[ksguy]

Hi -
Remodeling the bathroom. Just got my bathroom demo down to the subfloor (well most of it - left the toilet in so far). The bathroom slopes away from the door, about 3/8" from the door down to the opposite wall where the toilet sits (8 feet). It's also not flat - there's a bit of waviness. The bathtub alcove is parallel to the slope, with the drain side being about 1/4" lower than the non-drain side.

The bathtub leveling will be easy enough to get past since I'm putting in an acrylic tub and bedding it in mortar, which will allow me to squish it in there perfectly level.

The question is the rest of the bathroom and how it relates to the tub. If I put the tub in there level, the apron will be 1/4" off the floor at the drain side. Do I put down 1/4" backer in the rest of the room, then pour SLU over that to get it flat and level, and just mask of the bottom of the tub to keep the SLU off of it? Or would it be better to pour SLU over the entire wood subfloor to get the whole room flat and level, then tub and tile over that?

Wood subfloor is 3/4" T&G over 2x10 joists. Bathroom is an irregular shape, covering around 45 sq ft total. The bathroom is centered over a load bearing wall beneath it so span is not a concern.

 

[ksguy]

I'm just about ready to tackle this part of the job. Basic question still stands - pour SLU on the entire bathroom subfloor before installing the tub, or no?

 

[mako1]

It does not seem to be that far off.I always set and level tubs on a mud bed .Not SLC.After the tub is set deal with the rest of the floor.What type of tub? Fiberglass or what?

 

[ksguy]

Acrylic tub, model is American Standard Saver. Link. I've read through the instructions and know it goes on a mortar bed but wasn't sure if I should level the whole floor first. If I put the tub in first, and part of the apron is a shade off the floor, how do I support that bit of apron?

 

[mako1]

You need a ledger board that is level on the long side of the tub to attach the tub to.Then just set it in the mud bed and level the rest to it.Some of the SLC will run under the lip at the tub and support itor the mud bed will seep out.Although the mud bed should not be that soupy.Works out either way.Makwe sure the tub is supported well and go from there.

 

[ksguy]

You need a ledger board that is level on the long side of the tub to attach the tub to.Then just set it in the mud bed and level the rest to it.Some of the SLC will run under the lip at the tub and support itor the mud bed will seep out.Although the mud bed should not be that soupy.Works out either way.Makwe sure the tub is supported well and go from there.

Thanks Mako. I might see to it that a tiny bit of mortar winds up under the front apron so it's supported if there is a gap.