Page 494 - 2018 National Home Improvement

2018 National Home Improvement Estimator, All Rights Reserved Page 395

Bathtub Framing
When adding a bathtub, more framing may be needed to support the heavy weight of a tub filled with
water. Where joists are parallel to the length of the tub, double joists under the outer edge of the tub.
The inner edge is usually supported by wall framing. Use hangers or wood blocks as supports where the
tub meets enclosing walls. See Figure 14-3.

Utility Walls
Walls that enclose new plumbing stacks or venting may require special framing. A 4" soil stack won't fit
in a standard 2 x 4 stud wall. If a thicker wall is needed, frame it with 2 x 6 top and bottom plates and 2
x 4 studs placed flatwise at the edge of the plates. See Figure 14-4A. This leaves the center of the wall
open for running both supply and drain pipes.

A 3" vent stack will fit in a 2 x 4 stud wall. But the hole for the vent will require cutting away most of the
top plate. To repair the top plate, nail scabs cut from 2 x 4s on each side of the vent. See Figure 14-4B.