DIY - hose for portable bathtub

victor2

grumbler said:

Courteous said:

I’m not sure how best to fit it to my kitchen tap

Do you have mains pressure hot water in the kitchen (combi/system boiler)?

If not you may have problems with a long hose and a mixer tap.

Also, attaching a hose to a mixer tap could stress the tap head/body connection beyond what it is designed for, and damage it.

GDB2222

Apart from filling it, how do you empty it?  You connect a hose at the bottom, but where will that drain to? The water won't drain uphill.

You can scoop the water out with a bucket, but that bath must contain many bucketfuls. You may need a pump. 

Courteous

GDB2222 said:

Apart from filling it, how do you empty it?  You connect a hose at the bottom, but where will that drain to? The water won't drain uphill.

You can scoop the water out with a bucket, but that bath must contain many bucketfuls. You may need a pump. 

Hi,
so, I think it’s designed so the whole tub can sit in the shower basin, or on a platform or anywhere where the water will drain below the level of the plug hole. I think. I’m not sure re the uphill part, googling and came up with below diagram. Not sure in this diagram if the entire tub would have to be higher than the drain point, or just the hose end that’s dipped into the water (does that make sense)? But it looks like water can flow uphill into the first leg of the pipe, do you mean I’d need a pump for that part because there’s too much water for just a suck on the end of the hose and gravity to work? 

Courteous

Bendy_House said:

That's good to hear, Court :-)

I'm guessing - from the pics - that your bath is this one? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Folding-Bathtub-Portable-Household-Independent/dp/B0928ZQJ37/ref=sr_1_2?c=ts&keywords=Soaking+Baths&qid=1667152345&qu=eyJxc2MiOiI2LjEwIiwicXNhIjoiNS41MSIsInFzcCI6IjMuMTcifQ==&refinements=p_4:Folding+Bathtub&s=diy&sr=1-2&ts_id=1938735031&th=1

If so, then these spigot connectors on the side of the bath are ONLY for draining it after use. IF the supplied hose is a tight, reliable, and watertight connection on that spigot, then in theory it can be left permanently connected, and all you'd have to do is ensure the hose end is kept nicely above water level - nothing will come out. Then, when you wish to drain the bath, just place your thumb over the hose end, lower it on to your shower tray, and release - the bath should drain to the highest point of that hose, so that depends on how low the shower tray lip is. Then use buckets for the rest!

To fill, use the existing shower hose if you can - remove the shower head to improve flow if needed, then drape it over the bath top. You can get longer shower hoses if needed - just swap with the one already there - it won't matter if it's longer than needed within the shower cubicle.

Sounds like using the shower head to fill will be a goer and simplest way to fill, it is a bit short currently (the tub won’t fit in the shower doors/tray) but a longer shower hose is a good idea, hadn’t thought of that.

Bendy_House

Courteous said:

GDB2222 said:

Apart from filling it, how do you empty it?  You connect a hose at the bottom, but where will that drain to? The water won't drain uphill.

You can scoop the water out with a bucket, but that bath must contain many bucketfuls. You may need a pump. 

Hi,
so, I think it’s designed so the whole tub can sit in the shower basin, or on a platform or anywhere where the water will drain below the level of the plug hole. I think. I’m not sure re the uphill part, googling and came up with below diagram. Not sure in this diagram if the entire tub would have to be higher than the drain point, or just the hose end that’s dipped into the water (does that make sense)? But it looks like water can flow uphill into the first leg of the pipe, do you mean I’d need a pump for that part because there’s too much water for just a suck on the end of the hose and gravity to work? 

That's called a 'syphon'. Yes, the outlet end of that inverted-U hose will always have to be lower than the inlet (bath) end for the water to continue to flow. Since your bath is sitting on the floor, and the shower tray pretty much the same, a 'syphon' effect won't help much.

If you compare the water level of your filled bath with the highest edge of your shower tray, as long as the bath water level is higher, it will empty via the flexible hose that's connected to the bottom drain. Once the bath level drops to the shower lip height, it'll stop, so it's buckets from then on!

If you have regular baths, this will soon become a pain, so it might be worth getting something like a stirrup pump? Or even a suitable electric pump, but you'd have to ensure it's used safely near water.

Bendy_House

Do you have to fold away the bath after each use, or can it stay as a pretty permanent feature? If it can stay, then it might be worth getting something that'll act as a safe raised platform. 

Might be possible to buy something - tho' not sure what - or a Handyperson could knock one up quite easily. 

It would only need to be high enough so the bottom of the bath is above shower tray lip height, and you'll then have no issues drawing and draining the bath. 

Bendy_House

https://amzn.eu/d/6CyKwu6

Jobbie jobbed?

FreeBear

Bendy_House said:

https://amzn.eu/d/6CyKwu6

Jobbie jobbed?

Until the hose comes adrift or bursts. Then instant shower/fountain.

Bendy_House

https://amzn.eu/d/1QrxqkX

Of the correct dia.

One drawback of these pumps - apart from size - is that they only drain to 5cm, so some scooping still required.

An in-line pump of the same convenience and safety would be better, and this would be taken from the bath's own drain point. Are there any models which have an INLET hose connector too?

Bendy_House

I didn't ask the obvious, Court - are you a DIYer to any degree?! Do you have a cordless electric drill? (Ideally cordless, tho' corded is fine)

Jobbie-def-jobbed: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304577974794?

Whatever length of hose required to connect to the bath's outlet spigot to get safely inside the shower tray, securely jubilee-clipped in place to the bath so no leaks. This wee pump fitted wherever it's most convenient along the way, again securely clipped so no leaks.

For filling, put cap on the end of the pipe, or else just have it held upwards above the required bath water level. When bath is done, lower the hose end/remove cap, and allow it to drain under gravity as much as it can. Then attach cordless drill, and whirrrrr away.