Acrylic baths today are gradually replacing other varieties of similar plumbing. They are made from lightweight, practical material. At the same time, the cost of acrylic bathtubs remains acceptable to buyers. For them to last a long time, you need to properly mount the bowl. This procedure can be performed independently. How to mount an acrylic bathtub to the wall will be discussed later.
Features of acrylic
Installation of an acrylic bathtub can be done independently. This is due to the characteristics of this material. It is lightweight and practical. Therefore, products from it are much easier to install in the bathroom than, for example, cast-iron or steel bowls.
The advantage of acrylic bathtubs is the variety of their shapes and sizes. If desired, you can purchase a straight, angular, figured bowl. For any style of interior, you can choose the right option. Therefore, wanting to dorepair and replace the bath, the owners of houses and apartments most often opt for acrylic plumbing.
It is also worth noting that bathtubs of different sizes are on sale. They may be quite small. In this category, an acrylic bathtub with a 150x70 cm frame is most often purchased. However, other sizes are in demand. The choice depends on the size of the tub.
Acrylic has a high ability to retain heat. The water in such a bowl will not cool quickly. At the same time, the inner surface is easy to clean and does not turn yellow during operation. This is true for products made from high quality acrylic. Baths in this case serve for several decades.
During the installation process, it is important to properly fix the bathtub in its place. If this work is done incorrectly, the bowl will be deformed. This is a shortcoming of the presented material. However, it can be easily fixed by proper installation.
Sustainability
Installation of an acrylic bathtub does not have to be trusted by professionals. This work can be done independently if desired. To do this, you need to take into account that the stability of this product in different planes is not the same. So, in the vertical direction, the structure on the legs is stable. Manufacturers create such supports that could support the weight of a bowl of water. It's easy to feel when you stand inside the tub.
However, in the horizontal plane, the material cannot boast of stability. Out of balance in this direction bowls made of acrylic as well as steelcome out quickly. If the bathtub is left to move horizontally during installation, the sewer connection may be damaged.
It is also worth noting that an acrylic bath 170 cm long in a bathroom with dimensions, for example, 180 × 200 cm, can adjoin only one side to the wall. In this case, its side parts remain unfixed. The tightness of the joint between the wall and the bathroom is sure to be broken over time if other fastener options are not provided.
For a bowl made of acrylic, it is important to choose one of the correct installation options. This will securely fix the bowl in a horizontal plane, avoiding trouble in the future.
Wall mounting
If you want to fasten an acrylic bathtub 170, 180, 150 cm wide or other size, you can place it in one of four positions. The following options are available:
- Near one wall.
- In the corner. The bathtub is in contact with the long and short sides of two walls.
- In a niche close. The bowl is fixed between three walls.
- Island location. The bathtub does not contact any wall, it is located in the center of the room.
It is believed that the most durable installation option is to install the bath in a niche. This can be done in typical Khrushchev. In such apartments, the bathroom is very small. Therefore, by purchasing an acrylic bathtub 150x70 with or without a frame, you can ensure that plumbing fixtures are securely fixed between three walls. Ifthe room is spacious, such an installation will be more difficult to perform. You will need to build another partition to create a niche of the required size.
However, there are many ways that allow you to firmly fix the bath. It may not contact the walls at all. True, it is much more convenient when the plumbing is not located in the center of the room. This option is only suitable for owners of very spacious rooms.
To perform the correct installation, you need to use special clamps. The fastening material must firmly hold the bathtub in the wall. Its main element should be bent up. This will allow him to get close to the wall below. The side of the bath is put on fasteners. So he can snuggle close to the wall from below.
In order for the latches to perform their functions, it is necessary to perform accurate marking, as well as control the position of all components during installation.
Factory fasteners
How is an acrylic bath attached to the wall? There are several options for such fixation. A reinforced steel frame may be included in the scope of delivery. This is a prefabricated structure, which is made of a steel profile (square section). This frame is attached to the bottom of the bath. The structure bears the weight of the bathtub, water and a person, evenly distributing the load on the support posts, horizontal structural elements.
Installing an acrylic bath on a frame with your own hands is easy. The design allows you to firmly fix the bowl. She can beinstall even in the center of the room. She won't wobble. However, not always in the delivery set there is a similar frame. Sometimes, in order to save money, the manufacturer replaces it with two cross bars. They have short legs. In this case, do-it-yourself installation of an acrylic bathtub on a frame should be done next to the wall.
It is worth noting that simply propping the bowl against a vertical surface will not be enough. Over time, it will begin to move away from the wall. There will be a gap between it and the bathroom. To prevent this from happening, fixing the acrylic bath is carried out using special brackets. They can be purchased from a specialized store.
Before fixing the bath with brackets, it is recommended to glue the side with double-sided tape or sanitary sealant. After that, the product is attached to the wall with brackets. This option is also suitable if the owners want to finish the outer side of the plumbing with tiles.
