Hey everyone, I just got an acrylic soaking tub that sits in the corner with two sides exposed and two sides against the wall. I hired a plumber to help with the drain and overflow setup, and while he was at it, he also assisted with the mortar bed. Unfortunately, I didn't have enough mortar for the job, and we ended up using what I had, which wasn't nearly enough. After everything was set, I discovered there was a 1-2 inch gap between the mortar bed and the tub base, with only the feet sitting in the mortar. I tried adding more mortar today using a piping bag, but the mortar set too quickly, and I couldn't get enough in there. now I'm wondering if I could use spray foam to fill this gap. I know it's generally not recommended, and the tub manufacturer advised against it since it might not adhere properly. But I've had some success with a little test foam. So, is there a heavy-duty spray foam that I could use, or am I better off trying to remove everything and start fresh? Breaking it all up isn't really in my budget or timeline, so I'm looking for alternatives here!
2 Answers
Honestly, using spray foam sounds like a temporary fix that could cause more trouble in the long run. The foam might compress, and you could end up with cracking in your tub floor. If you're set on not breaking it down, a better alternative might be leaving it as is for a while. You could try leaning on some other supporting methods until you can afford to fix it properly. Just be careful!
I’m not sure a spray foam would hold up over time. Most forms of spray foam tend to compress under weight, which could lead to your tub cracking after a while. Instead, you might want to consider trying to break up the existing mortar and start fresh. I know that sounds like a hassle, but it could save you from bigger issues down the line. If you can get access from the side, you might be able to chip away at the mortar and reapply it properly. Just my two cents!
Thanks for your feedback! I hadn't thought of breaking it up as an option, but it might just be worth considering. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts!