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Remodeling Design Dilemma Bathrooms

Is this off-level bad enough to replace 70 years old cast iron tub?

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

Hi all,

I'm in a process of selecting tile contractor to redo tile wall and install tile floor and I need some advice on the bathtub situation! I take a bath every other day and this tub will serve as a shower as well.

Eventhough current existing old, heavy cast iron doens't have an integral flange built in, I planned on keeping it with new tile around wall and floor remodel only. and then I realizes that this tub is not sitting on level, I'm sure it was one point but as you can see on below picture, it is off level ( by 1/4'?) now, I'm not sure if it is worth to keep this tub, ( i wanted to keep it because it suits the house and can't afford to have a brand new one that is this well made, although this tub needs some cosmetic upgrate, overall condtion is fairly good. I also hear from everyone saying" they don't make things they used to be") But with now two major issue on this tub(1. no flange 2. out of level, that tub is most likely sit on cement bed, it will be too much of headache---I don't have a budget to hire the best of the best trades people )

My two main questions are..

1. is this out of level bad enough, (that considering this tub doesn't have a tile flange to direct water towards tub), is my new tile job will be total waste time? I've come to be a part with this tub, so I no longer have very strong feeling towards this tub.

2. Current bath tub is passing my door casing/trim. was this correct way to install the bath tub? I've only lived here about 1 1/2 years and by looking at the quality of other upgrades this house had done, not sure if the previous owner hired right person in general when it comes to house improvement projects. if bath tub can pass like current one, then I'm considering either Duravit or Kohler 29 1/2" x60-ish" falnge tub, alcove styles.

Any input whether design-wise or technical aspects would be greatly appreciated!

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Comments (5)

jslazart
5 years ago
Does it drain correctly? Is the interior finish in good shape? What year is the house? I've seen these in 1930s houses, usually originally installed as bath-only, but often since upgraded for shower use too. People install curved shower curtains. I've never seen one with a wall so close to the curved end.
PRO
Debbi Washburn
5 years ago
Please keep the tub... It's beautiful - there are companies out there that do reglazing. If you are going to refinish it but also install new tiles, you need to coordinate those 2 things. The glazing folks I have dealt with want the tiling complete but not the caulk that goes at the bottom row, so they can get the finish in there. Then it can be caulked. As far as 1/4 off - doesn't seem like a big deal as long as the tub drains properly. If you are doing the floor you could probably shim up the tub. That is a cast iron tub so I am not so sure those were set in cement bases.

As far as overlapping the trim, I would say that is a case of the original build being measured wrong. I it more common than you might think.

There are many tubs and shower bases that you can buy that you apply a tile flange to it. You may be able to do the same thing here.

I would also suggest change the faucet as well.

Save the money in buying a new tub and put it into your tradesman. If you can't afford the good ones now, then you better start saving your money for the water damage issues you are going to have later...

