Kohler K-1106 User manual

Installation Guide
Drop-In 120 V Bath Whirlpool
K-1106, K-1112, K-1114,
K-1126, K-1131, K-1139,
K-1144, K-1146, K-1148,
K-1154, K-1157, K-1160,
K-1162, K-1164, K-1192,
K-1194, K-1196, K-1198,
K-1201, K-1209, K-1221,
K-1224, K-1226, K-1231,
K-1239, K-1244, K-1246,
K-1248, K-1257, K-1263,
K-1266, K-1337
Mproduct numbers are for Mexico (i.e. K-12345M)
Los números de productos seguidos de Mcorresponden a México
(Ej. K-12345M)
Français, page ″Français-1″
Español, página ″Español-1″
1010564-2-H

Important Information
WARNING: When using electrical products, basic precautions should always be followed, including
the following:
Building materials and wiring should be routed away from the pump body and other heat-producing
components of the unit.
Install to permit access for servicing.
Grounding is required. The unit should be installed by a qualified service representative, and grounded.
WARNING: Risk of electric shock. A licensed electrician should make all electrical connections.
WARNING: Risk of electric shock. Disconnect power before servicing.
WARNING: Risk of injury or property damage. Please read all instructions thoroughly before
beginning installation, including the following requirements.
NOTICE: Follow all local plumbing and electrical codes.
Product Information
Electrical Requirements
The installation must have a Class A Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter (GFCI). The GFCI protects against
line-to-ground shock hazard. Use a 120 V, 15 A, 60 Hz dedicated service for the whirlpool.
″H″models require a separate 120 V, 15 A, 60 Hz dedicated service for the heater.
NOTE: If the pump supply cord is damaged, it must be replaced by the manufacturer, its service agent or
similarly qualified persons in order to avoid a hazard. The heater supply cord cannot be replaced. If the
cord is damaged the heater should be scrapped.
Product Notices
WARNING: Unauthorized modification may cause unsafe operation and poor performance of the
whirlpool. Do not relocate the whirlpool pump, or make other modifications to the whirlpool system,
as this could adversely affect the performance and safe operation of the whirlpool. Kohler Co. shall not
be liable under its warranty or otherwise for personal injury or damage caused by any such
unauthorized modification.
WARNING: Risk of electrical shock. Disconnect power before servicing.
WARNING: Risk of electrical shock. A licensed electrician should make all electrical connections.
WARNING: Risk of injury or property damage. Please read all instructions thoroughly before
beginning installation.
NOTICE: Follow all local plumbing and electrical codes.
Factory-Assembled Features
Factory installed components include pump with power supply cord and air switch transmitter. No
installation is needed.
″H″models are also supplied with a factory assembled heater.
An optional timer kit is available for certain models.
The whirlpool pump and piping are factory-assembled.
Connections and Service Access
1010564-2-H 2 Kohler Co.

Important Information (cont.)
Before installation, ensure proper access to the final connections.
NOTICE: Provide unrestricted service access to the pump. You must provide access for servicing the
pump and controls. The access must be located immediately next to the pump. Study the roughing-in
information packed with the whirlpool.
Table of Contents
Important Information .............................................................. 2
Thank You For Choosing Kohler Company .............................................. 4
Tools and Materials ............................................................... 4
Before You Begin ................................................................. 4
Prepare the Site ................................................................. 5
Prepare the Whirlpool ............................................................. 6
Secure the Unit — Models With Support Blocks .......................................... 6
Secure the Whirlpool to the Stud Framing ............................................... 8
Secure the Unit — Models With Whirlpool Base .......................................... 9
Cut the Pump Banding Straps ...................................................... 10
Install the Plumbing .............................................................. 10
Install a Rim-Mounted Faucet ....................................................... 11
Make Electrical Connections ........................................................ 12
Test Run the Whirlpool ............................................................ 13
Complete the Finished Deck ........................................................ 14
Complete the Finished Wall ........................................................ 15
Clean-Up After Installation ......................................................... 15
Confirm Proper Operation .......................................................... 15
Troubleshooting Procedure ......................................................... 17
Kohler Co. 3 1010564-2-H

Thank You For Choosing Kohler Company
We appreciate your commitment to Kohler quality. Please take a few minutes to review this manual before
you start installation. If you encounter any installation or performance problems, please don’t hesitate to
contact us. Our phone numbers and website are listed on the back cover. Thanks again for choosing Kohler
Company.
Tools and Materials
Before You Begin
CAUTION: Risk of product damage. Do not lift the whirlpool by the piping or pump, or use the
piping or pump for structural support of the whirlpool.
We recommend this whirlpool for drop-in installation.
Inspect the whirlpool for damage before you begin installation.
You must install this whirlpool to an adequately supported, level subfloor.
Confirm adequate mounting and connection space for the faucet specified for your installation.
Kohler Co. reserves the right to make revisions in the design of products without notice, as specified
in the Price Book.
Sealant Pencil
Level
Pipe Wrench
Plus:
• Conventional woodworking tools
and materials
• Drop Cloth
• Construction adhesive (optional)
• Cement or mortar (optional)
• 2x4's or 2x6's
Safety Glasses
Tape Measure
1010564-2-H 4 Kohler Co.

