Author: The Avaire Team
Date: 7/19/2008 11:28 pm EDT
A number of websites sell a "coaster" designed to distribute the weight and protect the floor. Do a google search using the terms
clawfoot tub coaster
and you will find them. Here is one site:
http://www.signaturehardware.com/class218
If possible, you'll want to avoid having the legs span a grout joint. Also, please take extra care to ensure the subfloor under the tiles is flat and stable.
I haven't seen one of these coasters, but it would be best if there was a thin later of felt or other padding on the bottom of the coaster.
A cast iron tub can weigh 300 pounds. Add 50 gallons of water (400 pounds) and 250+ pounds for a person, and you have nearly 1,000 pounds of weight! If the subfloor is solid and you use coasters, you should be OK.