RickH
Reged: 02/13/03
Posts: 1606
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Have a one piece fiberglass tub/surround unit. On one end of tub about 1.5 ft from drain if you stand there for shower you can feel the tub has some give to it, just in one section, like it is not sitting on the floor only in that one spot. It isn't the center but more on the sides of the center. Not a lot of give, but give none the less. I saw on a home improvement show (Holmes on Homes) they had a similar situation and remember the guy saying it is one of two things: either the styrofoam bottom of tub unit is not sitting totally on floor as floor is not level OR the supporting joist has come away from the sub floor. I didn't pay much attention as was not my problem, but know they ended up just reaching under tube and spraying foam into the space that was not making contact, and all is well.
I am replacing floor in bath so now would be great time to fix this give. I totally understand if I rip up piece of subfloor in front of tube, where it seems to give I could look under and see if space between subfloor and joist, and fill that space (shims, or foam). but if it is between tub and subfloor, I have no access that I can think of to get in a fill space (other than removing entire tub unit, which I of course don't want to do). Anyone had this experience? Thanks.
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Idoitall
Handyman
Reged: 02/13/05
Posts: 1170
Loc: Southeast
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Not sure what happened to this reply, but it's not showing up now. Did the police remove it??
I'll give you a few things to check while others post back.
How old is the unit? The FG backing support can fail/crack over time as do other FG products. And many of us, including me, are bigger than it may have been designed for years ago.
If there is "give" there, then something has likely happened to the support. Could be the unit was not properly supported when installed and now showing up, could be the subfloor drooped too.
If you have a subfloor then look underneath for signs of drooping there. If that's it, then it can be jacked up and resupported fairly easily. However, the damage may already be done to the tub unit. Check the joist spacing (16", 24") and where the give is in relation to the joist. This can help diagnose what you can't see.
Surely you can get access to see from one of the 3 sides. Maybe in a closet, an opposing wall (inside), etc. May require opening the wall to see.
These tubs can be repaired by a pro, even cutting large holes in them and repairing the back and support. Consider replacement cost if taking this option.
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Her Handyman
P.S. Everyone seems normal until you get to know them!
Edited by Idoitall (02/02/10 07:17 PM)
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Bob_Fleming
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 06/28/01
Posts: 23579
Loc: Eagle, CO USA
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Whenever I installed such a unit I put some mortar under the tub. That usually works well. Not sure how well spray foam will last. It works well in many situations but a weight-bearing situation is not what it is designed for.
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FranS
The Boss Mare
Reged: 01/21/02
Posts: 39648
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bob: holmes uses this pro-type very thick yellow and sgray type foam, not the cheap yellow stuff we get in the can.
idoitall: no one deleted it, sometimes we lose our posts before they even get posted. we think they are there, but they are not. it's a glitch. luckily, doesn't happen often. i always highlight and copy my post before i hit the send button, just in case. if i lose it, i can paste my "copy". 
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Idoitall
Handyman
Reged: 02/13/05
Posts: 1170
Loc: Southeast
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I think the answer is he posted the same one later in plumbing and I didn't catch it. No problem. 
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Her Handyman
P.S. Everyone seems normal until you get to know them!
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peleliu
journeyman
Reged: 01/05/08
Posts: 82
Loc: Winston-Salem, NC
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Many fiberglass tub manufacturers recommend against using expanding foam under a tub because as it expands it will cause the tub to crack. A mortar or grout bed is often used. I don't know why Holmes used foam unless it was a minimal expanding type (like Great Stuff for windows and doors) that has a low pressure formulation.
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FranS
The Boss Mare
Reged: 01/21/02
Posts: 39648
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wasn't Great Stuff, he uses professional type foam for things. ocassionally, he' used the minimal expansion yellow stuff for door jambs and such. he also uses special spray foam for insulation. a grayish blue type foam. pros put it in.
yes, i watch every show of his I can find.
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