[Shop-talk] Drop-in tub install question

[Jim Franklin]

On Jan 17, 2010, at 11:49 AM, David Hillman wrote:

>   The part I don't understand is why they emphasize not letting the  
> tub's bottom contact the floor.  It's an American Standard Americast  
> tub ( Americast is a "unique three-layer construction consisting of  
> a smooth porcelain-enamel finish bound to high-quality alloy that is  
> backed by an injection-molded structure" ).

My guess would be the alloy will expand enough that there'd be stress  
on the screws at the rim if there was nowhere for the expansion to go.

>
>   It doesn't make any sense to me that the required installation is  
> to hang the tub ( 700 pounds full of water ) from the 2x4 stringers,  
> instead of letting the floor share the load.  By following the  
> directions, the entire weight of the tub will be supported by the  
> nails through the stringers into the studs.  Here are those  
> instructions, if anyone is curious;

The nails in stringers is plenty of support. It's no different than  
the nails that support the floor joists in the rim joist or girders.  
*You* could stand on a stringer supported with one 10d nail. Over 5'  
you'll have at least 4 doubly-nailed connections. It'll be fine.

jim