DIY Network

Claw Foot Tub Installation: New Plumbing From "Weekend Remodeling" episode WKR-305

	Before: This garden tub just didn't suit the homeowner's taste any longer.
	After: a spacious and elegant new claw foot tub.

On a project difficulty scale of 1-5 (5 being most difficult), this project rates a 3.

Materials:

Cement board
Screws
Thin-set
Wall mastic
Ceramic tile
Spacers
Tile grout
Rubber grout float
Sponge and water
Claw foot bathtub
Plumbing fixtures
Exposed pipes
Various pipes, elbows and connectors
PVC glue
Solder
Torch
Plumbers putty
Trowel
Pry bar
Cold chisel
Tape measure
Allen wrenches
Level
Hammer
Utility knife
Tile cutter
Wet saw
Drill
Paddle bit
Sponge
Framing square
Speed square
Caulk gun and caulk
Hole saw
Pipe cutter
Tile nippers
Tube cutter
Chalk line
Safety glasses
Dust mask
2 x 4
Drywall
Joint compound
Hack saw
Floor scraper

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F
	Figure G
	Figure H

1. Turn off water main, then cut plumbing back to general area of new holes. Remove excess pipe sections.

2. To re-route the supply lines, first clean all of the fittings with a wire pipe brush (figure A). Add flux to the ends and assemble the section of pipe that turns upward toward the tub.

3. Sweat the fitting for the end of the vertical supply line (figure B), then insert into the elbow added to the end of the existing run (figure C).

4. Wedge a piece of pipe underneath the new one to hold steady, then sweat the remaining joints.

5. Set the drain line to its new location by applying PVC pipe cleaner, followed by glue to the outside of the pipe and the inside of the reducer fitting (figure D). Add an elbow, then build the "P" trap.

6. Add the last piece -- the vertical pipe that will connect at the hole and screw onto the extension tube from the bathtub drain.

7. Position the new tub near the new location, and add the new drain to tub. Add plumbers putty (figure E) around the strainer and tighten down flush with tub surface.

8. Connect the overflow (figure F), tighten the coupling nut at the drain, then tighten the retainer nut at the overflow hole.

9. Install the stopper assembly on the tub, then assemble the lower drain extension. Place the drain extension into the hole in the floor, move tub into position and align over the extension drain (figure G). Tighten the nut to hold in place.

10. Install the "T" bracket containing the pipe holders for the exposed supply lines. Wrap the ends of the pipes with plumbers tape, place the flanges over the holes in the tile, then feed the pipes one at a time through the holder, the flanges and into the plumbing under the floor (figure H). Tighten pieces down.

11. Adjust set screws on the pipe holders and flanges to hold the new plumbing in place.

12. Install faucet assembly and tighten decorative nuts. Add hand shower to complete.