Old cast iron bath, will a modern tap/shower fit?

Mark300zx

I am refurbishing my flat and looking to repaint an old cast iron bathtub and fit a combined tap and shower head for hair washing. Does anyone know if the joined cold/hot taps and shower attach to what must be imperial hole spacing on the bathtub?

nofoollikeold

1. Painting is pointless, the finish won't last more than a week or two. The original finish is stove enamel, which is effectively glass, very hard and long lasting. There are firms who will re-enamel in situ. The results are generally good, but neither as good as, nor as long-lasting as, the original. I've used "RenuBath" with good results on a couple of occasions.

2. Old cast iron baths often had square holes for the taps to fix into. Replacement taps must have bases of a sufficiently large diameter to cover the entire hole. You'll need something to centralise the tap in the hole. I don't think the "Spli Klick" type washer will work but you might be able to modify it.

3. You should be able to get a bridge type tap set with a shower diverter. Once you have removed the old taps measure the centre distance required (the distance between the centre of the two tap holes in the bath) and get an appropriate tap set.

4. Depending on your boiler type / hot and cold water set up you may not get much of a shower. Best to check before you start.

Owain_Moneysaver

You can get taps with cranked legs which are adjustable for different pipe spacing eg
https://www.taps4less.com/PP/HI-ETON05.html