Insert into a niche
Considering the existing ways of attaching the bath to the wall, it should be noted such an option as inserting into a niche. It is suitable for a room in which there is not even a rough finish yet. To perform such an installation, a strobe is cut out in the wall. It must be created at the correct height.
To do this, the structure is assembled, installed on legs. Then it is attached to the wall. The installation height of the bath is determined. A line is made according to the level of its side. Moreover, it must be taken into account that tiles can still be laid on the floor, which is whythe height of the base will rise. The edge of the rim of the bath will have to enter the strobe and rest on its edge inside the wall. The cutout must be at least 5 cm deep.
When the bath is installed in the place intended for it, the tile is installed on the wall. The joint is coated with sealant.
Metal corners
If the room has already been finished, you can use metal corners. First, the installation height of the bath is determined. At the required level, holes are created using a perforator. Dowels are inserted into them. Next, corners are applied to the wall (if necessary, holes are also made in them). The lock rod is screwed into the prepared seat.
The side of the bath is put on this corner. He will rely on her. Next, you just need to coat the joints with sealant.
Step-by-step instructions for fixing to brackets
Fastening the side of an acrylic bathtub to the wall is most often done using brackets, corners or brackets. Installation in this case occurs according to the same method. It is worth considering in more detail.
First you need to do the right markup. A line is drawn on the wall, which corresponds to the location of the edge of the bath rim. For this, the structure is assembled using a factory frame or cross bars with legs. The adjusting screws of the latter must be set to the middle position.
To mount the acrylic bathtub to the wall, the bowl is placed against a vertical surface. On the side, markings are made on the wall. It is important to find out the features of adjusting the legs horizontally. Subsequentlyyou will need to adjust the height to the height of the fasteners. The markup is checked using a level. It must be even. Otherwise the tub will be skewed.
Finishing installation
Next, the selected type of fixture for the bath is installed. Fasteners are embedded in the wall. For this, a puncher or a powerful electric drill is used in the work. After that, the assembled design of the bath and the frame is installed on the brackets. The bead should engage with the latches.
After that, using the adjusting screws on the legs, adjust the height of the bath. Its position is checked using the building level. Only after the bowl is in the correct position, you can connect the siphon. There are also plumbing connections. After that, the room can be finished (if it has not been created earlier). The joint between the bathroom and the wall is treated with sealant.
It is worth noting that these recommendations apply to conventional acrylic bathtubs. If the design provides for hydromassage, it is better to entrust the installation to professionals. In this case, the operation of the system requires the correct connection not only to plumbing communications, but also to electronics. Therefore, it will be difficult to do such an installation with your own hands. Specialists will be able not only to correctly connect all the elements of the system, but also firmly fix the bath near the wall.
Brick frame
In addition to attaching an acrylic bathtub to the wall with brackets, corners, you can resort to a more radical method. It allows you to firmly fix the structure, eliminatingthe likelihood of it breaking down. This method involves the construction of a brick frame.
In this case, a wall of the required height is built from blocks and cement mortar. In this case, it must be taken into account that there must be a distance between the bottom of the bath and the floor. A brick wall should not be monolithic. It should have a hole that provides access to the siphon.
Using bricks and mortar, a niche is built in the bathroom. It will have a bathtub. You can start construction work only after acquiring a bath. A niche is created specifically for the specific dimensions of plumbing. This method involves inserting bolts into the wall, on which the bath will rest on the opposite side.
Between the bottom of the bath and the base of the room, it is recommended to lay a layer of mounting foam. In this case, it will be almost impossible to damage the back of the bowl. Also, a special mounting film is laid down. When installing the bath in the prepared space, water must be drawn into it. So she will sit better in a niche.
The bathtub is installed in the created niche only after the mortar and mounting foam are completely dry. All seams are then treated with sanitary silicone.
Some newbie mistakes
Fixing an acrylic bathtub to the wall can be done by inexperienced craftsmen. To install the bowl correctly, you need to consider a few simple tips. Some beginners make mistakes when fixing plumbing to the wall. As a resultthe bath staggers, the joint, sealed with sealant, begins to let water through. If no action is taken, the drain system or tub body may be damaged.
To avoid problems later, do not think that by moving the bath close to the wall and covering the joint with sealant or a special solution, you can achieve good fixation. To achieve this, you need to use brackets, brackets or other appropriate fasteners. You can also make a cut into the wall, creating a strobe. However, ordinary mortar or sealant will not be able to firmly fix the bath against the wall.
It is also worth noting that many craftsmen cover the joints with gypsum-based solutions. Of course, such compositions are distinguished by whiteness. But gypsum mixtures are categorically not suitable for wet rooms. Therefore, when creating a finish, you need to use special sealants in white or transparent color. They should include antiseptic components. Thanks to the use of sanitary sealant, fungus and mold will not form at the joints.
Having considered how to mount an acrylic bathtub to the wall, you can do the installation yourself correctly. Plumbing in this case will last a long time, will not loosen and collapse.
