[ChuckHammer]

Hello.

Is it absolutely necessary to lay self-leveling concrete on the entire bathroom floor, including under where the new bathtub is going to be placed, or can I install the new bathtub first and just lay the self-leveling concrete everywhere else?

Yes, the new tub would then be slightly recessed below the level of the new concrete I lay down.

 

[de-nagorg]

What is the tub made from?

Fiberglass, steel, other.

A fiberglass one needs all the support that you can build into it.

Those dumb Styrofoam blocks stuck on it for support will decay in a few years and there will be no support left, and with even a light (200 lb) person in it cracks will develop and it will be junk, and need replacement.

As I asked what material is it made of?

ED

 

[ChuckHammer]

Actually I haven't purchased the tub yet, but either enameled steel or cast iron. Cast iron tubs are pretty pricy though.

I should mention the bathroom floor is a solid concrete slab about a foot thick.

I've seen videos online of professionals self-leveling the floor without removing the tub. They just put weather stripping in front of the tub (and around everything else) and pour.

Is this okay to do with a steel tub on a concrete floor?

Thanks

 

[de-nagorg]

As long as you make sure that no moisture can get underneath it ever, this plan is good.

This is on steel, or iron, any other with those Styrofoam supports will decay eventually , causing a catastrophe.

ED

 

[oh'mike]

I would set the tub first---then pour on the self leveling compound---