Creaking bathtubs

8/14/2016 at 12:19:54 AM

Good day, Thomas here. I own a Drywall company and im also a general contractor. The creaking noise could be a sign of poor installation. Loose plywood or even worse could be bad floor joist. is this in a newer or older home?

I'd have the issue looked at just to be safe.

8/14/2016 at 12:22:00 AM

Its not a big problem but read below...

Theres plenty of scenarios- how much was the tub? If it is a high end tub and it was installed properly it probably shouldn't creak.

-check the brand see if there are compliants about it

If the installer forgot to set it with mortar or spray foam and it isn't anchored properly that could generate your creaks.

Tip: Make sure there is silicone between the tub and the tile. If its creaking its likely acrylic and will likely move a bit dueing use. Grout cannot be trusted on that joint. Silicone only.

8/14/2016 at 12:24:17 AM

In most cases it's not the plumber. Did you install new tile outside the the bath tub? Any little rubbing of friction between tile and tub will create this sound. A little techniqe that can be done is shiimming a piece of small shims between the tub and tile on the out side base then caulking along the edge of tub.

8/14/2016 at 9:17:12 AM

Usually a creaking tub is due to poor installation. When installing a bathtub there are usually plywood or OSB support feet built on the bottom. These feet should be touching your subfloor in order for the tub to be solid. The tub should be leveled by shimming the supports to insure they are making contact with the floor. A can of big gap foam can also be sprayed underneath to aid in supporting the tub. A lot of guys just screw the lip into the studs with a level on the tub and call it a day. The reality is that if the tub supports are not touching the floor it creates movement when a person steps into the tub. Movement = creaking. I highly doubt it's a more serious issue, such as your joists being the problem. The only way to fix the issue after the fast is to open up a wall adjacent to the tub or below the tub and spray foam underneath. You will be surprised how much that will help.

Levelq

8/14/2016 at 3:40:04 PM

Most probably that's because there is no enough mortar underneath of the tub base.

8/14/2016 at 9:56:21 PM

Hi

Where is this tub located? Eg. second floor or in the basement?

Thanks,

Roy

8/14/2016 at 10:03:53 PM

Bathtub in second floor, house is 15 years old. It's a mirolin tub ( not too cheap ) and tile was finished around it, caulk ed but not silicone.

Thanks for everyone's replies.

8/17/2016 at 6:56:33 AM

I had the same problem a couple years ago when a plumber installed a tub for me. I had a Mirolin representative come out to address the situation. What happened was at one of the feet in the centre of the tub there was a dip in the plywood. In doing the right thing the plumber installed some cedar shins under the feet to compensate for the difference in floor level. Problem was the these shins were still able to flex and rub against each other and the foot. We removed them and installed them with some PL Premium. Then Mirolin rep filled the entire base cavity with spray foam. 2 years no squeaks.