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Design Dilemma Bathrooms

waterproofing around a bathtub?

last year

Hello!

How to protect this wall from splashing from the bathtub? There is not enough space for tile. What would you suggest? Thank you!

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Comments (17)

Nancy in Mich
last year
Don’t splash. Your room is not set up to take it. Get in before the tub is as full as you like it to be and finish filling it with you in the tub. Rinse your hair or face or whatever makes a splash for you after partially emptying the tub. This is not a tub for children to play in. Have them use an alcove tub elsewhere.
PRO
Debbi Washburn
last year
Oh dear... that alcove is really too small to have that freestanding tub. I am surprised the contractor didn't say something.

I do not know of a way to waterproof this. Those walls are going to get wet.

Maybe someone will have a good idea.
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For a jetted tub used as a shower, it has to have an integral tile flange. That allows the wall cladding to overhang and any water that hits the wall to not go behind your walls. There aren't that many in that size that are inexpensive. It will need a specialized drain, and, if you want to spend any time in the tub, a supplemental heater so the water doesn't cool off so fast. Since it's a tub/shower, the wall cladding will need to be redone to be waterproof into the tub. It's possible, if the build is recent, and it was done with the proper vapor barrier behind it, that only one row of the tile would need to be pulled in order to replace the tub. But, I wouldn't count on that. I'd count on having to replace all of the wall cladding in the alcove. That can be as cheap as a plastic surround for around $100 or cheap tile with the proper vapor barrier for probably $150 or so. The first is the easiest and the least chance of leaking. The second will read as more upscale, but you have to be sure your contractor understands about the vapor barrier and correct materials to use to tile this (NOT mastic.) And since you have that torn out, it would be foolish to try to keep your current control valves for the bath unless they are also very new. New safety standards are in place for anti scald mechanisms. So, you will need a new shower/bath faucet and valve. Then you will need the electrical line run from the panel to the location for the whirlpool pump and supplemental heater. That location is usually opposite the drain side of the tub. You will need to be able to site an access panel that is removable to be able to get to the electrical innards here. That can be from an adjacent room, or from a hidden panel on the tub itself. All in all, you might be able to get all of the needed materials for 2-3K if you shop the box stores carefully and find some bargains. The danger to that is that if you are inexperienced, you don't know if you're buying quality or crap. They sell both. And that's one reason that it would be simpler to let the pro pick the products after you tell him the features that you want. Then you've got to pay the contractor labor to install all of that. The electrician's price will depend on how difficult it will be to access the panel and run the wire to the location. For that, it's a really good thing you are on a crawlspace! That makes it cheaper for both the electrician and the plumber. On the whole, I'd expect your project to cost between 5-7K, depending on location, and if you have no DIY skills to bring to the table and have to hire professionals for the whole job. And be sure that you hire someone that is licensed and insured to be in your home, and will pull the proper permits to get the job inspected with your code office. Some handyman guy isn't licensed to do electrical of that nature, and while he might be able to do the demo and get the tub in place and glue on the plastic surround, it's unlikely that he'll have the right insurance to deal with a large job like that, and thus probably wont' want to pull permits and be inspected. They are usually limited to smaller jobs like simple fixture replacements like a faucet or light. Which this isn't. Just remember, you are doing a project that combines electricity and water. You really have to know what you're doing here! A small General Contractor should be able to do the complete job, and also carry the needed papers. And he should have no problem with the code guys coming in to inspect his work either. If he does, then he's not the right person for the job.
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ania bania
Original Author
last year
It is a rental I want to waterproof it before I get any renters in. I agree that this bathtub is not suitable for this space but it is what it is and I am looking for solutions :-) Thank you!
A Mat
last year
last modified: last year
Stick on flooring. Peel and stick floor tiles.
Nancy in Mich
last year
As a rental, I predict that you will have structural damage to this room within 5 years. Let’s say that you install thin waterproof sheets of fiberglass or vinyl and manage to get them between the tub and the wall. You can’t get to the back corners to seal seams in the corners. Water that splashes out of this tub is going to stand in place on the floor around the back of the tub. No renter is going to manage to get back there to wipe it up. It is the wrong tub for the place it is installed.
kandrewspa
last year
You can remove it now and install something more appropriately sized for the space, or remove it later after the renters move out. If they use it they may damage the walls. If you're lucky they won't use it. If there is also a shower in the bathroom there is a chance they won't use it. Somebody didn't think that through when it was installed.
Connecticut Yankeeeee
last year
I really love the tub and it’d be very tempting to use it every day. I agree with the others that water will probably be everywhere. I’m sorry, I have no suggestions other than replacing the tub. Good luck to you.
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Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
There was not enough space for the tub that is the issue. How the heck are you every going to clean crap from the walls around that tub. Take the tub back or redo the room.
thinkdesignlive
last year
If you think you will end up renting to a family - and if they have young ones - chances are they will use that tub so I’d follow the advise above. If you think you’ll be renting to a single or couple then you may wish to roll the dice. But I would also err on the side of caution.
ania bania
Original Author
last year
Thank you for your suggestions. I have had several renters so far all of them were very respectful of my properties and none of them has damaged anything but one never knows.
Pat Reddrick
last year
Vinyl wallpaper might slide between tub and wall.
Connecticut Yankeeeee
last year
Ania- I’m a temporary renter right now. And I care for this home as if it was my own. However, the kitchen layout is horrible. So, even though I’m a tiny, neat and clean person I cannot physically clean it well all the time. (My housecleaners even gave up 🤣). My point - keeping your bathroom dry may be challenging even for the perfect tenant.
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Joseph Corlett, LLC
last year
People, please. It's splash from a tub, not a showerhead. Adhere someFRP to the walls and forget about it please.
ania bania thanked Joseph Corlett, LLC
PRO
lisedv
last year
Maybe you can install some sheets of melamine on the wall, doesn't seem to be lots of space but you might be able to squeeze that in.
cpartist
last year
The problem isn't just the walls but the floors behind the tub.
PRO
lisedv
last year
I know, it says "it is what it is" but really not a good installation!
3onthetree
last year
If there is paint on the wall, no need for another finish. The splashing on the wall won't affect the wall, except for some runs you will see from dust sticking to moisture or the water running down existing dust. The problem is any water sitting on top of the baseboard or getting under it to the inside of the wall and subfloor. Any type of wall finish you do doesn't alleviate that.

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