Roman spas - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

rotarex · 09-28-2008, 07:51 PM

as per my last post, that i got made fun of, i figured out the name of what i wanted to build, its a roman spa, to me its just another tub

but anys this is what i want to build but simple one, meaning, bigger tiles, and square this way i dont have much mudding to do, ...........can i use mastic to build it or do it have to be mortar?

Mike Finley · 09-28-2008, 09:11 PM

Build it the same way you'd build a shower pan and a steam shower.

Mastic is a no-no. I think that's the stuff the professor used when he made the bathtub on Giligan's island.

orson · 09-28-2008, 09:33 PM

You can only go so big on the floor tiles since they will presumably be sloping to the drain. The most common rule of thumb I see is max 3 inch square, others say 2

j_builder · 09-28-2008, 09:59 PM

Bigger tiles would be a real safety issue...that's why 'Roman Tubs' have penny squares install for slip & fall reasons. Here's an alternative for ya, just frame out a box drop in whatever (air/jetted or both) tub then tile around it...so much more up to date than a classic roman tub. Mike has the right anwser too NO MASTIC for this application, mud bed/thinset only.

rotarex · 09-28-2008, 11:08 PM

NO MASTIC you mean i gotta actually learn to tile LOL,
so after i make my frame out of wood, then ply wood, then (waterproof membrane is that even necessary?) then thinset, my wall tiles would be small ones and for the flooring the really small ones on the sheet............................what do you guys recommend ...water jets or air? i think air would be cheaper, almost like an aquarium

which way is better

i know this one is old school

frame, wire mesh, sling mud, then tile

today
frame, wire mesh, sling mud, liquid membrane, tile

j_builder · 09-29-2008, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rotarex

NO MASTIC you mean i gotta actually learn to tile LOL,
so after i make my frame out of wood, then ply wood, then (waterproof membrane is that even necessary?) then thinset, my wall tiles would be small ones and for the flooring the really small ones on the sheet............................what do you guys recommend ...water jets or air? i think air would be cheaper, almost like an aquarium

which way is better

i know this one is old school

frame, wire mesh, sling mud, then tile

today
frame, wire mesh, sling mud, liquid membrane, tile

First of all I don't know what your local code requirements are in your country as to what a GC can build or not build...ask your customer what product/size/shape/depth/demensions/color/drop-in or floor mount/air/jetted etc. Your missing a few more important details with both 'old school' and 'today' installs too.

Have you ever rough framed for any tub units? Set fixtures/drains? Installed GFCI's for pumps? Might want to read up on some information before attempting to take on such a timely project. Do you have any previous bath redo pic's other than the shower pic's?

rotarex · 09-29-2008, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j_builder

First of all I don't know what your local code requirements are in your country as to what a GC can build or not build...ask your customer what product/size/shape/depth/demensions/color/drop-in or floor mount/air/jetted etc. Your missing a few more important details with both 'old school' and 'today' installs too.

Have you ever rough framed for any tub units? Set fixtures/drains? Installed GFCI's for pumps? Might want to read up on some information before attempting to take on such a timely project. Do you have any previous bath redo pic's other than the shower pic's?

well its going to be in place of a old tub, i am going to remove the floor and re plumb to where i want it, i have never rough frame for a tub, but it will be built to witstand 5lbs per gallon of water, also i will do the calculation to see if the floor can take that weight, most likely this is going to be very small, i just want to make shure it dont leak. so a sturdy frame will be built, .........where you guys from a GC cannot do certain things?

neolitic · 09-29-2008, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rotarex

well its going to be in place of a old tub, i am going to remove the floor and re plumb to where i want it, i have never rough frame for a tub, but it will be built to witstand 5lbs per gallon of water, also i will do the calculation to see if the floor can take that weight, most likely this is going to be very small, i just want to make shure it dont leak. so a sturdy frame will be built, .........where you guys from a GC cannot do certain things?

Interesting that Toronto water
only weighs 5lb. per gallon.
I suppose the people must not
weigh anything, since they are
floating in the water.

Yes there are certain things
GC's can't do.
Like repeal the law of gravity.

j_builder · 09-29-2008, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neolitic

Interesting that Toronto water
only weighs 5lb. per gallon.
I suppose the people must not
weigh anything, since they are
floating in the water.

Yes there are certain things
GC's can't do.
Like repeal the law of gravity.

It's way to early for me to be laughing this hard

neo...

MALCO.New.York · 09-29-2008, 02:03 PM

8 pounds 5 1/4 ounces per gallon.

Fill the tub with Gasoline and it will equal out to 5 pounds per gallon!!!!

rotarex · 09-29-2008, 10:54 PM

well thank you all for your support and step by step on how to build a roman spa, tub, human aquarium, what ever it is, im gonna give my GC expoities and wire it up with 220V air pump and lots of mudding and gluing and ill post my pic by the 19th of oct

Proud Plumber · 09-30-2008, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Finley

Build it the same way you'd build a shower pan and a steam shower.

Mastic is a no-no. I think that's the stuff the professor used when he made the bathtub on Giligan's island.

Mike, not to impose on great feedback but..... mastic was used to construct the SS minnow, not the tub. I will have to review but I thought Ginger and Mary Ann had a slipper tub.

Sorry, I couldn't resist........

October 19th cannot come fast enough for me.

jarvis design · 10-13-2008, 08:34 AM

Mastic??? Are you serious??

You are going to try to build a custom tile tub?? Do yourself a BIG favor - leave tiling to professionals who know what they are doing and what materials to use.

We all can't be experts in everything you know (for example - I know how to build a house from the ground up - just don't ask me to do any wiring!)