hole in bath - can it be temporarily fixed?

ali-t

The lodger from hell managed to destroy my bathroom this morning when she claimed the glass from the shower screen 'just fell off' when she was in the shower.

It fell into the bath causing a hole to be made in the bath which is about 3cm by 1cm near the plug and a dent in the tiles/beading at the top of the bath. The bath is the one that was in the house when it was built (new build) so is a cheap and cheerful plastic effort (I think).

What I would like to know is can the bath be temporarily repaired? It is likely to be a month before I can get a new once once quotes are in and sent to the insurance company to be approved and given that this will take me up to the week before Xmas I am dreading the possibility that it may be early into the new year before I can have a shower or a bath.

I am aware that the bath will be destabilised due to the hole but wondered if it is possible to seal the hole (e.g. with tape or something) so I can still use the shower, even if it is just to wash my hair over the bath.

Any thoughts?

Browntoa

glass fibre matting on the underside

ali-t

It is on the far side of the bath so I wouldn't be able to get at it. is this something that a handyman would do?

Tom_Jones

Your insurance company will arrange a repair, if it's going to take a month to replace, and you can lay the fibre glass matting on the top surface of the bath.

ali-t

The insurance company has said it can take them up to 2 weeks to approve it or otherwise once they receive the quotes I have sought.

I am thinking that by the time I get 3 plumbers out, get quotes from them and send them by post to the address it will be around a week and with them then taking 2 weeks that will be the middle of December before I can give anyone the go ahead to get it done. Then I have to get the work done hence me thinking it will take a month - If I can get a tradesman to do the work before Xmas.

That is reassuring that the fibreglass can go on top. Will I be able to use the shower as normal if that is the case?

Errata

If you can reach underneath the bath to where the hole is stick a pot washer on it. You will need four arms and hands for this as well as the pot washer.

ormus

two large washers and a nut/bolt, with lots of sealer. a good temp repair.

ps
dont stand on the bolt head!

vaio

gaffer tape would be my first port of call.....

but I'd have thought the insurance company would sort out a temp repair sharpish as expecting people to survive without a bath/shower for extended period of time is unreasonable

wallbash

The insurance company has said it can take them up to 2 weeks to approve it

Would they not take photo's ( and the bath ) as evidence ??

it can take

So it could take 48 hours?? get on the phone .

Inactive

Change your insurer, they are being unreasonable.

Norman_Castle

As above gaffa tape. Cheap and easy to apply. Check it is still watertight everytime you use the shower and if possible remove the bath panel ( it will need removing to fit the new bath so why not remove it now) to check underneath for leaks.