American Standard Princeton Install

Users who are viewing this thread

Fastclient

New Member
Messages
13
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Oregon
I am installing a American Standard Princeton bathtub. I removed underlayment floor in the bathroom down to the subfloor. Unfortunately the subfloor is only 1/2" thick. Also the floor joists run the same direction (length wise) as the tub. I plan to install a 3/4 plywood underlayment. Since the subfloor is only 1/2" would it be wise to install the 3/4" underlayment under the tub first for better support instead of installing the tub on the 1/2" subfloor as the instructions suggest? Would there be any problem with this or is it a good idea?
 

Jadnashua

Retired Defense Industry Engineer xxx
Messages
32,770
Reaction score
1,190
Points
113
Location
New England
The 1/2" is more probably a nominal 5/8" (5/8" before sanded), as 1/2" ply never met US building codes. Adding another layer, keep in mind that the grain must run across the joists, not along them for maximum strength. It can be hard to screw a second layer to a thin one under it without stripping the screws out - you may need to predrill pilot holes in the first layer should you choose to add that second layer. Depending on what you're planning for the rest of the room, that thicker subfloor there may mean the tub edge will be hard to make look good.

To me, it would sort of depend on what the bottom of the tub looked like. If it had only a few small feet, I'd want more subflooring, but if it's fairly flat or has lots of support area, and based on their installation instructions saying it will work, I may not add more. Is the new tub going in the same location as the old one? If it worked, the new one should. If the tub bottom isn't flat or the tub doesn't sit level, you may want to embed it in mortar which will make it feel more substantial and spread the load out.
 

hj

Master Plumber
Messages
33,602
Reaction score
1,038
Points
113
Location
Cave Creek, Arizona
Website
www.terrylove.com
IT is much easier to install the floor first, then place the tub on top of it, which is the way I always do it, than to cut the flooring to fit the tub afterwards.
 

Terry

The Plumbing Wizard
Staff member
Messages
29,942
Reaction score
3,458
Points
113
Location
Bothell, Washington
Website
terrylove.com
IT is much easier to install the floor first, then place the tub on top of it, which is the way I always do it, than to cut the flooring to fit the tub afterwards.

And I almost never do it that way.
I prefer setting the tub first. The room gets backerboard and drywall. Painted and tiled, and last the floor.
You can do the floor first, but there are also so many ways to damage it in the construction process.

In the end, the one doing the work picks the method.
 

Fastclient

New Member
Messages
13
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Oregon
Thanks for the quick reply. Another question about the tub. American Standard suggest drain kit 1545.170 for the Princeton tub. It is a lift and turn drain that costs about $120. The front of the tub where the overflow goes is at an angle so I'm sure it would fit great. My questions is there an alternative drain kit that will work as well that is not so spendy? American Standard does make a cheaper one with the overflow on top to raise the water lever 2" but not interested in that one. Does anyone know of any alternative that would work and not empty the wallet? Thanks
 
Last edited by a moderator:

hj

Master Plumber
Messages
33,602
Reaction score
1,038
Points
113
Location
Cave Creek, Arizona
Website
www.terrylove.com
quote; last the floor.

I assume you are referring to the "finish floor", i.e., tile etc. I was referring to the plywood over his subfloor, which the tile is applied TO.
 

Terry

The Plumbing Wizard
Staff member
Messages
29,942
Reaction score
3,458
Points
113
Location
Bothell, Washington
Website
terrylove.com
I was referring to the plywood over his subfloor

I was thinking finished flooring too. Though most of the time I'm in there before the subfloor goes in too.
Tile is thick enough to hide any shimming I may need to do. Vinyl floors, not so much.
I did one tub where the floor was off 1/2" in five feet. That was one heck of a shimming job.

With new construction I never thought about shimming. On remodel, things can move, shift and sag over time. I lived in one home were I had to lift the center of the home up about 2". If you dropped a ball in the kitchen it would roll out the far doorway.
It's nice what two hydraulic jacks can do.

The American Standard drain should work fine. Though it has slip joints, and some places where I work doesn't allow them.
You can pick up a standard overflow kit that uses solvent weld joints for less then $30.00
 
Last edited:

Fastclient

New Member
Messages
13
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Oregon


You can pick up a standard overflow kit that uses solvent weld joints for less then $30.00

Where the overflow attaches to the tub is angled. Would a standard off the shelf overflow kit adjust to this angle of the tub?
 

Terry

The Plumbing Wizard
Staff member
Messages
29,942
Reaction score
3,458
Points
113
Location
Bothell, Washington
Website
terrylove.com
Where the overflow attaches to the tub is angled. Would a standard off the shelf overflow kit adjust to this angle of the tub?

I can't even begin to tell you how many of these tubs I've installed.
Yes, any waste and overflow will work on that tub. Most tubs "do" have a slope.
 

hj

Master Plumber
Messages
33,602
Reaction score
1,038
Points
113
Location
Cave Creek, Arizona
Website
www.terrylove.com
quote; If you dropped a ball in the kitchen it would roll out the far doorway

But it made it easier to find stuff that dropped on the floor. Just look along the wall at the low side
Here, the is not usually a sub and final floor. Just a single layer of 3/4" plywood.
 

Jadnashua

Retired Defense Industry Engineer xxx
Messages
32,770
Reaction score
1,190
Points
113
Location
New England
It is not uncommon for the gasket that seals the top of the overflow to come with a tapered one to account for the angle (if you put it on right!). Also, some are plastic that have a short accordion like section to accommodate the angle.
 

Fastclient

New Member
Messages
13
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Oregon
Thanks guys for all the info, greatly appreciated. I plan on setting the tub in mortar. The tub has a waffle type bottom so this should work well. I read in another thread how it would be almost impossible to lay down a continuous bed of mortar, fairly level and set the tub in it. Instead it was suggested to put small piles of mortar down then set the tub in it. Makes sense. My question is and the I'm sure the answer will be hard to explain but how many of these little piles and how big and how deep. Size of a cup saucer? smaller? bigger? inch deep? more? less? Any info would be greatly apprecitated
 

Fastclient

New Member
Messages
13
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Oregon
Any help or suggestions on how much mortar under the tub? Would really appreciate some insight on this Thanks!
 

Terry

The Plumbing Wizard
Staff member
Messages
29,942
Reaction score
3,458
Points
113
Location
Bothell, Washington
Website
terrylove.com
You just drop a few piles down and let the tub smoosh them down.
You don't really need to do that on the Princeton though.
If you do add the mortar, it does stiffen the floor of the tub a bit.
 

Fastclient

New Member
Messages
13
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Oregon
Thanks Terry, can you give me an idea of how big the piles should be. Don't want to put down some mortar, set the tub in it then remove the tub because there is too much mortar and I have to remove some. Like it to be a one shot ordeal. Thanks!
 
Top
Hey, wait a minute.

This is awkward, but...

It looks like you're using an ad blocker. We get it, but (1) terrylove.com can't live without ads, and (2) ad blockers can cause issues with videos and comments. If you'd like to support the site, please allow ads.

If any particular ad is your REASON for blocking ads, please let us know. We might be able to do something about it. Thanks.
I've Disabled AdBlock    No Thanks