How to Rebrace a Bathtub

Open up the tub enclosure so you can see the studs beside the tub’s long edge that runs along the wall. If you have access panels built into the tub enclosure, use them. If you don’t, you need to cut open an access hatch.

Choose an 18-by-18-inch area on the tub enclosure that is next to the long wall. Move the grout cutter down the line of grout around the tiles that need to be removed. Press into the grout firmly and move the cutter in long strokes. Once you have deeply scored the grout, use the screwdriver to pry the tiles free, exposing the cement board beneath. Avoid breaking the tiles so you can reuse them. Unscrew the cement board from the wooden frame inside the tub enclosure. Place the board off to one side.

Look inside the tub enclosure and locate the wall studs next to the tub. Use the flashlight if you need more illumination. If you see original braces connected to the wall studs within your reach, unscrew them from the stud and discard them. If the braces are located beside other studs, leave them. They will not harm anything by remaining in place.

Measure the distance from the top of the floor brace on which the wall studs sit to the underside of the top lip of the bathtub.

Mark the distance you just measured onto the two-by-four twice with the pencil. Cut two lengths of wood from the board with the circular saw on those marks. These are your braces.

Slide the first brace into place beside the wall stud closest to the bathtub’s corner. The two-by-four should be half on the floor brace and half off so part of the top edge of the brace is wedged under the tub lip. Tap the brace into place with the mallet if necessary. Screw the brace into the wall stud to secure it.

Install the next brace beside the next wall stud if more support is needed for the tub.

Screw the cement board back into place. Mix up a batch of thin-set mortar and retile the exposed board.