bath frame without using wooden battens

[davidm1969]

My point is that there is plenty of wood under their anyway, a wooden frame really doesn't matter.

Thanks yes was wondering whether to tiles under the bath as well (or cover with some lino tiles I have spare from another job) to help protect the wooden floor too, as will be taking the bath up anyway. Worth doing?

 

[denso13]

Worth doing?

Not in my opinion no. It's like fitting a metal sink unit and tiling below the units in case your kitchen sink leaks. It's the leak that is the issue, every time.

 

[johnny2007]

Nice silicone finish!

 

[davidm1969]

Nice silicone finish!

As my tenants have commented,bath moves when they get in which is causing or contributing to leaks and mouldy wood below. After bath removed new frame and put back it will all need re sealing

 

[flameport]

thanks if the bath itself is in good condition I was hoping not to need a new bath

That bath must be taken out to fix the problem, and you certainly do NOT want that style in any rental or even any other property, as with the taps against the wall like that, the whole lot will have to come out every time the taps require replacement.

Dispose of that bath, get a new one with taps at the end and have it installed properly.

 

[davidm1969]

That bath must be taken out to fix the problem, and you certainly do NOT want that style in any rental or even any other property, as with the taps against the wall like that, the whole lot will have to come out every time the taps require replacement.

Dispose of that bath, get a new one with taps at the end and have it installed properly.

Thanks certainly considering replacing the taps while taking bath out. But as a new bath will be 350, and moving pipework will add more, plus cost to dispose of old bath, I'm not sure why you are suggesting replacing a bath which is in good condition unnecessarily. How often do you replace taps? Agree when bath does need replacing, a bath with taps at the end will be more practical in case of any issues with taps. It's a general point I agree with tho, taps against walls, showers where pipes are beneath tiles etc. Looks vs ease of repair.

 

[flameport]

But as a new bath will be 350,

Wickes Standard Acrylic Straight Bath - 1700 x 700mm | Wickes.co.uk

Wickes Standard Acrylic Straight Bath - 1700 x 700mm

www.wickes.co.uk

 

[davidm1969]

Wickes Standard Acrylic Straight Bath - 1700 x 700mm | Wickes.co.uk

Wickes Standard Acrylic Straight Bath - 1700 x 700mm

www.wickes.co.uk

That's the cheapest possible bath from wickes, and doesn't include the bath panels. Doesn't compare with the double ended bath in place. Supposing we ignore that and the panels are cheap, so bath plus panels is say 200. Then another say 90 to move the pipework and at least 50 to dispose of old bath (this is in London so plumbers charge 90/h at least and good ones more). So 350 quid unnecessarily.

 

[flameport]

That's the cheapest possible bath from wickes,

Yes, it is.

Cheapo landlord special. Which this must be, because no decent landlord would be asking how to fix things for cheap on a DIY forum.

 

[davidm1969]

Yes, it is.

Cheapo landlord special. Which this must be, because no decent landlord would be asking how to fix things for cheap on a DIY forum.

You have no idea what sort of landlord I am - stop assuming. I'm not asking how to fix things for cheap at all and haven't asked about that. I asked here because I thought the experts might have good experience and opinions which I don't have myself.

The plastic fixings I found and asked about or plastic wood suggested by others will be more expensive than wood battens and I will be paying a proper installer to do the installation. I just asked about whether to use something else not wood to stop mould again. I've also asked others about whether to tile underneath. (Advice here not to bother). It is helpful to know some views from experts. Asking on a DIY forum doesn't mean I am myself going to DIY or am seeking to do anything cheaply.

All I'm doing re the bath is being ecologically conscientious by not throwing into landfill a bath that is in good condition. I can for example spend the money saved on replacing or upgrading the extractor fan or a dehumidifier. Or save it and therefore not have to increase rent. I've managed to keep rent increases for them to 1% this year, well below inflation, for which they were very grateful.

Being cost conscious whilst doing a good job and fixing the issue raised by tenants is better for them as well. Even if it was my own place I don't rip out and throw away stuff which can be fixed cost-effectively. Do you always rip.out everything and replace with new? Would you replace a car the first time it breaks down or replace a roof as soon as there are any issues?

Have a lovely evening

 

[Madrab]

My original question was about using alternatives to wood

Completely Understand- the thing is though, wooden batons are more than acceptable for this application and are usually very effective. The main problem it seems is the bath simply hasn't been installed properly and it's leaking past the compromised wall seal, that's what needs to be fixed. There is no other way that the wood beneath is getting damp and mouldy unless there is another leak under there, say from the taps/feeds or the waste.
The long and short of it is that id nothing else is leaking then it won't really matter what material the supports are made of, if they get wet again then the bath can't be sealed properly. If that happens it won't really matter what the supports are made of as the wall and floor (and poss ceiling below) will eventually be water damaged regardless, if you see what I mean.

The key is the bath needs to be installed properly with the batons fixed to the wall properly and then the bath fitted to the batons properly. Then the bath sealed onto the batons and the wall properly. If that is done properly then there shouldn't be any more problems with the wall seal and the wood beneath should never get wet or mouldy again.

 

[davidm1969]

Completely Understand- the thing is though, wooden batons are more than acceptable for this application and are usually very effective. The main problem it seems is the bath simply hasn't been installed properly and it's leaking past the compromised wall seal, that's what needs to be fixed. There is no other way that the wood beneath is getting damp and mouldy unless there is another leak under there, say from the taps/feeds or the waste.
The long and short of it is that id nothing else is leaking then it won't really matter what material the supports are made of, if they get wet again then the bath can't be sealed properly. If that happens it won't really matter what the supports are made of as the wall and floor (and poss ceiling below) will eventually be water damaged regardless, if you see what I mean.

The key is the bath needs to be installed properly with the batons fixed to the wall properly and then the bath fitted to the batons properly. Then the bath sealed onto the batons and the wall properly. If that is done properly then there shouldn't be any more problems with the wall seal and the wood beneath should never get wet or mouldy again.

Thanks for the advice matches what others have said. Seems like everyone thinks wood batons are good enough..

 

[dilalio]

it's a bathroom, it's bound to be moist

None of the bathrooms I fit are moist!
Nothing should move, pipework and seals should be watertight, good extraction and ventilation.

Dry as a bone under all my baths.

And tenants are usually a big part of the problem... They abuse things, leave issues until they're a major problem and then it moves on to landlords who are slow to act and usually send in the wrong "fixers".

In my experience as a tradesman.

 

[blup]

Your problem is damp/leaking, not wooden framing. If you bodge it now it will cost more when the tenant moves in and complains. Especially as tenants have greater rights now.

 

[davidm1969]

Your problem is damp/leaking, not wooden framing. If you bodge it now it will cost more when the tenant moves in and complains. Especially as tenants have greater rights now.

No intention to bodge it, definitely won't attempt DIY it myself, will get a proper installer to do the job, was just asking for expert opinions here on remedies.

The smell is mould from the wooden frame (and maybe below), the bath apparently moves slightly when they get in, which then leads to leaks through the seals. Tenants have tried re doing the seals (one is actually a plumber). They cant reach all the bits of the frame with mould.
So while leaks are causing the mould, it seems reasonable to think the frame has weakened or moved somehow over time and needs replacing with something better.

Thanks