Fitting bath into existing wet room

bruciebounus

The bathroom in my house was converted into a wet room by the previous owners (I believe one of them had mobility problems). I'd like to leave the existing shower in place, but put in a bath underneath.

I also have an old fashioned toilet with a high level wall mounted cistern. I have bought the toilet, bath wastes etc, but wanted to know if this was a job that could be done by my other half rather than a plumber (times are a bit tight at the moment). He's pretty handy and wants to try it out.

Any advice, is this do able for a DIYer? Particularly the bath fitting part?

Chunks

I am not a plumber but have tackled two kitchen refits (including plumbing) two bathrooms, a cloakroom and misc. central heating tasks etc.

The greatest challenge (in my experience) is having a basic insight/understanding, tools for the job (eg. a junior hacksaw (for copper pipe) works but a pipe splitter is a lot better (that sort of thing)) plus enough time.

The internet (not an option when I started DIYing hence a lot of trial and error) makes life so much easier; so get googling. You have a wet room already (appears to be on trend so no need to go further.....?) so the downside (eg. leaks) is limited.

If other half is so inclined, go for it. I have saved a bundle over the years and (mostly) enjoyed the experience. Get him up to speed on the 'net, plan the works and the kit needed and bob's your proverbial. If you get stuck, there are proper experts on here (for example) to get you back on track.

Good luck.

cosworth_monkey

It will be false economy if he has no plumbing experience. He will need to plumb in the bath taps which will be no easy job as the pipe work will all be behind the tiled walls. Fitting the bath will involve removing tiles and re tiling as you tile on to bath edge, then seal it.

markdavey

cosworth_monkey wrote: »

Fitting the bath will involve removing tiles and re tiling as you tile on to bath edge, then seal it.

Unless OP has bought a free-standing bath which they don't say.

tigeress289

I have to agree with Cosworth, the shower suggests all the pipework is behind the tiles and you will need to cut into the supplies somewhere. The trap is another issue, as you will need to source the waste outlet. If he is OK with that ,then fitting a bath should be no problem as all your connections are there.

bruciebounus

Thanks guys for responses! The bath isn't freestanding, its a p-shaped shower bath.

The OH isn't that confident about the bath, so we're going to do some more research and see if we can risk giving it a go. The last thing I want is to be left without a shower or bath until we can get hold of a plumber!

Any more tips would be appreciated, not sure if anyone on here has done it before.

cosworth_monkey

You can't risk giving it a go, you either do it and complete it or don't do it. To start whatever you want to try you'll have to take tiles off...which makes the wet room not a wet room and stops you using the shower.

I'm all for giving something a go but honestly, with no experience you'll have a bad time and, without insulting your OH, a bad finish and you'll probably need to get a professional in.

Danni-R

I'm looking at doing the same thing and my housemats oh is a bathroom fitter. I didnt even think about it but have you noticed that your floor probably isnt straight? My wetroom has a slope down to the plug hole to enable to the water to drain.

I think maybe call in the professional. Let your OH have his turn at the sink, the toilet and the tiling?

cosworth_monkey

Danni-R wrote: »

I'm looking at doing the same thing and my housemats oh is a bathroom fitter. I didnt even think about it but have you noticed that your floor probably isnt straight? My wetroom has a slope down to the plug hole to enable to the water to drain.

I think maybe call in the professional. Let your OH have his turn at the sink, the toilet and the tiling?

The slope in the floor won't matter as the bath will have adjustable feet.

bruciebounus

I've decided it's not worth the risk. Had a good quote from a plumber, going to let the experts do the job!