#Bathtub creaks when standing in it install#
Hard to break if you need to move or reset itĪs you can see, Plaster of Paris is a good alternative to spray foam for stabilizing and firming the bathtub upon installation.
These are the common products used for filling a void under a bathtub: Stabilization Product Some, quite frankly, are promoted as solutions without any sufficient evidence. However, they do not offer the same benefits. To fill the gap under a tub, there are several potential approaches. How Does Spray Foam Compare to Other Stabilizing Products? This is the reason people often have issues with flexing of the bathtub bottom. Because, without proper bracing or support, the bottom of the tub is essentially suspended above the floor.Īnd so, you end up with this void under the bathtub. They are designed with a slight incline to facilitate the movement of water toward the drain.īut this design feature is also a bit of a design flaw. The reason for this is that the bottom of bathtubs is not flat and level. In fact, many tub bottoms actually do not touch the floor at all without bracing or support of some kind being installed underneath them. Many people don’t realize this but a bathtub bottom does not usually rest squarely on the floor. Why Does A Bathtub Need Support Under It? But if you are dealing with an existing install and removing the tub isn’t practical, spray foam actually offers appealing benefits. It’s important to understand that the tried-and-true best practice for preventing flex in a newly installed bathtub is with a mortar slab. It can reduce coldness and flex in an existing install, but an improper application can result in additional problems. Let’s see if this approach is viable.Ĭan expanding foam be used under a bathtub? Yes, expanding spray foam can be used under a bathtub. When a bathtub flexes under weight or is noticeably cold, spraying expanding foam underneath is a commonly recommended solution in the DIY community.