Good luck!!
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Me, too! I've been looking at the Tea for Two, but I want a tile flange and I really need a tub that's 60"long x 30" wide, (not 32") and prefer 14"+ water depth (at least 12") and cast iron. I would love any suggestions people have in addition to the suggestions above, which didn't meet by specs for depth or are over-mount drop-ins (or similar). I would also like to comment on the above recommendations so people don't order the wrong thing. Most clawfoot tubs, including the ones mentioned above such as the Cheviot or Sunrise Specialty, have a water depth that is around 11" at most. They are comfortable, but not deep. The Cheviot alcove tub is an over-mount drop-in with a water depth of under 11". It would have a calk line around a drop off on the deck. Oh, heck no! The Toto is an over-mount drop-in also. Dang! The Waterworks Minna sounds promising, and it has an apron, but what's with that moulded raised ridge at the top? It makes it look like a top-mount drop-in and have similar problems. I guess you wouldn't need calking, but you'd have that ridge water could get over and a lump under your head if you lean back. Has anyone installed one and has pictures? I'd love to be proved wrong on this one in spite of the price! It could be the perfect tub for me if it weren't for that top detail.
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I checked over here to see if divotdiva had posted anything about her new tub. I want one so bad, but my remodel has been delayed and may not happen until fall or even next year. When we do finally get to do ours, I may just line them up and have the upstairs baths redone too. I'd be happy to have that tub for one of them. Do you know Jason is the original Jacuzzi family? They sold the name and after a while got back into the trade with a new line -- Jason, for JAcuzzi and SON. They are not as well known a name, but they are good quality. The only concern I would have is the tub height, but that allows a decent bath where so many tubs are basically shower basins. Your guests can actually use the tub as a tub and not feel like they are in a kiddie pool brought indoors. Most of the things we have in our house have tradeoffs -- OMG, my ovens doesn't have a built-in rotisserie! Just kidding to make a point -- our grill has a rotisserie and I really couldn't see me needing one in the oven, but I still stopped and thought about it when we were making selections and it was the first thing that came to mind here. . Grab bars are a good idea, as is the curved shower curtain rod, regardless of the tub you use. If the step turns out to be a bit much, you might put a stool next to the tub so they can sit, scoot and swing their legs over. You might have to test a couple of step, stool or other ideas, but you will find a way. Worst case, would it really be so awful if your parents used your shower and you got to soak in the air tub? Yeah, definitely a First World problem, but you got a great deal on a very good tub you and your guests should be happy to have.
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I would not give it up at this point. Ask the plumber to get his wholesaler into it again - they likely have more pull than a single person buying a single tub. They were willing to replace the entire tub for him, at the very least they should be willing to do what they said they'd do before. I would question the wholesaler as to whether or not this tub was actually brand new and not a return. The first thing I thought of when you said there were spider cracks around the drain is that someone had overtightened the drain (my shower base manufacturer warned me that if you get a "gorilla" for a plumber this can sometimes happen). If you're sure your plumber didn't inflict the damage, I would suspect that the tub had been installed somewhere before. Alternately the tub could have been damaged somewhere in transit - again this should be an issue the wholesaler should be able to take up with their shipper. I'm half wondering if the wholesaler didn't even take it up with kohler but rather was going to do the swap for you just like that because it's easier. Ultimately you will decide how much effort you want to want to expend to get whoever is responsible to pay for the fix. It could be the wholesaler, it could be the shipper, it could be a manufacturing defect. Everyone is going to want to pass the buck on it too, but I'd keep after the plumber and wholesaler because I think it is more likely damage than a defect. At the same time you might want to tell Kohler that you want someone out there to SEE the defect (be careful not to say the word "damage") and actually make a determination about whether it is a defect or not - because surely they can't do that over the phone. Ask to speak to a supervisor if necessary. It sucks that you are dealing with this with your brand new tub though :(.
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Renee C
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
jslazart,

The house is built in 1908 craftsman style home and not sure what year of this bathtub was made. ( guessing 70 -/+ )

The wall on near round corner tub will be taken off, "L" sahpe curtain rod order is placed already thinking I'm keeping the tub until I ran into this "off level" issue with my new leveler purchase :)

Debbie,

Thanks for the encouragement, I'm easily pursuable when it comes keeping the old charm intact, but with a reasonable approach. I just want to hear pro's opinion on if these two issues are bad enough to justify new tub replacement. On add on flange, I've gone to tile special forum called John bridge ( thanks to fellow houzzer member who'd mentioned it), and most census are it's better than nothing but not by very much. and mostly those kit for acrylic , ( guess they use special adhesive that make "scratch" on acrylic to adhere. but not on a cast iron)

Either with new tub or keeping the tub, this off door trim issue is not going to be resolved unless I re configure whole bathroom which is my last last last resort, I'm leaning toward let's demo adjoining walls and floor and if there's way that my contractor can shim the corner of the tub. Instead of ordering the tub in advance, I'll see how the demo will unveil.

As far as drain, no probluem at all, while wall tile being opened, I'm replacing showerhead, valve to match new faucet as well as toilet and vanity.

On choosing a contractor, I'm in los angeles where the construction boom has been happening for few years in a row, quite a challnge to find a good one, my strategy to choose middle of the road, hopefully wouldn't do harm.

Thanks everyone and will still welcom opinions not only trades expert but old house enthusiast as well!
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
5 years ago
The question has been asked- does the tub have the original finish or has it been reglazed? If it’s been reglazed replace it, if it still has the original surface it’s worth saving. The tile flange doesn’t worry me with the right tile guy (schluter) nor does the slight slope as it seems to drain into the tub.
Renee C thanked HALLETT & Co.
Renee C
Original Author
5 years ago
By looking at the some peeling outside of the tub, I suspect that this tub has been reglazed. The local tub refinisher told me their term on reglazing/refinish are the same but since you'd mentioned that the questions has been asked, I'll go through the topic on this forum.

Thank you!

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