Has anyone seen a tub installed like this?

Hello everyone!

My name is Tomas. First I am a long time lurker and want to thank all the posters and their expertise. I bought a condo about year ago and because of this forum I have been able to do a bunch of work. Recently I gutted my second bathroom and while removing tiles I noticed slight give in the bath tub along the center. I never had used it before so this was the first time I noticed it. I cut an access panel and saw this install. What I am hearing is the Styrofoam. I could cut the wall and get to it if I have to it.

From reading these forums something doesn't seem right although I am sure it was done 20 years ago when the places were built. So my question...is this a correct install? Is there a fix for this? There is no mortar or expanding foam, which I know many here don't like for an install.

You have a standard steel tub installation. That foam is not meant for support, but is more for sound/heat insulation...not that it makes much difference.

There are foams that can easily hold up a tub full of water, but they only work IF the floor is flat and level, and they were designed for it (ie., a tub that came with foam on the bottom designed to hold it up rather than for any possible installation). Otherwise, it is a good idea for solidity and longevity to embed it in something like mortar. The tub I have, from Jason International, came with foam bonded to the bottom designed to be set directly on the subflooring without further support. But, if the floor is not level or flat, you still need to do something else to properly support it.

Thank you guys for the posts. I guess that for this steel tub the installation is correct and I feel flexing because it is a cheaper tub.