Many owners want to have in their possession such an element of plumbing, which is gaining popularity, as a built-in bathtub. It is not accessible to everyone, but at the same time it looks luxurious. You can not build a bath in every home.
This element will be massive and heavy, so the floors in an apartment building are unlikely to withstand such a load. But the owners of private property can please themselves with such luxury, but it is also worth considering the required load, preferably at the design stage. There are several ways to integrate a bath. But most often this is installing it on the podium or on the floor.
Restrictions for incorporating a bathtub
The first is free space. A bath will look better if it is a large volume, not less than 300 liters. If you install a small structure in this way, it will look funny and awkward.
How can I build a bathtub in an apartment building? There is a definite answer to this question - it is impossible. In extreme cases, if configuration allows, installation is possible only on the ground floor.
The room should have a place for a shower, since taking hygienic water procedures in such a bath is not too convenient.
Differences
The difference between the bath in the floor and the standard:
- This design visually increases space and saves space.
- The bottom of the bathtub is flat.
- It is equipped with gangways that remove excess water from the outside.
- More reliable drain mechanism.
Material
You can embed a bathtub from any material. The main thing is that the weight of the structure is correctly calculated. Durability is characterized by cast iron. But this is the hardest material. The best option is acrylic. A bath from it can have any configuration and size. Also, the material is not inferior to the usual metal baths in thermal insulation.
The form
Oval is the most popular option. Usually has large dimensions. It is suitable for swimming several people at a time. In addition, it can be installed both in the center of the room and closer to the wall.
The round version will give uniqueness and originality to any room. Itβs better to center the shape. Then it will be more spectacular. And if you arrange decorative lighting in a circle , then you get just a fabulous interior.
It is the angular option that helps to build the bathtub in a small space. It will save space, but will look no less beautiful.
Additional options
In addition to the main function, the built-in bath initially has additional ones. It can be ozonation, decorative lighting, a jacuzzi. There are also options with various kinds of hydromassages, and even imitation of sea waves.
Installation of the structure in the podium
How to integrate a bath into the podium? This question is asked by many owners doing repairs. This will make the room more functional and convenient.
Drywall, foam block or brick can serve as material for the podium.
- The first stage of installation will be to install the bath on a level base and connect to the drain.
- Further note the contours of the future foundation. To do this, a plumb line is applied to the edge of the bathtub and a point is marked on the floor, later they are connected with a marker.
- The podium wall will be built along a line that is marked in depth from the base line to the thickness of the facing material.
- It is also necessary to provide for a hole through which communications will be available in the event of an emergency. Such a window can be decorated with tiles. It can be easily dismantled if necessary.
- Reliable in design will be materials brick and foam block. But with their arrangement, difficulty arises due to differences in the size of the bath from below and above. Elements require grinding for further installation. Before embedding the bathtub in the tile, the wall must be leveled and plastered.
- Drywall is better to choose moisture resistant. He will need a rigid frame device, otherwise the wall from it will vibrate. This will prevent the tile from sticking for a long time. The installation of a metal profile fastened with self-tapping screws or rivets is suitable.
- Also, with a wall of drywall, you can arrange a frame of corners fastened by welding. Any of these options should be fixed to the floor or wall.
- Before you build the bath in the podium, you can pre-provide in its lower part niches for storing small things. This will save space.
- When performing a podium from several levels, its steps can be poured with expanded clay or slag concrete or laid out from blocks or bricks.
- The steps will be along the width of the tile (22-25 cm).
- To prevent injuries due to slippery tiles, the relief profile of the edging will help.
Floor installation
Properly built-in bathtub on the floor will help a properly equipped priamnik. To do this, itβs enough to dig a hole, concrete walls and the floor, thereby ensuring the necessary space for the operation of the bath.
The device of the Priamnik has several nuances:
- Its contours should repeat the shape of the bath, and its top should be completely blocked by the sides of the bath structure. When lowering the bath into the pit, it can lean on its sides. In this case, the area of ββbearing should be as large as possible.
- The depth of the pit is calculated from the conditions that the legs of the bathtub will be twisted to the maximum, about 5 cm, and after installation will return to their normal position. Thus, the structure should lie on the finishing floor, but at the same time not fully rely on it.
- It is necessary to equip access to the priyamnik to connect and install the bath.
- Water pipes are brought to the pit and sewer is discharged.
Now you can proceed to the direct assembly of the bath:
- The first step is to install a drain siphon and attach the legs.
- Next, a bath is arranged in the sump, having previously unscrewed the legs to the maximum.
- After the sewer pipe is connected and only followed by water supply. It is better to use in this case not flexible hoses, but a metal corrugated stainless steel sleeve.
- At the end of the installation, a capacity test must be carried out. To do this, pour a maximum of water, check the health of the sewer and the sealing of the connections.
- You can lower the bathtub legs only after facing the floor.
Advice
The best material for a built-in bath will be acrylic. From it, the design will be lightweight and reliable. The sides when installing the bathtub on the floor should be high. This will prevent the water from overflowing when immersed or moving. An ideal solution would be the arrangement of a warm floor.
In this case, it will not only be comfortable stepping onto the floor at the exit, but also the problem of puddles will be solved. Additional features are selected according to individual needs.
The built-in bathtub is itself the center of attention, therefore it is better to choose the surrounding details with discreet so as not to distract from the main structure. The floor can be faced with any classic option, or you can resort to modern 3D-technology and turn the room into something unique. It all depends on your imagination and financial capabilities.
Also an important element here will be an overflow tray, which will collect excess water and discharge it to the sewer. Cover it with a grill. You can also arrange horizontal sliding sash-doors.
So, we figured out how to integrate the bath into the podium, and not only.