Installing a Tub Surround

Installing a vinyl tub surround is more of a job than most people might think. Here are some tips to make the job easier, and less of a surprise. If the walls are simply painted, you won’t have many problems, but if there is a surround there already, you might get into some major work.

First you will need some basic tools. You need a good pair of tin snips or a really good pair of heavy scissors, a utility knife, tape measurer, pencil, level, adhesive trowel, and tools to remove handles and other plumbing fixtures. You will also need mineral spirits for cleaning up adhesive that might get onto the tub or surround.

If there is already a surround, you might need to replace the dry wall. Although the surround will cover most of this new drywall, it needs to be taped and mudded. The walls need to be smooth, dry, and solid before you install a new surround on it. If you remove the old surround, and the drywall is fine, you got lucky. You may need to only scrape the old adhesive off and install the new surround. It doesn’t really matter what kind of surround you use, weather a one piece or five piece, the installation is the same. The one piece surround is harder to install only because it has to be measured in several places.

Now on to the installation. Remove the fixtures. Measure the height of the surround, and mark this height on the wall from the tub up. Check the tub to make sure it’s level. Level this line all the way around the tub, and measure down off of this line. To make sure the tub surround will set close to the tub. If the tub is not level, you will need to cut the bottom of the surround to match. Cut this as close as you can. Measure down to the fixtures and transfer these measurements to the surround. ( Measure twice, cut once.) Cut the holes for the fixtures, and set the surround in place to check your work. If the surround fits, set it aside and spread the adhesive. Put the surround back in place and push out any air. Pull the surround back off to check and make sure the adhesive covers the entire surround, and to slake the adhesive. Put the surround back in place, push out all the air. Clean up and caulk around the tub. Reinstall the fixtures.