Soundproofing a steel bath
The bathroom is an integral part of any home or apartment. This secluded place is in every home. Here, everyone can relax and be in silence after a hard day at work, so the room should be well equipped and protected. More recently, bathtubs were made of cast iron. This material is famous for its durability and good sound insulation. However, today many companies make bathtubs from steel and other materials that are lighter and have a stylish appearance. How to soundproof such a bathtub?
The content of the article
Features of steel baths
A bathtub is a sanitary container in which hygiene procedures are carried out. You can also do laundry and perform various types of household work in it.
Today the most popular are steel models. They are lighter and have a stylish appearance. In addition, they will last at least 20 years. To give brightness and smoothness, the container is coated with transparent enamel. The features of this plumbing fixture are:
- Ease. The weight of a steel bathtub is two times less than that of a cast iron one. Therefore, it can be easily transported and installed in any room.
- Large range of models. Steel is much more ductile than cast iron. Therefore, bathtubs of different shapes, sizes and colors are created from this material.
- Durable enamel coating. Such a surface will last a long time, and its beautiful appearance will delight the owners for many years.
Remember! Although steel bathtubs are very practical and beautiful, they have several disadvantages: poor sound insulation and rapid cooling. The steel bowl heats up quickly, but also cools down quickly due to its high thermal conductivity. In addition, the noise when filling the bathtub causes considerable discomfort.
Popular methods of sound insulation
There are many ways to reduce vibration, the cause of noise. This can be done at the installation stage or already during operation. The choice of soundproofing method is up to you.
Polyurethane foam
The easiest way to soundproof is to treat the bottom with polyurethane foam. This method allows you not only to get rid of noise, but also to increase the thermal insulation of the walls. If the bathtub is not connected, then you just need to turn it upside down. In the case when the plumbing has already been connected, you need to turn off the water and dismantle the bathtub.
Before work, the bottom must be thoroughly cleaned of dust and dirt, after which the surface must be degreased with alcohol or a special solution. The holes must be protected from foam with masking tape. To ensure good adhesion to the surface, you must first apply a sealant to the silicone mesh, then generously cover the entire surface of the bathtub with foam.
Foamed polyethylene
To soundproof the bowl with polyethylene, first disconnect it from the water supply and turn it over. Clean and degrease the surface. For better adhesion, you need to divide the polyethylene mats into several parts, and then tightly stick the film onto the product.
Smooth the film well so that there are no bubbles. After the entire bowl is covered with film, return it to its original position and connect to the water supply.
Now your plumbing is protected, and the sound of water will not interfere when filling the container. And most importantly, you can avoid the appearance of mold and rust on the steel surface.
Other options
To eliminate noise and maintain heat in the bathtub, it is not necessary to use only polyurethane foam or film. If you don't trust this material or prefer other insulation methods, take a look at a few more proven methods of protection.
The following materials are used for this:
- Vibroizol. This material is sold in auto parts stores. It is designed for waterproofing cars. It has a rubberized base with an adhesive layer. It can also be used to protect steel bathtubs. Vibroizol easily adheres to any surface, so it is fixed directly to the outside of the bowl.
- Technical jam. Made from cork oak. This is a very durable and environmentally friendly material. It does not rot and has no odor. High noise insulation and low thermal conductivity are the main advantages of technical cork. In addition, the material is pre-treated with a non-flammable substance, this protects it from fire.
- Liquid acrylic. The material has high strength and good sound insulation. When applying liquid acrylic to the surface, no drips or marks remain. The coating will last at least 5 years. In addition, a bathtub with an acrylic coating looks beautiful and fits into any interior.
- Vibroplast. The material has a plastic structure. It is based on polymer glue. Vibroplast is an excellent soundproofing material that is suitable for any product. The material does not absorb moisture, does not rot or decompose. Therefore, it is often used to insulate plumbing fixtures.
Today on the market you can find a wide range of insulating materials for plumbing. This helps to quickly and efficiently soundproof steel bathtubs.
High-quality sound insulation not only helps to get rid of excess noise, but also ensures long-term service of plumbing fixtures. To ensure that the bathtub stays firmly in place and does not leak, fix it in the designated area with liquid nails or special silicone. This will help prevent water from leaking onto the floor and prevent mold from forming.