Fitting a bath yourself may sound like a job best left to a professional plumber, but with the right steps and tools this can be done to a high standard.
What do I need?
Measuring tape
Pencil
Bathroom sealant/silicone
PTFE tape
Spirit level
Supply pipes / Spurs
Sealing gasket
Top hat washer
Flexible pipes
Adjustable spanner
Installing a bath
Pipework
If your new bath is to be sited in a different direction to the previous one then bear in mind that this with mean changing the pipework, which needs to be carried out before the bath is put in position.
Preparation is important to the installation process so start on any pipework first. Using a pencil make a note of where the bath, waste and pipes will be placed on the wall as a reference.
If you need to fit a new run of supply pipes and spurs do this now. This pipework will later connect to the taps or bath/shower mixer tap.
Bath feet & slippers
Now, fit the feet/slippers to the bath. Have the bath turned upside down for easier work. Where the feet need to be fitted should be marked on the bath and fixed on with the accompanying bolts. For steel baths the feet are typically attached in a similar manner but for some acrylic types a cradle/frame will be provided with the legs attached, this will need to be bolted on or attached by using a strong adhesive pad.
Tip: If the floor is uneven be sure to adjust the legs accordingly using the locking nuts so that the bath stands level. Use a Spirit level to check this.
Bath Taps / Mixer Taps & Water feed
Fit bath taps/mixer taps to the bath before it is in its final position. Place a rubber or plastic sealing gasket over the tail of the tap and place the tap into the pre drilled holes. The gasket will not only cushion the tap against the bath but will create a waterproof seal between the bath and tap. Now put the top hat washer over the end of the tap’s tail and fix the tap into place with the back nut.
Attach the flexible pipe to the tap and connect to the supply pipes.
Drain & Overflow Connections
Place sealant or plumber’s putty onto the drain cover and place it into the drain hole. Make sure that the seal is watertight! Now fix the waste pipe to the drain cover using the attachments provided (you will need a waste pipe to connect the drain and overflow). Use silicone or PTFE tape around the thread of the waste trap connector and overflow pipe connector. Now screw on the waste trap and overflow pipe.
Take the overflow pipe and put it through the overflow hole at the top end of the bath. Using the fixings and washers provided, attach the pipe to the finishing plate. If there are no washers use bathroom sealant or plumber’s putty instead where the two connect. Tighten with an adjustable spanner.
Tip: It’s worth placing a soft thin cloth between the spanner and any fixings to be attached as they are tightened to protect them.
Tip: Check for leaks before the bath is put into position. Do this by filling to just above the overflow level.
Positioning the bath
Having ensure that all plumbing is watertight and that the bath is level you can now move it into place. The final step is to apply a bead of silicone around the edge of the bath (if is it not freestanding) where it meets the wall. For instructions by BestBathrooms.com on how to apply sealant, click here.
