How to Install the Delta® Classic 500 Tub (60x32)

[@StarOfCA]

I'm installing this tub now and I'd strongly recommend two things (for other DIYers). First, install a support beam underneath the outside-facing ledge (the longest widest ledge). You can fabricate a simple T-beam by screwing/gluing a 1x6 deckboard to the bottom of a 2x4; this fits well and will support a lot of weight. Users of the tub often put weight on this ledge to get in and out. Without extra support, I can imagine this cracking and perhaps causing complete failure of the tub. TO DELTA: you should update your molds to include at least six support ribs underneath this ledge. My guess is that your Patran model has a boundary condition wherein the bottom of your apron is affixed to the floor; this assumption is incorrect in 90% of the installation cases, and significantly impacts the rigidity and distribution of stress/strain in the apron. Second, take the time to lay a mortar bed. As I mentioned in another comment, this tub requires A LOT of support in order to end up with a good result. It's nothing like a steel-porcelain (or fiberglass) tub, which you can just put in place and rely on the tub structure itself for structural support. This thing is a thin-walled plastic shell. Without proper and ample support structure you will get a terrible result; with it, you get a pretty good result... albeit after a tremendous amount of effort.

[@AaronTamm]

I am looking at installing this exact tub. You make some fair points, so I’m curious; how has the tub held up since you’ve installed it?

[@jorgevasquez7743]

You are correct we ran into this issue and we had to use a ton of mortar on that lip to get it strong enough

[@isaiahlopez7164]

Everyone needs to read this. Add every measure you can of support and will last a long time

[@MrSteewped]

@@AaronTamm unfortunately I already own this tub. First crap plastic tub I've ever bought and never again. I'm still going to follow through with it's install but I've planned on doing everything he's said above. I already own the tub and sidewalls that I bought last year so no returning it. If I had to do it over again I'd rather buy a bootz steel tub from home Depot. Do yourself a favor and buy a cast or steel tub.

[@nalderto87]

why is the adhesive required all over the floor? From what I can see, the tub is on legs and is not in contact with the floor everywhere you have put the adhesive?

[@kemptonbryan]

I wondered this myself.

[@dakotabentley1632]

The 500 series says no mortar bed required

[@notahotshot]

Mortar bed is not required *if* your floor is flat and level. If the floor is not flat and level then a mortar bed is required to correct for that.

[@StarOfCA]

Take the time to lay a mortar bed. This tub requires A LOT of support. The mortar squeezes into the matrixed plastic grooves on the bottom preventing lateral translation (movement in X and Y directions) as well as a consistently flush surface to support the base. Use mortar unless you want a lot of shifting and creaking noises every time you get in and out.

[@MrSteewped]

Always use a mortar bed

[@dodgerbrewtx]

What is the difference between this and the Classic 400?

[@deltafaucet]

Thanks for the question, DodgerBrewTX. A new feature is a caulkless design when pairing the Classic 500 walls with the Classic 500 shower base or tub. The wall panels snap together and the base and tub have a unique flange. Because of this, a Classic 500 tub or walls should not be used with a Classic 400 tub or walls.

[@aziajenkins3004]

How does one cover up the screws if they are not using the wall assembly?

[@amacaluso2010]

You butt the tile backer to the top of the tub lip. Fill that gap with waterproofing or silicone. Then your first row of tile will cover the screwed flange

[@Methodical2]

@@amacaluso2010 I suggest you not butt the backer board directly on top of the tub lip and instead leave a small gap to allow for movement. You can put silicone between the backer board and tub lip or use a rubber membrane style flashing around studs down to just over the lip of the tub.

[@xbellabutterflyx]

Is the two front eyelid exposed on the apron left and right side or is that tucked in under the tiles on the wall?

[@shaquillefarrington1310]

How do you clean these type of tubs it’s plastic!! They said no bleach what else can I use ?

[@deltafaucet]

Hello Shaquille. Thank you for contacting Delta Faucet Company and we are happy to help. We recommend using 50% water and 50% white vinegar. With any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us again. -Carrie

[@shaquillefarrington1310]

@ okay no problem any other products? what about dawn liquid can that work to clean it as well?

