Installing Your New Whirlpool Tub
Comfortflo Whirlpool Bath is the right whirlpool tub at the right price…. Now its time for installation of your new bathtub!
Comfortflo Whirlpool Baths recommends that you not build your whirlpool tub enclosure until you have your bathtub on the job site to limit the number of costly mistakes and speed up the installation.
Your Comfortflo Whirlpool Bath installs in much the same way as any other bathtubs. Following the steps below will take the guess-work out of your installation and speed up the process of installing your new whirlpool bath.
Please review our complete receiving, installation and operating instructional guide provided by Comfortflo.
COMFORTFLO Installation Booklet – Revised 2013
STEP 1: BE SURE YOUR BATHTUB FITS YOUR SPACE
Measure the space’s length and width and compare these dimensions to your Comfortflo Whirlpool Bath model’s specifications. This is especially true for a replacement tub. If your Comfortflo Whirlpool Bath is to be used as a shower, be sure to allow for the tile flange to sit flat on the tub deck and behind your tile and backer board. Be sure there are no joists or other obstacles that block your drain and overflow.
STEP 2: BUILD YOUR TUB ENCLOSURE
The lip of your tub’s deck must sit flat on the finished surface of your tub enclosure and be supported on all four sides. You must also make allowance for a bed of mortar under the bottom of your tub (as required by building codes and your Comfortflo warranty) to provide a solid base for water load and bather weight. This is 1/2 to 1 1/2″ of additional space added to the distance between the bottom of the tub lip and the bottom of the tub’s base rail.
If your new whirlpool tub is to be mounted on a freestanding tub enclosure, your framework should resemble this diagram. Be sure to allow enough room for the supply and return lines between the tub and the framework. You must build a pump service access opening into your tub enclosure as shown at the end of the enclosure in this diagram.
If your new whirlpool tub is a replacement tub, you will need to modify your existing wall framing to resemble this diagram. You must build a pump service access opening into your tub enclosure as shown at the end of the enclosure in this diagram.
STEP 3: DROP IN YOUR WHIRLPOOL TUB & SEE IF IT FITS
Carefully lower your tub into the enclosure and test for fit. If your tub sits evenly on the finished tub deck and hangs 1/2″ to 1″ above your floor, you are ready to pour your mortar bed.
STEP 4: MARK THE FLOOR UNDER THE TUB FOR MORTAR
Mark the entire floor under the bottom of your tub as shown by the dashed line and red area under the tub in this illustration and then remove your tub. This area is the foot print for your mortar bed. You may have to nail a 2 x 4 dam around mortar bed area to retain the mortar you will pour in the next step.
STEP 5: POUR THE MORTAR BED & RETURN YOUR TUB
Mix a thick mixture of standard mortar mix and place on the entire area you marked in step four. The mortar bed must be tall enough to fill the space between the bottom of your whirlpool tub and floor. But have enough extra to squish out when the tub is returned to the enclosure. Place your tub back into the enclosure, gently push down until the tub bottom is fully embedded in the mortar. Then, check that the tub lip sits flat on the finished enclosure surface. Be sure to keep the drain area free of mortar. You will need enough room around the drain hole to install the drain and pipes. Allow the mortar to set before proceeding.
DO NOT GET INTO YOUR NEW BATHTUB UNTIL THE MORTAR BED HAS SET COMPLETELY. YOUR WHIRLPOOL TUB COULD BE DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR AND YOUR WARRANTY WILL BE VOIDED.
STEP 6: INSTALLATION OF YOUR DRAIN AND RE-TEST FOR LEAKS
The final step is to re-test for leaks before finishing your whirlpool tub enclosure.