Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with tub

DIY hot tub

boby — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 13:20:48 -0800

Can a hot tub/ soaking tub be made from one of these? I was interested in a portable Softub for my yard but thought a DIY plan might be a lot less expensive. Using the Rubbermaid tank with the Softub filter/heater would seem to work.

Tub Refinishing Cannot Be Worse Than Replacement. Can It?

Medieval Maven — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:15:50 -0800

So I've read the previous questions on bath tub refinishing, the most recent of which, according to what I found, was two years ago. We have a fiberglass tub/enclosure that was put in when the house was framed 24 years ago. It's showing its age. I do NOT want to refinish this thing myself, and removing the fiberglass tub/enclosure in the master bathroom, and replacing it, while worthwhile, was a nightmare. I just want to have this tub refinished to a bright white that will be a durable solution. My mother has suggested we look at Re-Bath, but I'm skeptical. So, questions here are two fold:

1) have you had your fiberglass tub refinished professionally, and were you happy with the results? What did it run you?

2) have you used this "Rebath" service? How were the results? Worth it?

BONUS: If you are in the Atlanta area, can you recommend someone to do this work? TYIA.

When is it time to call the experts with a tub drain clog?

jessamyn — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 16:52:31 -0800

Drain snakers, how much longer should I mess with this bathtub drain before I call a plumber? I have an old slow-draining bathtub. When I take a shower lately, I wind up standing in water. This has gotten worse over time, and I also recently got a new showerhead which may have highlighted the problem by using more water. Nothing else in my house drains slowly.

What I have tried

- removing the trip lever -- I seem to have this version but with no stopper -- and pulling out a big chunk of gross hair. I've been snaking through that hole, not through the drain.
- Drano-type drain cleaner, no effect that I noticed
- boiling water, ditto

I borrowed a manual drain snake, basically like this one, and have been sort of flailing around with it. I've pulled up a little hair but mostly this vile smelling black ick that makes me feel like I'm probing the depths of the X-Files. The snake goes about three feet down and then seems to stop and rattle, which makes me wonder a little (like where is the missing arm to my stopper assembly for example, or could I have a drum trap?). I've read this thread and especially this comment in preparation.

I live someplace where it's snowy winter so it's possible my roof vent is blocked, but I wouldn't be able to tell that on my own. I'm sure my landlady will call a plumber if I ask her to, I'd just like to make sure I'm not able to fix this myself. So my specific question is: at the point at which I seem to go no further with the drain snake AND don't seem to be hitting a clog of any sort [turning the augur part doesn't bring up any more hair or other scuzz] is that the time to call the plumber, or is there something I haven't tried yet? Thanks for any advice or help.

Something is rotten in my state (not Denmark).

Unicorn on the cob — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:43:43 -0800

Last Wednesday I was assaulted by a foul smell in my front (guest) bathroom. I have been trying to pinpoint the cause for several days. I'm about to go out of town and need advice on what to do, especially since I'm extremely broke and have tried all the usual methods of attack. Details inside... Thursday I noticed there was a bit of a poo smell going on in the front bathroom. Often, it takes two flushes, and I assumed the toilet was clogged. I plunged, cleaned, plunged, etc. and then lit a candle. I never use those drop-in toilet cleaners.

Friday the smell was WORSE. It smelled like sewage. I did my due diligence; I read up as to what the various causes may be and bought every cleaner imaginable. I opened up the drains and did the vinegar/baking soda clean on all of them.

Saturday, the smell was better... I followed it along the ground until I realized it was emanating from the bathtub drain.

Once again, removed all fittings possible, dumped some special drain cleaner (a green product specifically for drains, no lye, no bleach) down the hole, several pots of boiling water, etc.

Went around and checked every other spot in the house; there is no smell except in the front bathroom. Ran water in every sink, tub, shower, etc. to ensure there were no dry traps.

