Clawfoot tubs are beautiful and comfortable, bringing elegance to your home. However, the big issue with a clawfoot tub is how to stop it from moving. If you have smooth, untextured floors, this is more likely, but a tub can shift either way. Especially with an adult and water’s weight, it’s not hard to slosh yourself out of position. This is problematic, not only because of space but because the pipes connecting your tub may detach. Avoiding that level of mess and repair work is important. Moreover, it just feels insecure. I will walk you through the easiest way to secure the tub feet to the floor and offer some other great ideas and tips for clawfoot tubs as well.
How do you stop a clawfoot tub from moving? You can use silicone to stop a clawfoot tub from moving. Using a generous amount of this waterproof sealant, you can easily seal the feet to the floor without damaging your tub or flooring. This simple, inexpensive DIY is a great way to save a ton of time and trouble.
Steps to Stop a Clawfoot Tub From Moving
Stopping your clawfoot tub from moving isn’t as difficult as you might think. I will explain how below in detail so that you can feel secure while you bathe. It’s wise to secure the feet to prevent damage to your floor, pipes, and anything else the tub might slide over or into.
For this simple solution, you will need some clear silicone caulk. There are both squeeze-tubes and caulk-gun tubes available. Additionally, you may want a caulking gun and a pair of heavy-duty scissors, depending on which style of silicone you are using.
I recommend a high-quality clear silicone like GE GE012A All Purpose Sealant Caulk from Amazon. Regardless of the material the feet are made from, silicone caulk can help you create a nonslip bond between your tub and the floor. This heavy-duty caulk adheres well to most wood, vinyl siding, drywall, metal, glass, and plastic. GE012A is weatherproof so that it can handle moisture in a bathroom. Have GE delivered to your door by clicking here.
Hold Your Clawfoot Tub In Place The Easy Way
- Get Clear Silicone Caulk- White or other opaque caulking will also work, but the clear variety will look nicer and blend in with the bathroom no matter the color scheme. It is vital that you choose a waterproof caulk and check to see that it is both mold and mildew resistant.
- Cut The Tip- Most caulk requires you to cut off the tip. Remove the cap and snip that tip to make a hole, then replace the cap. You can skip this step and the next if you opt for a squeezable silicone tube instead.
- Load Your Caulking-Gun- Slide the caulk tube into the slot, and move the metal piece into place to dispense.
- Apply The Caulk- You want to create a layer at least as thick as your thumb around the base of each foot. Make sure you get the silicone on the floor and into any niches in the foot’s design as well for a good hold.
- Wait- Drying times vary based on the type and brand of caulk you choose. Typically they will form a skin within thirty minutes, but it’s best to leave it alone to cure for one to two days before you get it wet or use the tub.
Flex Shot Rubber Adhesive Sealant Caulk will help you stop those feet from slipping. This formula is clear so that it will blend better with your bathroom color scheme. Plus, it’s easy to use, and you don’t even need a caulking gun. Best of all, Flex Shot won’t shrink or crack, and it’s mildew resistant, which is important in a damp bathroom environment. Read the Amazon reviews by clicking here.
How Do You Secure an Acrylic Clawfoot Tub to the Floor
Acrylic clawfoot tubs are easier to permanently affix to the floor than those with solid metal feet. I will explain how to an acrylic clawfoot tub to the floor as a permanent installation. Fortunately, unlike some older clawfoot tubs’ heavier metal, this style is easy enough to drill a hole into.
First, you need to mark the exact anchor locations for the feet on your floor. You should pre-drill a hole in the foot and the floor. Next, line up your holes and place the tub where you need it to stay so that the holes are matched on all four feet.
Lastly, you will need lag bolts and washers. Screw these into your holes and feet, making sure to tighten them down with a drill or wrench. Once you’re done, you should be able to use the tub right away.
What Can I Put Under My Clawfoot Tub Feet to Stabilize It
Clawfoot tubs can have other issues than merely figuring out how to keep them from moving. Sometimes your tub, or your floor, is uneven. This can lead to rocking and sliding on the floor. While it’s best to secure a moving tub with lag bolts or silicone caulk, a wobbly tub has a different but equally simple solution.
Instead of drilling down, or sealing around the feet, try out a set of clawfoot tub coasters. These work exactly like a coaster for a cup on the table. Sitting in place and giving your clawfoot tub a flat, even resting place will solve the stabilization issues.
You may need different sizes of coasters to get the appropriate lift for extremely uneven feet or floors. Nevertheless, a set of tub coasters should be all you need. If you still have stability problems after installing coasters, the issue is likely with one or more of the tubs’ feet.
I have heard of people using coins and other non-coaster wedges for small gaps. However, I recommend choosing a professional solution rather than trying to rig up something. After all, your clawfoot tub weighs a lot and will pressure whatever is below the feet. To protect the floor and the tub feet, you want a coaster to distribute the weight evenly.
Why Do My Clawfoot Tub Feet Keep Falling Off
Sometimes the problem with your clawfoot tub isn’t just how to keep it from moving. If the feet fall off, then you have a different and potentially dangerous problem. Fortunately, it’s one you can fix.
It’s vital to understand that some floors can’t handle the load of a full clawfoot tub. As a result, you can end up punching holes in the floor. When it feels like a foot just fell off, it’s a horrible sensation, but always check to see if they are still there once you’re safely out of the tub.
Sometimes it’s an attachment issue. If your tub has feet attached by a slot-in process, there could be a broken section out of view. Likewise, stripped screws can be the culprit. However, for older tubs, the feet are often welded in place.
You can re-weld a mostly intact clawfoot. Unfortunately, if the foot has broken, you will either need to find a matching replacement or have one cast from one of the remaining intact feet and then weld that into place.
Be aware that porcelain may not take the heat from the welding process and could crack. If the cradle and feet are removable, you need to take them off the tub first. When this is not a functional solution, you may need to hire a professional or even replace the tub. Remember to secure the new feet if you replace the tub to prevent future slippage.
Use some Gorilla 100 Percent Silicone Sealant Caulk to keep those claw feet in place. Not only will it help them stay in place on the floor, but that can help prevent them from coming off the tub as well. Furthermore, Gorilla brand adhesives are well-known and trusted. This indoor-outdoor hundred-percent waterproof caulk is good for bathroom applications and won’t let moisture in once it’s set. Plus, it is also mold, mildew, shrink and crack proof. To get yours from Amazon, click here.
Final Thoughts
For those who are just installing a clawfoot tub for the first time, make sure you plan to secure the feet as well. It may seem trifling, but taking the extra few seconds to apply silicone to the feet will save you a great deal of trouble down the road. No one wants to feel their tub move while they bathe.
In addition to the odd sensation of a moving tub, securing your clawfoot to the floor will prevent damages. Whether it is the walls, flooring, or pipes, a mobile bathtub is dangerous to everything around. While the person inside is less likely to get hurt, they’ll certainly be alarmed if a shifting tub suddenly comes uncoupled from the drain and starts pouring their bathwater out of the drain hole.
Ensuring that a clawfoot tub remains in place is something too few people consider. The weight is deceptive, and without this small additional step, you could end up making major repairs to your bathroom.
