Our Guide to Installing a Bath

Installing a bath does not have to be difficult. With a little pre-planning, a little expert advice and all the right tools, you’re well on your way to a stylish new bathroom with a serene atmosphere. Splash Direct is on hand to help you soak your bath installation troubles away with our quick and easy bath installation guide.

Pre-Planning for your Bath Installation

Pre-planning your bath installation means that you’ll save time, hassle and often money in the long run. So, make sure that you have followed just a few simple steps before you start. First of all, you need to make sure you have measured your bathroom area and picked out a bath that fits. The two critical measurements are the length and width of the bath, so take these measurements carefully to ensure the right size is purchased. Browse through our range and filter by size to ensure you’ve cherry picked the bath that suits you. Don’t despair if the sizes do not match exactly because a 10-20mm tolerance can be allowed for by chasing the bath into your wall.

Pipes, fittings, screws and tools need to be on hand for easy installation. When you have the right tools, you will be able to get the job done quickly and easily.

Turn off your water supply before you start installation and begin your ‘first fix’ plumbing – i.e. altering hot and cold supply pipes, maybe moving your waste position, etc. Once these are complete and isolated, turn your water back on and check for any leaks. If you’re happy to proceed, you can now begin to fit your feet to your bath. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on these and be sure not to over tighten, especially if installing a steel bath. Once complete, get someone to help you locate the bath into position and level it off using the feet adjustments. We’d recommend, if installing an acrylic bath, that you screw a length of wooden batten to the wall at the desired height to rest under the lip of the bath, which will offer a little extra support.

Now you can connect the waste, taps and bottle trap which will complete your bath installation. Run a bead of silicone along the wall edge of the bath to secure the bath and make it watertight prior to tiling.

Testing & Completing your Bath Installation

The final steps include your bath surround. This includes tiles and a bath panel which we explain further in our guide on bath panels. Make sure these are firmly in place for a smooth finish. Your surround will complement your bathroom, and give it a sense of style and accomplishment. Another bead of silicon after tiling will ensure your bath is watertight and leak free for a long time to come.