Since Annie wasn't in school this week, I took the week off to work (with her) on the bathroom. Granted, I had come to a point where she could help only a little, but she knows her help is vital. I had procrastinated long enough on the next step: installing the tub. Fortunately, when I finally realized I couldn't get it from the garage to the bathroom without some sort of help, I'd gone to the neighbors to see if they have a handtruck. Even better, friend Andy was there. Andy has always been willing to help, and I traded him a beer for helping me get the tub to the bathroom. He will never know how grateful I am, despite my repeated thanks.

Well, that was Sunday. When I saw the tub standing on end in the bathroom, I decided that I could fit it in place with the total drain assembly. So, Monday morning, I assembled the tub drain. This should have been easy, but my overflow cover was a two-holer, and the drain assembly was for a one-holer. I managed to carefully modify the drain assembly to handle the two-holer, and got the whole assembly cemented together. I was ready for installation. I carefully manhandled the tub to begin placement. The five foot tub was to fit in the five foot opening on the far wall. I knew it wasn't going to be easy, but it proved impossible last night. In frustration, I gave up before I broke something (like the very expensive jet-tub).

The morning is wiser than the evening, and I awoke refreshed (well, sort of, if you read my last post). I realized that there was no way it was going in with the drain assembly attached, and regretfully removed it. I tried installing it again, from the opposite direction of the day before. I got closer, but it was still stuck. After staring for a while, I had some ideas for gaining the extra half inch it appeared I needed for it to slip into place. Before I started cutting, I tried one more time. Thank goodness it wasn't cast iron like the last tub, and it has handle assists on the tub, which made it almost manageable. Carefully, carefully, I shifted it a little more, and it slid down into place. I couldn't believe it. Of course, it didn't sit level on the 2x4 brace I mounted on the back wall. I pushed and shoved, and couldn't find the problem. Finally, I felt along the back rim, and found a spot where the fiberglass stuck out, and seem to be interfering with the fit. I trimmed it off, and? It fit. Unfortunately, I still needed to lay the mortar base, so I had to take it out again.

I mixed a bag of mortar, poured it on the floor, and smoothed it out. I covered it with a plastic sheet and replaced the tub. The mortar was too thick. I couldn't get it to sit level. I removed the tub... again... and scraped some of the mortar out. This time, I left a groove down the middle in hopes that it might spread a little with applied pressure. I put the tub back, and pressed it down firmly (jumped up and down). It was fairly level now, but it rocked a little. There was no mortar in one corner. Afraid to lift it back out again, I stuck a 2x4 under the tub, and scooped mortar in with my hands. I used my valuable and precise leveling techique again (jumped up and down), and it seemed to be stable.

So? Now I have the tub in...

Of course, now I have to put the drain assembly in from under the house. Rest assured, if I can’t do it from down there, I’ll rip out the shower on the other side of the wall before that tub comes out again. I didn’t get the tub in without a little damage, though.  There are a couple of chips in the shell at the bottom on each corner. They should be covered by the tile and greenboard, though.  If the tub has to come out any time in the future, I’ll either hire someone, or move.

Bring on the greenboard...