Features of a plastic bath

Recently, plastic baths are gaining popularity in the plumbing market. They have become a worthy replacement for heavy cast iron and metal models, in addition, plastic baths have one significant plus - low cost.

Advantages of

Each product, including sanitary ware for a bathroom, has both advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, before you go to the store and buy a bath of plastic, you need to learn all the nuances.

Specialists in the installation of sanitary ware recommend to pay attention to such advantages:

• compared to metal or iron products, the plastic bath is much easier. This greatly facilitates its transportation, as well as installation. It weighs almost thirty kilograms;
• bath surface has a special coating that protects against detergents and mechanical wear. If there are small cracks and scratches, the restoration of a plastic bath can be done in just a few days;
• unlike cast iron and metal surfaces, plastic does not accumulate dirt and dust, so you do not threaten the multiplication of pathogens;
• despite the apparent fragility, the plastic bath, just like cast iron, retains heat for a long time. In addition, the plastic maintains the same temperature as in the room. The water in such a bath will not cool down quickly;
• , even after a year of operation, there are no stains and stains on the surface of the product, and the color of the bathtub will always be clean;
• plastic bath, in contrast to acrylic - absolutely non-slippery;
• when water is drawn into it, plastic coating can smooth out unnecessary noise;
• care for such a bath delivers a complete pleasure - it does not need to be cleaned with abrasive agents, it is enough to walk a soft cloth dampened in any liquid detergent;
• plastic product has an affordable price. A wide selection of bathtubs is available, both in shape and color.

Specific features of

Buying a bath of plastic, you will make the right choice. Nevertheless, there are some features of the operation of the product.

These are:

1. Specialists do not recommend cleaning the plastic coating with abrasive agents( powders), because they can scratch the coating. Alternatives to powders can be gels that clean the product well from dirt and do not leave scratches.
2. Plastic bath is fragile. The impact of a heavy object can damage the coating. Especially it concerns the rules of transportation of plumbing and installation.
3. If you pour very hot water into the tub, it can deform. But this defect can be questioned, because the temperature at which the plastic can begin to melt can not stand and man. Therefore, it makes no sense to collect too hot water in the container.
4. Also a plastic bath does not have a long life, unlike cast iron or metal, which can last for twenty years. This is true, but with careful operation of the bath, you can extend the life of the bath to ten or more years.

How to choose a good plastic bath?

Buy a plastic container for swimming in any sanitary ware shop.

When choosing a product, pay attention to such aspects:

• The thickness of the plastic( top layer) should be at least five to six millimeters. If the coating is thinner, then the product can not last long;
• look at the edge of the edge - if you see a stain remotely resembling a log house, this is the reinforcement layer. The more such layers there are, the more reliable and stronger your bath;
• inspect the inside and then the outer part. On the surface there should be no scratches and bumps;
• also pay attention to the shade of the product. The traditional color of the coating is white, it should have a shine, be homogeneous, without stains;
• the standard length of the bath is from 150 to 180 centimeters, the depth is 50-60 centimeters, and the maximum height is 70 centimeters. Choose a size to suit your height so you do not feel uncomfortable.

What are the plastic baths, you can look at the photos:

How to install

Installing a plastic bath - the process is quite simple and does not take much time and effort. Such a bathtub is much easier to put than a cast iron or metal bath.

For assembly, prepare the following tools:

• drill and drill bit for metal( can be screwdriver);
• marker or pencil;
• ruler;
• screws;
• building level;
• electrical tape;
• dowels;
• sealant;
• made of metal corner.

Conventionally, the installation of a plastic bath can be divided into six stages:

1. Preparation. If necessary, first the old plumbing is dismounted in the room and the walls are trimmed: wallpaper is pasted, ceramic tiles are laid, or the plastic finish of the bathroom is performed. In addition, you should take care of the sewer and water pipes in advance. Simultaneously with these works, you need to level the floor and prepare for connection of new plumbing sewage.

1. We fix the legs. The bath should be placed in the room and turned upside down to attach the legs. To do this, marking is done for the metal frame( on which the supports will be supported).You should retreat 15 centimeters from the drain( holes) and draw a line or pencil line - this will guide. The second line is planned at a minimum distance from the edge of the font. Then drill holes in an electric drill and install self-tapping screws. They will be the support of the metal guides. Experts recommend doing this: take a drill, retreat 5 millimeters from the edge and wrap it around the electrical tape. It will serve as a mark that will allow to obtain holes of the required depth. When this part of the work is done, you need to put it on the guide brackets and fasten them with bolts. Now the frame can be installed pre-assembled legs of the bathroom.

1. We collect pipes. Together with a plastic tub, the kit includes pipes. It's easy to assemble them. Usually, the attached instructions detail how this is done.

1. Installation. We turn the bath and install it on the legs. For it to be located correctly, you should use the water level. The tool is applied as follows: one end should move away from the left upper leg, and the second - from the bottom right. The level will show how many millimeters you need to adjust the legs of the bathroom. Do the same with the second pair of fasteners.

1. Installation of accessories that will not allow the bath to roll over. Such hooks can be supplied or sold separately. They are fixed to the wall on the dowels, and the bath "sits" directly on them.

1. Connection to sewer pipes. Wall and bath joints should be smeared with sealant( for plumbing work).After it dries a little, you can run a test run of the system. If everything is in order and the water does not flow - the bathtub is installed correctly.

Important! If the bathroom will be used by people with a large body weight, then the bottom of the product must be further strengthened with brickwork.

How to distinguish a plastic bath from an acrylic

Most buyers, getting into a sanitary ware shop, do not know what is the difference between a plastic bath and acrylic. At first glance, both products seem to be exactly the same, because modern plastic baths are covered with a thin layer of acrylic. Its thickness does not exceed one millimeter, and the top layer of the acrylic bath is five or more millimeters. The rest of the bath is made of fiberglass reinforced plastic.

The photo shows an acrylic bath.

When buying a bath, experts advise paying attention to the cut of the product. If you see three or more layers of material - you have a plastic bath in front of you. The first top layer is acrylic, the middle is plastic, the bottom is reinforced with fiberglass.

Most buyers are beginning to doubt whether or not to buy a plastic bath. Often even unscrupulous sellers can dissuade them, arguing that such products are not durable and durable. In fact, this is not so.

The product consists of strong polymeric materials, which are difficult to damage. An exception may be to hit the edge of the bath with a sharp heavy object.

Also people say that in case of a crack or chip, the bath should be thrown away. They are mistaken, because the product is subject to repair, and the restoration will not take much time and if desired, this work can be done independently.

But the talk about the fact that over time, a plastic bath can change its color slightly and lose its shine, are fully justified. But this happens if it is not properly operated. This is also possible if the bath was cleaned with abrasive detergents.