Bath Taps And Shower Head Within Bath - How To Replace Hose?

[EViS]

A customer has a Carronite Torino bath (that I have narrowed it down to having searched about). The taps and shower hose are on the rear side of the bath, with the front panel and the side shelves (not visible on the picture) tiled. The shower hose has split and so leaks water downstairs.

Is there an easy way to replace the hose, or do the tiles around the bath need to come off to create access to the underside of the bath?

The shower fitting does unscrew, but I don't fancy unscrewing it too much in the event the bolt underneath drops out.

 

[PlumbBobBob]

i would say that the bath would probably have to come out to access the fittings for the shower hose

 

[secret squirrel]

Can you come at it from the wall on the other side of the taps?

I hate these baths with a passion.

 

[PlumbBobBob]

Can you come at it from the wall on the other side of the taps?

I hate these baths with a passion.

that's an idea

 

[EViS]

Unfortunately no access from the rear, it's a 300mm thick solid wall.

The areas to the right and left of the bath are tiled (some 200mm to the wall) (i.e. a place to keep toiletries). Would you have thought that removing these would allow for sufficient space to get to the hose fixing? Or would the entire bath need moving out as you guys suggest?

 

[PlumbBobBob]

i'm sure that the whole bath will have to come out

 

[mountainman]

If you have spare tiles you could chop an access into the wall behind the tap and to below the edge of the bath.ake the access big enough to get at the hose connection.
I've done this myself before, it's a pain but easier IMO.
Ps, if you don't have matching tiles then make a feature up from contrasting tiles.

 

[secret squirrel]

Have I said it yet

''I hate these baths''

Bath will probably have to come out, trying not to damage it and then put it back without too much damage.

If I am forced to fit these baths I always explain the issue and then if I have to go back

''I told you!''

 

[Phil]

I'd almost go as far as to say they deserve all they get, they wanted the taps on the back wall and a tiled bath panel with no access.

Now they will suffer the consequences financially. :banghead:

 

[stevetheplumber]

we had one like this on an outside wall we cut a 400x 400 access hole in the wall filled the gap with loads off rock wall and500x500 siliconed a plate with the cottage name on it over the hole for future access

 

[mjt]

Have I said it yet

''I hate these baths''

Bath will probably have to come out, trying not to damage it and then put it back without too much damage.

If I am forced to fit these baths I always explain the issue and then if I have to go back

''I told you!''

Every time I explain this I get either
" I hadn't thought of that" or " if it is put in right then it shouldnt go wrong!

 

[EViS]

Out of interest, how is the hose likely to be connected here? Will it be near the top of the bath and directly into the tap? Or could it be low down somewhere?

Also, how would you guys charge for such a job full of unknowns?

 

[Phil]

The hose is connected to the bottom of the tap, if you had access from the side then you may be able to force your self in with grips but no chance from front unless you're Mr Tickle.

 

[E4gas]

I've fitted one off these baths , made customer put taps on bath panel side for future maintenance..

I make a excess hole from other side if it was me ,, good luck

 

[on31ll]

If the ceiling downstairs is damged cant you cut that out if its due to be replace ? Get at it from underneath ? With extra extra long arms ? Just out of intrest ?

 

[martinharry]

It is a very difficult task you better take the help of some leak detection services.They uses some new technologies in repairing and replacing.They will also check all your pipes if there is any leakage,because the main cause of all damage is leakage in pipes.




---------------------------
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[EViS]

Thanks for all of the replies fellas. I shall try get to it from the side first, otherwise it's going to be a nightmare of a job! H

ow would you guys charge for such a job?
​

 

[secret squirrel]

Minimum of a day possibly longer depending on how it was put in and damage you will have to do, aggravation from the second you start, make it clear that you may damage the bath etc.

If a good fitter put it in. it will not come out quietly.

The problem WILL happen again as well. I'd consider a different bath.

 

[ADM360]

How much to charge??
it would have to be day works for me!! and so long as you have explained all the possible problems and the reasons why you need to do what you need to they shouldn't have a problem.
If they have a real problem tell them it'll be 2 day labour plus any materials needed and you wont be responsible for and damage to their bath or tiles and as such they would be responsible for any and all making good!!!
See which option they like best and walk away!!

 

[Phil]

Agreed, when doing a bathroom and they want taps on the back wall I always talk them into wall mounted taps that fit on a bar mixer fixing kit.

What could be easier to swap/repalr those? and you don't have to drill the bath and risk damaging it.

 

[Phil]

You first have the tiled bath panel to contend with, the fitter may have made it easy for you but you can bet he hasn't!

I would tell them you will try your best but cannot guarantee breaking it up, then you have the L brackets on the bath to try and unscrew from the bottom and the lashings of silicone to cut through.

Then the tiles to break off to allow the bath to be up ended/slid out.

Do they have any spare tiles?

 

[secret squirrel]

Just re looked at picture, seriously. 3 days, any job with this amount of aggravation has got to be worth it, in all honesty, if I didn't get it I wouldn't be disappointed.

 

[Phil]

It depends how good a tiler the OP is, and are those proper mosiacs or the lookalike ones?

 

[PlumbBobBob]

the tiles look to me like the larger lookalike type not normal mosaics, you can see the grout lines of the tiles

 

[willpid]

Had this exact same problem the other week, bath fully tiled in with 3 L brackets holding in place.

No choice but to smash the tiles and take the hole lot out.

Two and a half day job in the end once everything had been grouted and sealed.