Installing Sterling Accord tub/shower kits

Made of solid Vikrell® material, the Accord® series offers a sleek, seamless appearance, the four piece modular design with caukless seams allows for easy installation. Ample, out of the way shelving, provides plenty storage and bathing room.

This is a fun kit for installing a trouble free tub with walls. Here's and example of a remodel where two are installed at the same time.
When I got there, the homeowner had already demo'ed the existing tubs and walls.



As you see here, there was a tub to the left, and a left hand drain shower on the right.



Old school Delta 600 shower valves with the crystal knob.



New tub drains needed to be installed. A tub will be dropped over this, and then the trim installed.
Before the tub was set, we took some tile grout and spread a bit on the floor. The Sterling kit comes with a black felt pad, which makes for a quicker install, but we went for the grout, which when dries, feels like a rock underfoot.




Booyah! See how the drain lines up after the tub is set?



We use a dumbbell tool to install the tub drain.



We seem to be missing the tub/shower valves. Oh that's right. I capped those off while I was working.

I like to use a hole saw for the cutouts.



The tub spouts have test nipples there. After making sure this all holds water, the test nipple gets pulled, the walls will go up and a brass nipple for the tub spout goes in. Leave the galvanized, and you wind up with a bit of rusty water in the mornings. I hate that, so brass it is.



The water is on and looking good.



Right hand drain



Left hand drain.
In the Seattle area, give me a call. I supplied the tubs and the installation for this job.

I am putting one of these Vikrell tubs in my house.

What type drain do you normally use or recommend?

My observation is:

Trip lever (they seem so cheap)
Pop up toe tap (heard the springs wear out quickly, no hair screen)
The manual twist lock type (no hair screen)
The cable type (no hair screen, seem cheap and if it breaks and have no access from below you are screwed)

What brand of tub is that?

Sterling is the brand, the model name is Accord, the material it's made out of is Vikrell

houptee said:

I am putting one of these Vikrell tubs in my house.

What type drain do you normally use or recommend?

My observation is:

Trip lever (they seem so cheap)
Pop up toe tap (heard the springs wear out quickly, no hair screen)
The manual twist lock type (no hair screen)
The cable type (no hair screen, seem cheap and if it breaks and have no access from below you are screwed)

Click to expand...

That's a tough one.
Code likes to see a drain without slip joints in a concealed space.
Those then to be the glue together W&O drains that come with the pop-up.
Sometimes they do collect hair.

One more install of a Sterling tub.




It still needs more framing and drywall patching, but the plumbing is done. A little bit of mortar under the tub and it's solid.