Freestanding Bath grumble!

[Lacan07]

I purchased a traditional freestanding bath last September to be the centre piece of my bathroom, it'll be the most expensive item in the room.

I needn't had got it so early as I just got round to roughing out the fixtures in the room and I noticed this discrepancy in the alignment of the overflow and drain.

Where the hell am I supposed to drill the holes for the taps! I'd say the drain was in the centre of the bath, its the overflow thats off.

 

[noj]

Freestanding taps on pillars would take the eye away from the waste position?

 

[a twig]

Taps offset to the left so it’s all lined up in an italic fashion?

Can you send the bath back?

 

[Lacan07]

Freestanding taps on pillars would take the eye away from the waste position?

Yes, thats a good idea. I was under the impression freestanding pillars were a bit wobbly when I ordered the bath.

I got the chrome shrouds to go under the lip of the bath as part of the kit.

 

[Lacan07]

Taps offset to the left so it’s all lined up in an italic fashion?

Can you send the bath back?

The customer service is closed until Monday. I purchased the bath last September 2021. When it was delivered I checked it for the usual knocks, etc in transport and it was fine. Didn't think to check the alignment of the drain and overflow!

We'll see what they say, it wasn't cheap. Noj idea seems like a good one, I wonder if they'll give me a freestanding tap kit for free

 

[Lacan07]

I guess its not a major problem but I'd be inclined to centre from the overflow which isn't actually centred, because otherwise it would bug the hell out of me when I'm in the bath having to look at it being wonky

 

[Cassie]

I’m obviously sadly lacking when it comes to attention to detail. If the day ever comes when I get to soak in the bath, I definitely wouldn’t notice!

 

[Lacan07]

I’m obviously sadly lacking when it comes to attention to detail. If the day ever comes when I get to soak in the bath, I definitely wouldn’t notice!

Well yes, that's a good point. Maybe I wouldn't be so bothered about it a few weeks after the initial cursing and swearing of setting it up. One of my issues is I'm a bit of a fuss pot. I guess the point of this point of this post was gauge how bothered others would be by it.

 

[Cassie]

Zero bother from my corner

 

[Feltwell]

Annoying, but all is not lost.....

Firstly, there's usually a bit of slack when fitting a waste or overflow, so you may be able to get them to align. A bit of LSX ensures they seal well to the bath.

Secondly, yes pillar taps is one idea, another one is an overflow filler - you can get a combined overflow and filler unit, and then use wall-mounted valves for control. Like this:-

https://www.drench.co.uk/p/vellamo-overflow-bath-filler-with-clicker-waste

 

[a twig]

Could you mount the taps on the middle of the side of the bath rather than the end, and avoid the problem altogether?

 

[Lacan07]

Annoying, but all is not lost.....

Firstly, there's usually a bit of slack when fitting a waste or overflow, so you may be able to get them to align. A bit of LSX ensures they seal well to the bath.

Secondly, yes pillar taps is one idea, another one is an overflow filler - you can get a combined overflow and filler unit, and then use wall-mounted valves for control. Like this:-

https://www.drench.co.uk/p/vellamo-overflow-bath-filler-with-clicker-waste

Yes, I was wondering about this too, my first job tomorrow is to fit the overflow and waste fixtures so I'll see if this is the case.

That overflow filler is a nice idea actually, especially as I'll be setting up a shower valve behind boxed out panel board, maybe I could get one with dual output. I do look like those old telephone taps though, and the extra shower head on them is quite handy for light duties.

 

[Lacan07]

Could you mount the taps on the middle of the side of the bath rather than the end, and avoid the problem altogether?

Thats an idea Twig, I'll post some pics of the bath in situ tomorrow. It would have to on the wall side as I'd need to get in the bath the other side.

 

[Gothichome]

Lanan, almost all of the overflow drain set ups have some latitude as to placement on the hole. If you just bias the overflow fitting to the right your problem might just go away. Just don’t point it out, know one will know.
Ron

 

[CliffordPope]

Could you mount the taps on the middle of the side of the bath rather than the end, and avoid the problem altogether?

Not if you like lying back relaxing in the bath. With taps at the side you have to sit up and carefully avoid the jet when you top up the hot water. I like taps at the end I can turn on with my toes without getting up.

 

[a twig]

Ah, but if you are ever sharing the bath, taps at the side means you don’t have to do the decent thing and chivalrously take the tap end - nowhere to rest your head and dripping down your back

 

[88v8]

Freestanders are fine, provided they aren't used as a lever to heave oneself out of the bath.

The bathroom I had built in our previous house... which I would have picked up and moved if it were possible...

Avert your eyes from the plastic waste....



Ivor

 

[Lacan07]

I was at the house today and heres how far I managed to shift the overflow to the right. This is with the rubber seal right on the edge of the hole. Its not far off but not perfect by any stretch.



But quite frankly I'm not greatly impressed with the fixtures, or perhaps its just my inexperience! If ever there were an emergency more water would escape the seal than pour down the overflow I reckon. Here's a photo of the other side of the overflow, you can't see it but theres absolutely no pressure between part of the black seal / washer and the wall of the bath. When I unpacked the overflow the washers fell out and I had to sit and think a bit about which rubber washer went where and what way round. No instructions of course. I think I got it right though. I guess I'll have to use a sealant of some sort? I'll call the sellers next week anyway to make a complaint about the holes.

 

[Lacan07]

Heres the layout of the bathroom. Any opinions on the sizing of the wall panels?

The small one is approx 80cm and the next size up would be 120cm, as depicted. Ideally I'd like something a bit taller that 80cm as I need to get the concealed shower valve on it and I don't want it sitting too low but I got those small panels for a tenner on FB marketplace and I don't want to spunk another £140 on the taller versions. Also I'm a bit concerned about going too tall as it will almost be half way up the wall (ceiling is 270cm) and I'm also worried about it dominating the space as the windows as you can see are very low.

 

[Feltwell]

I'd always put some sealant on anyway. Fernox LS-X, good stuff for the vast majority of plumbing sealant jobs. Toolstation sell it, as will any plumbers merchants, Screwfix probably do as well. Just a smear on the gasket faces and it'll do the job.

That alignment would be good enough for me, and I'm generally really bad for being a perfectionist! You'll never see it once it's in-situ.