1. Prepare the Site
NOTICE: Unless otherwise specified, floor support under the whirlpool must provide for a minimum of
80 lbs/square foot (390 kg/square meter) loading.
NOTICE: Do not support the whirlpool by the rim.
Make sure the flooring offers adequate support for your whirlpool, and verify that the subfloor is
flat and level.
The whirlpool should be installed in a drop-in, flush, or tiled ledge installation. Construct 2x4 or 2x6
stud framing designed for your particular installation. Provide for a 1/16″(2 mm) gap between the
bottom of the whirlpool rim and the stud framing for drop-in installations. Frame the floor, or
construct a frame for a raised installation in accordance with the roughing-in information packed
with the whirlpool.
Carefully lay out and cut the rough deck material. Use the cut-out template if one is provided, or
refer to the roughing-in cut-out information.
Position the plumbing according to the roughing-in information packed. Cap the supplies, and
check for leaks.
Drop-In Installation
Whirlpool
Rim
Do not support
the whirlpool
by the rim.
Use the roughing-in
information to
construct the stud
framing.
Allow for the thickness of
the planned deck material.
Wood
Batten
Whirlpool
Rim
Flush Installation
Whirlpool
Rim
Use the roughing-in
information to
construct the stud
framing.
Tiled Ledge Installation
Kohler Co. 5 1010564-2-H

2. Prepare the Whirlpool
Install the drain to the whirlpool according to the drain manufacturer’s instructions. Do not connect
the trap at this time.
Position a clean drop cloth or similar material in the bottom of the whirlpool. Be careful not to
scratch the surface of the whirlpool.
3. Secure the Unit — Models With Support Blocks
CAUTION: Risk of product damage. Do not lift the whirlpool by the piping or pump, or use the
piping or pump for structural support of the whirlpool.
CAUTION: Risk of product damage. Do not support the whirlpool by the rim.
Choose the installation option that best applies to your particular installation. Follow the
appropriate instructions.
If the subfloor is not level, shim the whirlpool support blocks as necessary.
Option Using a Cement or Mortar Bed
NOTE: Do not use gypsum cement or drywall compound for this application, as they will not provide an
acceptable, durable bond.
NOTE: The pump support bracket (when the pump banding straps are cut) and support blocks must
rest directly on the subfloor.
Spread a 2″(5.1 cm) thick layer of cement or mortar on the subfloor where the whirlpool will be set.
This will help secure, level, and support the unit. Clear all the material away from the pump
support bracket and support block locations.
Position a piece of plastic drop cloth material on top of the cement or mortar bed. With help,
carefully lift the whirlpool into place, and make sure the pump support bracket and support blocks
do not rest in the bed material.
Insert the drain tailpiece into the trap. Make sure the whirlpool is level and resting on all support
blocks.
Remove the protective tape from the rim. Apply a continuous bead of high-quality silicone sealant
around the entire rim of the whirlpool.
Option Using Construction Adhesive
Apply a generous amount of high-quality construction adhesive to the bottom of the support blocks.
With help, carefully lift the whirlpool into position.
Position the rough
plumbing.
Frame the floor
according to the
roughing-in information.
Verify that the subfloor
offers adequate support,
and is flat and level.
Provide a 1/16" (2 mm) gap
between the whirlpool rim
and framing.
Construct 2x4 or 2x6
stud framing according
to the roughing-in
information.
1010564-2-H 6 Kohler Co.

