If you chose a reputable home improvement contractor (like P.J. Fitzpatrick!), to install your bathtub, you should have a tub that’s level. However, if you’ve found puddles, mold, or other signs of a crooked tub, don’t worry. Leveling a bathtub is relatively easy and can be done with just a few tools and some help.
Mortar
- Start by recruiting a friend to help you remove your bathtub from the wall, floor, or both.
- Next, mix up your thinset mortar.
- Let it sit for a few minutes until it becomes thicker.
- Pour your mortar into the area where your bathtub sits. Make sure your mortar area is around 1″ deeper than the length of your bathtub legs or base.
- After that, smooth the mortar out with a trowel.
- Next, place your bathtub back in its spot on top of the mortar and have a friend help you push down on it until it reaches the floor.
- Use a large level to determine if your bathtub is sitting properly.
- If it’s not, continue to push down on the appropriate sides until it is level.
- Use your damp towel to wipe away any excess mortar that has squeezed out from the area.
- Finally, let the mortar dry for at least 24 hours and you’ve completed leveling your bathtub!
Shims
- Start by recruiting a friend to help you un-attach your bathtub from the wall, floor, or both.
- Next, check to see if it’s level by using your large level.
- If it’s not, slide wood or metal shims underneath the tub.
- Re-check to see if it’s level and add more shims if necessary.
- Once you’re done leveling your bathtub, remove it from the area.
- Next, use silicone caulk to secure your shims in place. (Apply the caulk to the bottom of each shim.)
- After that, place your bathtub back onto the shims and re-check to make sure it’s level.
- If it is, remove it, apply caulk to the tops of each shim.
- Next, lower the bathtub back down onto them. Check again to make sure it’s level.
- Once it is, use your damp towel to wipe away any excess caulk.
- Finally, let the caulk dry for at least 24 hours and you’ve completed leveling your bathtub!
