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How to Install a Bathtub?

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Installing a bathtub is a complex job that shouldn’t be attempted by novices. However, if you have some plumbing and construction experience, this may be a DIY project that you feel comfortable tackling. If you’re looking for a starting point, this guide provides an outline of the job. If you’re unsure what to do at any point in the process, it’s best to call a plumber. They can install the bathtub for you and ensure it’s to code.

Attach the drain to the tub. Before you actually set the tub in place, secure the drain to it. Wrap the bottom of the strainer (the part of the drain you see on the inside of the bottom of the tub) with plumber’s putty and press it into the tub from the inside. Place a gasket around the strainer from the outside of the bottom of the tub, then screw the strainer to the drain chute, which a long pipe that includes the overflow drain.

Use pliers to tighten the strainer from the inside of the tub and remove any excess putty. Connect the overflow drain. Slip the trip lever stopper and linkage through the overflow drain opening on the inside of the tub. Use a screwdriver to secure the overflow cover with the trip lever to the inside of the tub.

The trip lever is what you move up to prevent water from draining out of the tub. The stopper and linkage go inside the pipe to stop or allow the flow of water. The overflow drain will prevent the tub from overflowing if you leave the water running as it directs the water into a drain pipe.

Connect the water lines and install your accessories. Screw the faucet into the coupling for the water lines through the hole in the surround. Then, screw the strainer cover over the drain opening in the floor of the tub. Add any other accessories you need, such as handles if they are separate from your faucet.

How to Paint the Bathtub?

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If your cast-iron tub is looking a little rundown, save some money and give it a new coat of paint rather than replacing it. After filling in any gaps or cracks, sanding down the interior and exterior, and giving it a few coats of acrylic urethane enamel paint, you’ll have a bathtub that looks brand new. It’ll cost you about $450 to refinish your tub yourself, versus over $3000 to replace it.


Leave the tub alone until it has cured completely. Don’t step in it, run any water, or use it it any way. Follow the paint manufacturer’s instructions for the curing time, which is generally around 24 hours. You can also use a heat lamp to speed up the curing time, but that could also cause discoloration in the paint.


Remove the masking tape and reattach the tub fixtures. Once the tub is dry, you can remove all the plastic sheeting and tape and replace the drain and faucet. Throw the sheeting and tape away. You may also want to mop the floor and give the rest of the bathroom a thorough wipe-down to catch any dust or dirt left behind from the painting process.


Re-caulk the tub before you use it again to protect it from mold. Use a caulking gun to reapply the caulk to the areas where the tub meets the shower, if that’s applicable. Follow the instructions for the brand you purchased and let it dry before you use the tub. Caulk can take 24 hours to cure, but it’s generally safe to expose it to water after a few hours.


Spray painting is generally an easier process because you won’t have to lean over the tub and risk smearing the paint. Similarly, if you’re painting the tub by hand, use long, even strokes to coat the tub’s entirety.

How Removing Stains from a Porcelain Bathtub?

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Pick up a canister of abrasive cleaning powder. For thick buildup on porcelain surfaces, you’ll need to use something a little more heavy-duty. Use a product like Comet or Ajax that comes in powdered form. The small particles will be able to penetrate deeper into stains that have set up on the surface of the tub to remove them.


Powdered cleansers contain chemicals known as surfactants which have mild abrasive properties. This makes them much more effective for addressing hardened, stuck-on residue. Apply abrasive cleansers sparingly. For most jobs, a single canister be enough for a single thorough cleaning.


Stick with natural alternatives. Alternately, tough stains like rust and hard water residue can be treated with a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and cream of tartar. Blend the two ingredients together until they’re about the same consistency as cake frosting and spread them directly over the stains. After 10 minutes, buff the stains with a nylon brush or pumice stone until they’re erased completely.


Homemade concoctions like hydrogen peroxide and cream of tartar will be preferable for those who are wary of the health and environmental effects of chemical cleaning products. Hydrogen peroxide will also help treat age-related discoloration and lighten the finish of the tub.


Sprinkle the cleaning powder around the stained tub. A moderate dusting should be enough to deal with most messes. The powder won’t stick to the surface of the porcelain on its own, but when combined with a liquid it will form a paste that can be spread directly over stains. Be sure to cover the bottom of the tub, where accumulated mold can become a slipping hazard.

How Cleaning the Tile Above the Bathtub?

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Run the shower on hot. With the bathroom closed, run the shower on hot for a few minutes. The steam from the shower will help release dirt and grime. Test your cleaner first. Whatever cleaner you choose to use, test it in an inconspicuous place first. You want to make sure it doesn’t damage or discolor your tile.

Apply the cleaner. Scrub the tiles thoroughly or apply the cleaner as directed. Rinse the tiles off thoroughly. You don’t want to mix chemicals, and rinsing the tiles will help with that. Scrub the grout with bleach or a cleaning product. Dip an old toothbrush in bleach or cleaning product. Scrub along the grout to create whiter grout.

If you don’t want to use bleach, a product like Scrubbing Bubbles, Kaboom, or Lysol Bathroom Cleaner will work great. Alternatively, you can combine white vinegar and water to make your own cleaning solution.

Small and mid-sized grout brushes are a great option for cleaning your grout. You can find different sizes of these brushes where you buy cleaning supplies. Make sure the cleaner you used previously is compatible with bleach before applying this solution. For instance, neither vinegar nor ammonia should be mixed with bleach.

Rinse off the bleach or cleaning product. Let the tiles dry. Seal the grout. You should seal the grout twice a year. Sealing it helps protect it from the moisture in the bathroom.

Use a penetrating sealer. These coat the grout but still allow moisture to escape. The grout won’t crack as much with this type of sealer. Clear out everything that could block the grout. You want to have access to it to apply the sealer. Clean off the grout. If it’s discolored, apply the bleach as described above. Let it dry.