[@mikecardinale8859]

WARNING. If you follow their instruction manual for installing the drain, your tub most likely WILL leak if you have any type of backup in the drain. At the bottom drain hole this is a 2 piece tub with NO sealant between the 2 pieces. If any water makes it to this area it will leak. They tell you to seal the bottom with the rubber drain gasket and the top with silicone. If done right this will prevent those spots from letting water past. However if you have a clogged drain water will travel past the threads in the drain assembly and make it to this unsealed area between the 2 tub pieces. I add a second rubber gasket between these 2 layers of tub whenever I install one of these. Every person that has ever had one of these tubs leak most likely has a valid civil suit against Delta Faucet because of this failure point. I’ve seen complaints about this in online forums for over 15 years and delta hasn’t updated their installation manual yet.

[@elijahmccoy1]

Can you install tile instead of the wall

[@deltafaucet]

Yes, tile can be used instead of the wall set! -Kelley

[@aziajenkins3004]

But how are the screws going to be covered?

[@aziajenkins3004]

The eyelid protrudes and prohibits the tile from going down to the tub or am I wrong about this?

[@kingkelly44]

@@aziajenkins3004 the drywall would protrude as much as the eyelid (im assuming). Drywall goes down to the top of the eyelid, never passed it. Then tiles go on, down to meet the tub

[@aaronchristopher7284]

35 lbs of adhesive to make sure the bathtub doesn't float away... check.

[@Minimarshi]

Is it really necessary

[@HeatherK-lh7jw]

so you wouldn't put flooring under the tub, in my case vinyl flooring

[@joshuaandal6759]

No

[@StarOfCA]

Umm, I think you guys might've forgot to install the drain assembly.

[@Methodical2]

Yeah. They know that is a whole separate video that may be too much for some DIYers.

[@billhamilton7524]

HUH ??,, are you talking about a ledger as you would with most tubs attached to the back wall ?

[@nathanielkeaton4775]

Never even explained how to install the overflow and drain assembly....

[@alfre4554]

Common sense dictates that.

[@TheDjcarter1966]

Well Delta won't tell you that a 12-15 normal drain kit doesn't work and to make sure you buy a special longer one, numerous complaints online.

[@SWF734]

How/where do I find the correct size overflow and drain assembly??

[@eugeneking4844]

The video is only so long and I'm sure there's other videos on that

[@tkoking420]

Buy a different bathtub. This is junk!!!

[@timothymoore7988]

My front apron flaps after install. Poor quality product

[@brettburgess6084]

Useless

[@tenfeetup]

This what happens when models do construction work. This is an incomplete installation guide that misses a lot of detail. 👎

[@ladonnaosborne]

If you need more detail than is in this video and the instruction guide that comes with the tub, you probably shouldn't be installing it yourself.

[@tenfeetup]

@@ladonnaosborne I know steps are missing BECAUSE I have installed these sorts of tubs. Videos like this give DIY people a false impression regarding proper installation and various technical issues involved with properly leveling the floor and walls as well as laying a mortar bed to support the bottom of the tub. In other words, you really should NOT produce “how to” videos if you’re not going to actually explain how to do the task. Your video is exactly like a worthless tool produced in China that breaks the first time it is used because it doesn’t actually DO THE JOB it claims to do. Take the feedback, processes it like an adult, and do better-especially since you already know that your video is inadequate instruction for any reasonable DIY application. AND, since, for the most part it is ONLY DIY people who will come looking on KZbin for information about installing tubs-because professionals ALREADY KNOW what the heck they’re doing. 🙄

[@ladonnaosborne]

​@@tenfeetup Since I purchased these exact models, I watched Delta's videos on the classic 500 tub and shower wall set and was able to install myself with no issues. This is only a video on how to install the classic 500 bathtub. Like any rational adult, I realize this is NOT a video on how to lay a mortar bed, how to level floors, how to square up walls, how to install plumbing, etc. It is only a video on how to install the classic 500 bathtub, supplementing the instruction manual that came with the tub. Why would they include instruction on laying a mortar bed when not everyone, myself included, needs to lay a mortar bed and with infinite variables for each installation? Most adults who need instruction on how to lay a mortar bed would research separate instructions for their specific situation. This is a complete video as a supplement to the instruction manual for installing the Delta classic 500 bathub and doesn't purport to be anything more.