Bathtubs, Foot Baths and Tub Fittings

Tub size, shape and the route into the room

Tubs are listed by overall length, width and height, with freestanding models often around 66 to 72 inches long. Measure the room, the doorway and the stairs, then check the clearance for taps and the wall. Shape matters: rectangular tubs fit alcoves, while freestanding oval and clawfoot styles need open floor and finished surroundings. Note where the drain sits, since it must line up with the waste pipe, and remember that water is heavy, at about 8.3 lb per US gallon, so the floor must carry a full tub.

Fittings and foot baths: spouts, drains and basins

Tub spouts come in slip-on and threaded types: a slip-on spout clamps onto a copper pipe with a set screw, while a threaded spout screws onto a pipe nipple, so check which your wall has. A diverter spout adds a lever to send water to the shower. Clawfoot tubs often need their own drain and supply kits. Shower curb kits form the waterproof edge of a shower floor. Foot baths are sized in liters: pick one deep enough to cover the ankles and wide enough for both feet.

Questions about Bathtubs, Foot Baths and Tub Fittings

Alcove, freestanding or drop-in: how do they differ?

An alcove tub fits between three walls and has a finished front apron. A freestanding tub stands alone and needs floor-mounted or wall plumbing and space around it. A drop-in sits inside a built-in surround, with a finished deck. Pick by the space you have and the plumbing you can reach.

How much water does a bathtub hold?

Capacity varies with size and depth, roughly 40 to 80 US gallons for adult tubs filled to the overflow. Check the listed capacity if you have a small water heater, and remember that your own weight displaces water, so you rarely fill to the brim.

Does a clawfoot tub need special plumbing?

Usually yes. Freestanding clawfoot tubs often take exposed supply pipes or wall-mounted fittings and a dedicated drain kit, and the drain needs a trap beneath the floor. Check the drain size, the tub's overflow and the floor's strength before you plan the installation.