Is Drywall Compound an Acceptable Substitute for Mortar Mix for Under the Tub?

[Hammer]

I'm installing a drop in type acrylic tub that someone suggested using a (5) gal. container of drywall compound as an acceptable substitute for mortar mix........is this true?

 

[Twowaxhack]

No, I wouldn’t use it.

 

[Riickk]

Deleted

 

[breplum]

Absolutely not

 

[MrInfoPhilly]

I'm installing a drop in type acrylic tub that someone suggested using a (5) gal. container of drywall compound as an acceptable substitute for mortar mix........is this true?

Use self leveling concrete,
Drywall compound will crack and crumble.
That suggestion is like when I told my buddy the fluid was low on his light bar on his tow truck...

 

[Twowaxhack]

I use sand topping mix. It’s sand + cement and can be up to 2” thick.

I mix it on the wet side.

 

[RickFlorida]

I'm installing a drop in type acrylic tub that someone suggested using a (5) gal. container of drywall compound as an acceptable substitute for mortar mix........is this true?

I always do what Twowaxhack says. You definitely do not want to use drywall compound. That's absurd. With the labor and cost of ripping out an old tub/shower and then installing a new one, you need to use the best materials. You want strength, and a "solid" feel from the mortar bed. The strength of concrete type mortars is going to be exponentially greater than drywall compound. I cant' believe this post is real. And lastly, you want things to last as long as possible. My thought process is that when I do my own work on the house, I'm saving so much in labor that you can use the best materials and still come out ahead.

 

[havasu]

I use sand topping mix. It’s sand + cement and can be up to 2” thick.

I mix it on the wet side.

View attachment 44535

Is that a mortar mix, or is lime omitted from the mixture?

 

[Twowaxhack]

Is that a mortar mix, or is lime omitted from the mixture?

https://www.quikrete.com/productlines/sandtoppingmix.asp

 

[nebojsa]

Some have used expanding foam to fill the cavity.You would have to frame out a wall around the plumbing so the foam does not cover it.

 

[three_jeeps]

I'm installing a drop in type acrylic tub that someone suggested using a (5) gal. container of drywall compound as an acceptable substitute for mortar mix........is this true?

definitely not!!! what a stupid idea. Use self leveling concrete.

 

[havasu]

I believe the only stupid question is the one which is not asked.

 

[three_jeeps]

I believe the only stupid question is the one which is not asked.

I agree, which is why I said the idea/suggestion is stupid, not the question.

 

[Twowaxhack]

I’m stupid but ask smart questions.

 

[BlueSkyHigh]

https://www.quikrete.com/productlines/sandtoppingmix.asp

................consists of a uniformly blended mixture of Portland cement, commercial grade sands and "other approved ingredients". Gee, I wonder.............

 

[Twowaxhack]

................consists of a uniformly blended mixture of Portland cement, commercial grade sands and "other approved ingredients". Gee, I wonder.............

Cocaine dust

 

[Hammer]

Thanks for the replies...........looks like the green top compound is not the way to go.

 

[Hammer]

I use sand topping mix. It’s sand + cement and can be up to 2” thick.

I mix it on the wet side.

View attachment 44535

Looks like you used building paper on the subfloor before the sand topping mix. I have a self-leveling compound over the area where the tub sets.......would I still need to use the barrier between the floor and the self-leveling compound?

 

[Twowaxhack]

Looks like you used building paper on the subfloor before the sand topping mix. I have a self-leveling compound over the area where the tub sets.......would I still need to use the barrier between the floor and the self-leveling compound?

Naw, I just used tar paper because I was upstairs on a wood subfloor.

 

[Hammer]

https://www.quikrete.com/productlines/sandtoppingmix.asp

Would Quikrete Mortar Mix do the job also?