The smell has now dwindled from a sewer-gas smell to simply a musty, sort of unpleasant dust-like odor. Stale, but not poo-ish or sewer-gassy. (To contrast, when I came home on Friday, when I opened the front door I SMELLED SEWER. FROM SEVERAL FEET AWAY, WITH THE DOOR TO THE BATHROOM CLOSED.)

My house was built in 2003. The drain is at floor level and the tub/shower are completely surrounded by stone and concrete. I have crawled, literally, with my nose shoved along the edge of the toilet, sink, wall, everywhere in that bathroom and it is coming up out of the drain. As of right now it smells musty and vinegar-y just a bit from all the treatments I've done. The smell is now confined to just the bathroom and is severely diminished.

I have no idea where the pipe is that goes to the roof. There is nothing under my house, it's on a concrete slab foundation. There are no signs of dampness or leaks anywhere in the walls, around the tub, around the toilet, around the sink, etc.

The shower liner is immaculate. I opened the closet door that shares the wall with the tub/shower. The inside of the closet is dry, smells pleasant, no dampness. I took a knife and pried up a bit of the carpet that runs along the wall that is shared with the drain... no dampness, nothing. Even shoved my fingers up under the wall right now where I'd pried the carpet; I feel/smell nothing. Flashlight showed everything is white and normal-looking just opposite the smell.

What I'm asking is... did an animal possibly get trapped somewhere and die? If so, can I just leave and come back assured that the smell will probably be gone? I'm in Texas and the temps are expected between 40-77F over the next week.

I really don't think it's mold. I am extremely sensitive to such things and take daily medication for allergies, and have yet to sneeze or itch at all, even with my nose shoved into the drain.

At this point were I not about to leave for 3-4 days and severely broke, I'd probably just call a plumber. My trip is non-refundable and was paid for in advance, so I can't change plans and use the money for a plumber. Also, I'm concerned that I'll call somebody and they will either tell me 1. I have something terrible going on and they have to tear the wall apart and the bill will be several thousand dollars, which I cannot pay or be here to supervise, or 2. it's nothing, a mouse died somewhere, I'll have to wait it out (plus pay $150 for a house call at a weird hour that resulted in nothing).

What say you, MeFi homeowners? What would you do?

Shower us with insight

Ike_Arumba — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 05:58:57 -0800

Help! We are at an unfamilar beach house for the week, and for our lives we can't get two of the showers here to work. They are both configured the same (see crappy cell phone pic 1 and pic 2). The main tub faucet works by pulling the main knob thingee out and up (and you turn that left and right to adjust temp). We get all that. But there's no lever or button to get water up to the shower (yes, there is a shower faucet up there).

We are at a loss... and feel like complete idiots. Any suggestions?

Scrooge McDuck on a Budget

NotMyselfRightNow — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 04:06:53 -0800

Scrooge McDuck on a budget: How many dollar bills would it take to fill up an average size bathtub?

Walk-in tub recommendations

Thrillhouse — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 16:19:38 -0800

What is the best option for walk-in tub for elderly neighbor? I have an elderly neighbor who has decided it is in her best interest to invest in a walk-in tub. I told her I'd look into it for her. So far she has seen the Ed McMahon commercials for Premier Walk-In and has called them but they're VERY expensive and in my opinion anyone that advertises by infomercial is always WAAAY overpriced and lacking in quality.

I can't seem to find any reviews online that don't like they were written by the manufacturer.

Does anybody have any experience with these things and/or recommendations?

Assume that I don't want to make gin

mumkin — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 09:53:36 -0800

Bathroom remodel question: does one really need a bathtub? I'm thinking of redoing our bathroom and am considering my options. While aesthetically I'm inclined to claw-footed double-ended enameled slipper tubs with outré Victorian hardware, they're pretty frivolously impractical. Indeed, having any bathtub at all seems pretty impractical, since both of us are shower people. The curved sides and narrow width of shower baths have always annoyed me, and I'd really just like to rip out our existing tub and replace it with a walk-in shower. We could probably squeeze a shower and a tub in, but it'd be tight, the size of the shower would suffer, and I'd rather just do without the tub.

