Kohler Archer Tub Install and Review

Instagram - / todayiworkon
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[@bettysmith4527]

Thanks for doing what you do!! Just had a new tub/shower installed so I wanted to see how involved it was, now I see why it cost so much in labor!!

[@TodayIWorkOn]

It’s involved! Thanks for your kind words.

[@saeedakhtar7482]

thanks for exzellent explanition

[@CharlesHogan6]

Very good thank you

[@HB-yq8gy]

My Sterling tub combo is giving me problems. Our house is a1964 Bi-level I thought the tub floor area was level enough but I was wrong off a 1/4 to 1/8 had to remove it & start over.

[@kiriroberts38]

also my framing opening is wrong, should have been 60" i made it 63" i thought I needed to allow for cement board and tile

[@kiriroberts38]

Great Video, I have a discontinued model - kholer BF1946-L-0 l, but I need the drain parts, what are they called, where do I get them?

[@TodayIWorkOn]

I’ve been installing Archer tubs for 15 years. The trip lever thats skinny and horizontal should be the same. It’s specific to the Archer tub. If you call Kohler, i bet they can help you out. Good luck with what you’re working on!

[@digitors]

Awesome, will call them tomorrow- thnx

[@2cmj0]

Do you put a trash bag as a barrier between the mortar and subfloor?

[@TodayIWorkOn]

Correct. I just did an even bigger 66” Archer tub the other day. The bottom is ROCK SOLID. It’s really the best way to install these plastic tubs.

[@2cmj0]

@@TodayIWorkOn any particular mortar mix? I picked up some quickcrete mortar mix at lowes for cheap.

[@TodayIWorkOn]

@@2cmj0 any unmodified mortar(the cheap stuff) will work.

[@rclconstruction7018]

How thick does the mortar bed need to be?

[@TodayIWorkOn]

About 1 1/2” in the back and 3/4” to the slope. Directions say to try and fill the ribs. You don’t have to go that crazy. Usually 2 50 pound bags of unmodified mortar works for a bigger pan. 1 1/2 bags for smaller pans.

[@BeatrizMcLean]

How do you remove the Kohler Clearflo Leg Tub stopper Drain? 🤯...

[@TodayIWorkOn]

It should just screw off. Righty tightey lefty loosey.

[@joannawidzer4093]

I just bought this tub and HATE it. I'm just 5'4" but the inside of this tub is the most cramped and shortest of any I've ever used. Looking to remove it and replace

[@TodayIWorkOn]

The fix is a 66” tub. Very common complaint with the 60” tub. I just installed another 66” archer and it’s such a huge difference. Sorry to hear you hate it

[@z0mgaah]

Hello! How is this tub holding up for you and other clients you've installed for? I only ask because I purchased this tub (Kohler Archer) from Hope Depot in May 2019. In November 2023 I woke up to find a leak in our kitchen (the bath tub is above the kitchen). I called a plumber who came a few days later. They determined the leak was due to a crack in the tub. I called Kohler, and they sent someone who repairs Kohler tubs, and who concurred that the leak is due to a crack. He told us that this particular tub is one that is well known for cracks. Kohler usually prefers to repair the tubs, but the repair rarely lasts, which leads to further leaks and water damage in the home. Upon googling, I've learned that many have experienced cracks, so I'm just wondering your experience having installed this particular tub several times over the years. We're trying to avoid having this happen again! Thank you!

[@TodayIWorkOn]

I have never had a Kohler Archer crack in 15 years of installing them in my own homes and dozens of other clients houses. From research I have found that the Archer cracks near the drain about 1-2” up from the floor. I believe it has to do with stress from stepping on that area while the tub is not properly supported around the drain. I have always tried to cover the Archer tub bottom with as much mortar as I possibly can so that never happens. I’m not sure which mortar is better to use, modified or non modified. I do know non modified actually expands ever so slightly when curing and really makes a great bond with the tub base. I’ve never called kohler and asked to speak to an engineer about this, but I have a rule on failures. Most failures are from install error in the trades from not following directions. If possible can you email me some pics of the crack and what was under the tub? I’m curious to see what it looked like. You can find my email in my YT profile. Good luck!