Secure the Unit — Models With Support Blocks (cont.)
Insert the drain tailpiece into the trap. Make sure the whirlpool is level and resting on all support
blocks.
Remove the protective tape from the rim. Apply a continuous bead of high-quality silicone sealant
around the entire rim of the whirlpool.
Option Using Silicone Sealant
With help, carefully lift the whirlpool into position.
Insert the drain tailpiece into the trap. Make sure the whirlpool is level and resting on all support
blocks.
Remove the protective tape from the rim. Apply a continuous bead of high-quality silicone sealant
around the entire rim of the whirlpool.
Kohler Co. 7 1010564-2-H

4. Secure the Whirlpool to the Stud Framing
Option for Integral Flange Models
Drill a small pilot hole through the nailing-in flange at each stud. Add shims between the nailing-in
flange and the studs as needed to eliminate gaps.
Nail 1/4” (6 mm) thick furring strips to the studs to shim out to the edge of the nailing-in flange.
Use #6 large-head galvanized nails to secure the nailing-in flange to the studs.
For tile ledge installations, size and install a pressure-treated wood batten along the nailing-in
flange. Pre-drill nail holes through the wood batten and nailing-in flange before securing with
galvanized nails.
Nail 1/4" (6 mm) furring
strips to the studs.
Drill a small pilot
hole through the
nailing-in flange.
Use #6 large-head galvanized
nails to secure to the studs.
Install a pressure-treated wood
batten along the nailing-in flange.
Stud Framing
Stud Framing
1010564-2-H 8 Kohler Co.

5. Secure the Unit — Models With Whirlpool Base
CAUTION: Risk of product damage. Do not lift the whirlpool by the piping or pump, or use the
piping or pump for structural support of the whirlpool.
CAUTION: Risk of product damage. Do not support the whirlpool by the rim.
Choose the installation option that best applies to your particular installation. Follow the
appropriate instructions.
If the subfloor is not level, shim the whirlpool base as necessary.
Option Using a Cement or Mortar Bed
NOTE: Do not use gypsum cement or drywall compound for this application, as they will not provide an
acceptable, durable bond.
Spread a 2″(5.1 cm) thick layer of cement or mortar on the subfloor where the whirlpool will be set.
This will help secure, level, and support the unit.
Position a piece of plastic drop cloth material on top of the cement or mortar bed. With help,
carefully lift the whirlpool into place.
Insert the drain tailpiece into the trap. Make sure the whirlpool is level. Use screws or lag bolts to
secure the whirlpool base to the floor. Drill small pilot holes through the whirlpool base as needed.
Remove the protective tape from the rim. Apply a continuous bead of high-quality silicone sealant
around the entire rim of the whirlpool.
Option Using Construction Adhesive
Apply a generous amount of high-quality construction adhesive to the bottom of the whirlpool base.
With help, carefully lift the whirlpool into position.
Insert the drain tailpiece into the trap. Make sure the whirlpool is level. Use screws or lag bolts to
secure the whirlpool base to the floor. Drill small pilot holes through the whirlpool base as needed.
Remove the protective tape from the rim. Apply a continuous bead of high-quality silicone sealant
around the entire rim of the whirlpool.
Option Using Silicone Sealant
With help, carefully lift the whirlpool into position.
Insert the drain tailpiece into the trap. Make sure the whirlpool is level. Use screws or lag bolts to
secure the whirlpool base to the floor. Drill small pilot holes through the whirlpool base as needed.
Remove the protective tape from the rim. Apply a continuous bead of high-quality silicone sealant
around the entire rim of the whirlpool.
Spread a 2" (5.1 cm) layer of
cement or mortar bed material.
Apply a bead of
silicone sealant
around the entire
rim.
or
Apply construction
adhesive to the
whirlpool base.
Kohler Co. 9 1010564-2-H

6. Cut the Pump Banding Straps
NOTE: If your pump model does not have banding straps, proceed to the next section.
IMPORTANT! This step is necessary to make your Kohler whirlpool operate more quietly.
NOTE: Do not raise the pump higher than it was before you cut the pump banding straps. If the pump is
raised too high, it will not prime properly.
Use tin snips to cut the two pump banding straps. When the banding straps are cut, the pump
support bracket and pump will drop about 1/2″(1.3 cm) until they rest on the subfloor. If the pump
drops more than 1/2″(1.3 cm), shim under the pump support bracket so there is a 1/2″(1.3 cm)
gap between the pump and bracket to allow for proper drainage.
To minimize whirlpool noise and vibration, be sure the pump is not in direct contact with the
shipping bracket after the pump banding straps are cut.
Secure the pump support bracket to the subfloor with screws or lag bolts (not provided).
7. Install the Plumbing
CAUTION: Risk of property damage. Ensure a watertight seal on the whirlpool drain.
Connect the drain to the trap according to the drain manufacturer’s instructions.
NOTICE: An access panel will simplify future maintenance.
Install the faucet valving according to the faucet manufacturer’s instructions. Do not install the
faucet trim until instructed. Open the hot and cold water supplies, and check the supply
connections for leakage.
Run water into the whirlpool, and check the drain connections for leakage.
Drainage Suction Line
Pump
Cut the pump
banding straps.
NOTE:
Pump model illustrated may differ from your
actual product.
1010564-2-H 10 Kohler Co.