Recently did a new construction pre drywall and found they had used a shipping pallet to raise the floor for the soaker tub. I called this out as a defect, had the builder call me trying to justify it saying it had passed county inspections and their plumber installed some like this in the past. first time im seeing this done. I would take issue due the pallet not being a conventional building material that may be soaked in chemicals that would not be allowed in a residence. While a pallet is strong, it is not intended for home construction and may not be as durable as conventional methods. What are your thoughts?
This sounds hilarious. You can’t tease us with this and not show us photos!
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, still no photos after 12 hrs?
I know of nothing that would prohibit the use of a pallet as a base like we are seeing. It could be the pallet that tub was shipped on. I would try to find something to support what you are claiming and then your opinion would have more weight.
I see the photo. Definitely a pallet, what a hack.
As Scott said it may be the pallet the tub was shipped on. My problem with that is that it will weigh a lot more when you fill it up with water (it was shipped empty wasn’t it?). Will the pallet support all that weight? For how long (until the warranty runs out)?
The tub isn’t even centered on the pallet base. If it were centered, maybe would be ok in real life. But I still doubt the manufacture would approve.
My former employer shipped 10s of thousands of pallets of stuff per year.
The only time weight was a concern was if the pallet started getting much over 4000lbs. Even a 250 gallon soaker tub would only be around 2000lb of water and maybe another 500lb of tub. That’s well within what a pallet can hold.
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It looks like the pallet is only providing some of the support. Much of it is supplied by the 2x frame under the rim.
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The answer to this dilemma is the same as always. What do the installation instructions (manufacturer) say.
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As Robert states:
However that is wrong from so many aspects and you’re of no use to the client if you don’t perform your job to provide them the reason why it is wrong. For that all you have to do is:
- Look around the base of the tub for the manufacturer label. If not there lift the cardboard to find the logo on the tub. Hell who knows that cardboard is most likely the manufacturer’s outer shipping box with information on it.
- Go to the manufacturer site, or other, to pull the installation requirements. None of the Building Codes will specifically handle this aspect and instead require it follow the manufacturer’s requirements.
- Write your report with the FUBAR errors and provide the link to the instructions so the “DA” Builder and “DA” AHJ don’t have to spend time reading the materials that come with the tub. Just because the Builder installs it this way every time and the AHJ approves it every time only means they are wrong every time!
I see stupid crap like this all the time!
BTW did you look for and find the provisions for a temperature limiting valve for the tub?
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Exactly, that tub design is supported by the edge around the entire tub. The base support is pretty much to help distribute the weight and to support the bottom.
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Thank you all for the insights. It doesn’t appear there is a clear consensus beyond that the manufacturer likely doesn’t approve; however, it is probably strong enough.
just wanted to give an update. The builder replaced the pallet. Thanks all!
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With what… a plastic (waterproof) pallet??
Thanks for the update since we infrequently hear about them. But can you share what they did to correct it after removing the pallet?