[@jeremywatts2768]

You ever have issues running your pex bent through the wood without any protection or sleeves?

[@TodayIWorkOn]

I’ve never had a call back with a leak or a failure with bending pex. You can bend pex up to the point of actually collapsing the pipe. That’s when issues happen. I do have a video on where 2 sharkbites have failed in my own homes over 10 years, but they were my own fault. I was a little lazier working on my own homes over the years due time constraints and if I had exposed plumbing I was a little sloppy with it. I’ve seen so many protection plates screwed though on rip outs I truly think they are a waste of time. The most important thing is to drill your lines in the center of the stud and mark out your lines before drywall. I do throw protection plates on when I can’t be smack in the middle of a stud though. I also throw protection plates on if someone else will be installing the substrate, like on my new construction I’m building right now. Hope that answers your q.

[@jeremywatts2768]

Thanks for the detailed reply. I replumbed my second floor bathroom utilizing bends instead of fittings where I could, then I started seeing articles about leaks due to the bend stress with chlorination. I got a little paranoid. I'm fairly meticulous and make sure to run everything dead center with supports and def take pics where the lines run in the walls. I guess time will tell. My 40yo copper has had its share of pinholes. I think wherever you install it, make sure to secure it so pipe movements dont wear a hole or repeatedly flex a line till it cracks.

[@links89a]

what do you recommend, brass / metal or PVC

[@TodayIWorkOn]

I like the brass better. The pvc is not really forgiving, but the brass is.

[@Greybeardmedic]

I have a pedestal sink that was installed improperly, and I needed to replace the drain. Unfortunately the amateur who installed it liked to put silicone everywhere, and the drain is now permanently attached to the pedestal, and I am unable to service or repair the fixture without destroying the pedestal. This is why manufacturers specific HOW and WHY they want things done. I hope that you will take that into consideration the next time you want to say "Silicone, everywhere, why not". I thank you for your video, but I can't say I will follow ALL of your recommendations.

[@TodayIWorkOn]

I have a simple solution for you and your drain issue. Vibrating saw, cut what you need and it will come out. As for Silicone, it's not a thread sealant per se and I've never had something installed with silicone that did not come out easily. I think your problem lies in the fact the threads are probably stripped or rotted and fused together. Silicone actually protects the threads and makes removal easier. Email me a pic if you can, I'm interested to see how I can help.

[@joecox9958]

user does complain this tube crack said it is only 1/16"thick. I have this tub more than 10 years so I think lately product quality get down, as not only one complains. The price also more than doubled.

[@TodayIWorkOn]

I’ve been installing these tubs for 15 years and I think they beefed them up a little here and there. I’m not sure why they crack other than a bad install. 🤷‍♂️

[@rcook934]

Got mortar on my shoe kicks the tub wow

[@TodayIWorkOn]

I've kicked it way harder and it didn't break! 😬

[@russelljohnston9975]

Microphone

[@stevehammond7485]

Not a plumber, just a hack. Don't cut through floor joists, don't use silicone all over a rubber gasket, the gasket is designed to "do the work", don't use silicone to set a drain, use plumber's putty. Oh jeez, I hope people don't use this as a how to vid. I just re-did a drain yesterday that was leaking because someone used silicone instead of putty on a drain.

[@TodayIWorkOn]

I appreciate you.

[@tmx9111]

If you don't use silicone on the overflow gasket it will leak because the back of the tub is not smooth and the gasket is not tight enough otherwise.

[@TodayIWorkOn]

@@tmx9111 I have installed dozens of Kohler archer tubs and you are correct. When I installed my first Archer tub in 2010, I didn't use silicone. I initally didn't have a leak. Fast forward to my clients 2nd or 3rd shower and there was a slight drip. I loosened up the drain nut, dabbed some silicone on the washer, retightened the nut and no leaks. Since then, I have always dabbed some silicone on the rubber gasket on both sides and never had a call back since.

[@cletuskasady7487]

I just got the tub and the instructions for this specific one call to do the silicone

[@mynameisphunk]

I'm here because my overflow is leaking due to no silicone being used & the iffy Kohler design w/ only 3 screws - I'm thankful for the video just to know what I'm getting into taking it apart and having faith that I it can be fixed pretty easily.