4
SITE PREPARATION
• The site should be cleared of debris and vacuumed. This will
ensure that the bath is leveled properly and that no dirt can be
sucked into the bath’s systems preventing possible damage.
• The floor should be checked for level and solidness. The level
should be in a range that can be compensated for by the use of
adjustment shims. An average sized bath can weigh as much as
450 kg (1000 lbs) when full, the floor must be able to support
this weight.
• An opening of 15cm x 30cm (6” x 12”) needs to be cut into the
floor for the bath drain and overflow
(see fig.1)
. Make sure that
there are no obstructions in this space.
• The plumbing rough-in for both the drain and the supply lines
should be completed by a competent and accredited plumber
before the bath is moved into its final position.
• For baths equipped with a Whirlpool, Mass-air, Activ-air, Lighting sys-
tem or inline water heater all electrical connections should be com-
pleted by a competent and accredited electrician. Each system
must be hooked-up to a dedicated 15 amp ground fault circuit
interrupter (GFCI) breaker, or where allowed by law to a regular
breaker with a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet.
RECESSED INSTALLATION
When the plans call for installation of the bath in a recess (i.e.
encased between 2 or 3 walls) we suggest that the following
installation procedure be followed:
•
Step 1:
The bath overflow and drain should now be installed by
a competent certified plumber according to the overflow manu-
facturers instructions, and conforming to local building codes.
•
Step 2:
The bath should be set in position and leveled using
adjustment shims under all of the bath’s feet. Some baths are
equipped with adjustable metal feet and can be adjusted by
rotating each foot to the desired height. The bath should be
leveled longitudinally first, by placing a long level along the bath
deck closest to the wall
(see fig. 2)
. It can then be leveled from
front to back by adjusting the shims under the front feet.
When
installing the optional bath skirt for Helena and Daphne
baths, the bath must be installed at the specific heights
shown in table 1.
Table 1
•
Step 3:
Using a pencil mark the wall studs directly under the
lip of the deck
(see fig. 2).
If you intend to set the bath in a
mortar bed the position of the feet should be marked too.
•
Step 4:
Remove the bath so that you have access to the walls.
•
Step 5:
Cut supports for the bath deck from 1”x 2” stock.
The supports should be long enough to support the entire
length of the bath. These supports are fastened to the wall
studs with the top of the support at the level of the marks from
step 2
(see fig. 3)
.
•
Step 6:
Mortar bed (optional, recommended for tub/shower
installations and baths with an integral skirt.)
NOTICE: When
using mortar to support a bath equipped with a Mass-air
system, the mortar should be under the feet only. Under no
circumstances should the mortar come into contact with
the piping and fittings underneath the bath.
Freshly mixed
mortar should now be placed on the floor where the bath’s feet
will land (marked out in step 2)
(see fig. 4)
.
•
Step 7:
Apply a generous bead of construction adhesive along
the top of the 1”X2” support strips
(see fig. 5)
. This will prevent
the bath from shifting and also compensates for the uneven-
ness of the fiberglass reinforcement under the deck.
•
Step 8:
Set the bath into position. Check that the bottom of
the deck comes into contact with the support strips.
If you
opted to use a mortar bed
, check that the mortar has
squeezed out and that the feet are supported. Add more
mortar if necessary.
If you did not use a mortar bed
, the shims
should be replaced under the feet, and glued in place with con-
struction adhesive.
Plywood Floor
Drain
centre
1
5
c
m
6
"
30cm
12"
Fig. 1
Shims
Mark studs
Pencil
mark
1" x 2" support
INSTALLATION HEIGHT FOR SKIRT,
under bath
BATH TYPE
lip to the top of the finished floor (ceramic tile)
Helena
46 cm (18”)
Daphne
46 cm (18”)
M
o
rt
a
r
Pencil outline of feet
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
