If your bathtub lip sticks out, it’s likely due to a faulty seal between the shell and the wall.
There are several ways you can fix a sticking bathtub lip. So, what do you do if the bathtub lip sticks out?
When your bathtub lip sticks out, you have a few options for fixing it.
You can ignore it, which is fine if it’s a small lip, but if it sticks out too much, you risk someone getting injured or falling down in the tub.
You can also push it in with your foot. This is okay for small lips that are sticking out slightly, but it’s dangerous if the lip is sticking out too much and you can’t push it down all the way.
Finally, you can call a plumber who can fix it for you. This is the best choice if you have a large lip sticking out.
If the lip is sticking out slightly, there is no need to call a plumber.
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What To Do If The Bathtub Lip Sticks Out
Retry Placing Drywall Or Tiles
When installing drywall or tiles around the bathtub, the tub lip may stick out.
This forces the drywall or tile installers to patch the drywall or tile where the tub lip sticks out.
However, this can be avoided by trimming the tub lip first before installing drywall or tiles.
Staple The Shim Into Place
When you’re installing a bathtub, the tub’s lip should line up with the wall.
If the lip sticks out, you can use a staple to shimmy it into place. Place the staple under the lip so it’s hidden from view.
Then place the lip on the tub and screw it into place, using a screwdriver. Finally, place the shim on the staple and press it against the wall so the lip lines up properly.
Cut & Place A Shim In The Gap
If the bathtub lip sticks out, put shims in between the bathtub and the wall. This will bring the lip of the bathtub flush with the wall, so the bathtub can fill up with water.
Measure The Gap
If the bathtub lip sticks out and the base is not square to the wall, measure the gap.
Take a piece of string, mark its length with a pen on the wall, and tack it to the wall at the distance of the gap. Hold the level against the string and see if it is level or not.
If the string is not level, mark a line on the wall where the string is level, mark the wall where the top of the tub is, and mark the opposite wall where the bottom of the tub is.
Measure the distance between the first two marks and mark it on the wall.
Measure the distance between the last two marks and mark it on the wall. If the tub lip sticks out beyond the wall, measure the distance between the two marks on the wall and mark it on the wall.
Measure the gap in the tub lip and mark it on the wall. Mark the lip of the tub where it needs to be cut.
To cut the tub lip, use a circular saw with a square blade.Mark the lip of the tub where it needs to be cut.
To cut the tub lip, use a circular saw with a square blade.
Do You Tile Over the Lip of a Bathtub?
If you tile over the bath tubs, keep the cement board away from the tub’s lip.
Apply it to the wall with the joint compound following the grout line with a trowel and then install the ceramic tile over that.
Does Backer Board Go Over Tub Lip?
To provide the tile with a secure foundation when tiling over the bath tub, apply backer board to the walls behind the drain.
To achieve plumb walls, it is good practice to cut shims to install below the back edge of the base board to provide the correct pitch for the shower pan and the floor tile to fit flush with the walls of the shower stall.
The tub ledge and the backer board should be fastened together using screws or a construction adhesive before tiling over them to prevent the backer board from sagging or falling away from the walls over time.
Do You Leave a Gap Between Tile and Tub?
Unbelievably, bathtubs expand when filled with water due to changes in temperature and the chemicals found in water, such as chlorine.
The tile won’t fracture as the temperature changes, but the grout will crack if the grout line is too close to the edge of the rim.
Additionally, a 1/16′′ gap enables the caulk to bond well.
Also Read: How To Remove Gray Stains In Bathtub
Final Words
The best advice to use when remodeling the bathroom is to keep one’s head cool and think through each step carefully before starting the project.
The best fix for a cracked tile is always to hire a professional to handle the situation correctly the first time rather than trying to do it yourself and potentially making things worse in the process.
To close the gap, the bathtub can be re-caulked, but it is difficult to match the color of the caulk when the bathtub has a textured surface or glaze finish on it.
To do this, measure the area of the crack, then order more caulk of the same brand and color.
Once finished, start adding grout to the gaps with a rubber float to ensure a uniform appearance between the tiles and the rest of the floor.
The measurements are the gaps between the wall and the tile, as well as the gap between the tiles themselves.
You’ll want to get everything just right, so take your time and get the measurements right before you start cutting and measuring out the materials needed for the project.
This may take some time and concentration, but it is the best way to avoid any problems down the line.
