configuration allows, installation is possible only on the ground floor.
The room should have a place for a shower, as it is not very convenient to take hygienic water procedures in such a bath.
Differences
Difference between floor and standard bath:
- This design visually increases space and saves space.
- Tub bottom is flat.
- It is equipped with drains that drain excess water from the outside.
- More reliable drain mechanism.
Material
You can build a bathtub from any material. The main thing is that the weight of the structure is correctly calculated. Cast iron is different in terms of durability. But it is also the heaviest material. Acrylic is the best option. The bath from it can have any configuration and size. Also, the material is in no way inferior to the usual metal bathtubs in terms of thermal insulation.
Shape
Oval is the most popular option. Usually has large dimensions. It is suitable for bathing several people at the same time. In addition, you can install it both in the center of the room and closer to the wall.
The round version will add uniqueness and originality to any room. It is better to place the form in the center. Then it will be more effective. And if you arrange decorative lighting in a circle, you get just a fabulous interior.
It is the corner option that will help to build a bath into a small space. It will save space, but will look no less beautiful.
Additional options
In addition to the main function, the built-in bath initially has additional ones. It can be ozonation, decorative lighting, jacuzzi. There are also options with various kinds of hydromassages, and even imitation of sea waves.
Installing the structure in the podium
How to build a bath into the podium? This question is asked by many owners who make repairs. This will make the room more functional and comfortable.
The material for the podium can be drywall, foam block or brick.
- The first stage of installation will be to install the bathtub on a leveled base and connect to the drain.
- Next, mark the contours of the future base. To do this, a plumb line is applied to the edge of the bath and a point on the floor is marked, later they are connected with a marker.
- The podium wall will be built along a line that is marked in depth from the base line by the thickness of the cladding material.
- It is also necessary to provide an opening through which communications will be available in case of an emergency. Such a window can be decorated with facing tiles. It can be easily dismantled if necessary.
- Brick and foam block materials will become reliable in design. But with their arrangement, difficulty arises due to differences in the size of the bath from below and above. Elements require undercutting for further installation. Before embedding a bath in a tile, the wall mustlevel and plaster.
- Drywall is better to choose moisture resistant. It will need a rigid frame device, otherwise the wall from it will vibrate. This will not allow the tile to hold for a long time. The installation of a metal profile fastened with self-tapping screws or rivets is suitable.
- Also, with a drywall wall, you can arrange a frame from corners fastened by welding. Either option must be secured to the floor or wall.
- Before you build a bath into the podium, you can foresee niches for storing small items in its lower part. This will save space.
- When making a podium of several levels, its steps can be filled with expanded clay or cinder concrete or laid out of blocks or bricks.
- The steps will be the width of the tile (22-25 cm).
- Prevent injury due to slippery tiles will help the relief profile of the edging.
Installation of the structure in the floor
Properly equipped receiver will help to properly build a bath into the floor. To do this, it is enough to dig a hole, clad the walls and floor with concrete, thereby providing the necessary space for the operation of the bath.
The receiver device has several nuances:
- Its contours should follow the shape of the bath, and its top should be completely covered by the sides of the bath structure. When lowering the bath into the receiver, it can lean on its sides. In this case, the bearing area should be as large as possible.
- The depth of the pit is calculated from the conditions that the legs of the bath will be unscrewed alongmaximum, by about 5 cm, and after installation they will return to their normal position. Thus, the structure should lie on the finished floor, but at the same time not completely rest on it.
- It is necessary to equip access to the receiver in order to connect and install the bath.
- Water pipes are brought to the pit and sewerage is taken out.
Now you can proceed to the direct assembly of the bath:
- First of all, the drain siphon is installed and the legs are attached.
- Next, the bath is arranged in a receiver, after unscrewing the legs to the maximum.
- After the sewer pipe is connected, and only then the water supply. It is better to use in this case not flexible hoses, but a metal corrugated stainless steel hose.
- At the end of the installation, you need to test the capacity. To do this, pour as much water as possible, check the sewerage system and the sealing of the connections.
- Lower the legs of the bathtub only after laying the floor.
Tips
The best material for a built-in bath is acrylic. From it, the design will be light and reliable. The sides when arranging a bath in the floor should be high. This will prevent water from overflowing while diving or moving. The ideal solution would be the arrangement of a warm floor.
This will not only make it comfortable to step on the floor when exiting, but also solve the problem of puddles. Additional features are selected based on individual needs.
The built-in bath is the center of attention in itself, so the surrounding detailsit is better to choose discreet so as not to distract from the main building. The floor can be tiled with any classic option, or you can resort to modern 3D technology and turn the room into something unique. It all depends on your imagination and financial capabilities.
An overflow tray will also become an important element here, which will collect excess water and drain it into the sewer. Close it with a grate. You can also arrange horizontal sliding doors.
So, we figured out how to build a bath into the podium, and not only.