Would this be a terrible design decision? Tubs seem like a relic of bygone bathing customs, but would I be shooting myself in the foot? Obviously there are bath-loving people who wouldn't want to buy my house if it lacked a tub, but are they a significant constituency? Is the ideal of a long, warm bubble-bath soak—even if it's something you never do—sufficient reason to build in an unused tub? Are there other reasons to have a tub? We don't have kids, but it's possible we might make one someday... do you need a conventional bathtub for children? What am I overlooking?

What in the world is wrong with our bathroom shower?

geeky — Fri, 30 May 2008 11:19:23 -0800

What in the world is wrong with our bathroom shower? When I turn on the faucet in the bathtub, the water runs just fine. Plenty of water pressure there (and plenty throughout the rest of the house). However, when I pull the lever to divert the water to the shower head, the water only trickles out of the shower head. No water comes out of the faucet once the shower is on. Shutting off the water and restarting the shower will sometimes result in slightly better water flow, but still nowhere near normal levels.

The house and shower are relatively new (8 years old). The shower head is brand new as it was replaced by the previous owner right before we moved in (the old shower head had errant spray). I don't remember noticing any problems with water flow during the inspection.

Is this a shower head problem, a diverter problem, some other part problem or should we stop guessing and just call a plumber already?

Portable hot tub

tonci — Wed, 14 May 2008 15:27:44 -0800

Can anyone recommend a good portable spa? Or have experience using a wood fired heater with a storage tank? I'm less interested in the jets than I am in the ability to keep the temperature very high and its comfort for a few people. Particularly interested in any hard folding frame items that could be mated with a wood-fired heater like the Chofu.

Would love to hear what you've found as I figure out what investment to make. Thanks

Can you spray paint a storage tub?

FortyT-wo — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 00:01:01 -0800

Is it possible to (successfully) spray-paint a rubbermaid storage tub that would sit outside and be exposed to the weather? Alternative suggestions for sprucing up a plastic storage tub welcome! I want to make some self-watering planters from some plans I've found on the web. They involve using storage tubs, and look pretty easy/neat/effective. They also look kind of trashy (to me) when completed. I was thinking that they might look nicer if painted a terra cotta color (like real earthboxes). Is there a spray paint that would work on this material and hold up during 8 months or so outside in the elements?

Do I have other options to make these attractive? Here's a link to the plans... be aware that it's a PDF.

I have a rather small deck and we enjoy the heck out of it all spring/summer/fall. I love to grow vegetables out there, and am excited about these planters, but don't want them to be an eyesore.

OH NOEZ! MAH SMILEY BALL IZ STUCK IN DA TUB DRAIN!

4ster — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 13:29:58 -0800

Suggestions needed for getting a rubber ball out of a tub drain pipe. Will Drano or Liquid Plumr dissolve it? Are there other DIY options? I was bathing my daughter last week when her toy smiley-face rubber ball went down the drain. This ball is probably 1/8" smaller than the drain itself and is now far enough down the drain that I can't see or feel it.

So far, I have tried poking with a coat hanger and removing the two screws that hold the round disk that holds the lever that closes the drain. As it turns out, that round disk is there purely for cosmetic reasons, as the lever isn't connected to anything.

The ball is made out of the same material as rubber duckies. Would Drano dissolve it? Any other suggestions other than calling a plumber?

Thanks in advance.

How to paint a bath tub?

ets960 — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 06:47:49 -0800

Does anybody have experience with painting a bath tub? I heard about using the plastic krylon spray paint that you can buy at wal-mart which is supposed to bond to acrylic, I'm wondering if anybody has tried this? How about using a refinishing kit?

Where will I find tub?

arnicae — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 11:40:39 -0800

I love relaxing in a tub after a long day's work. Problem is, my apartment has only a shower! Can you help me find a tub-substitute (that doesn't involve going to icky public baths) please? Is there such thing as an inflatable bath-tub that is sized for an adult? I can't find any kiddy pools that would work and the only adult-sized inflatable bathtub is the EZ-Bathe, which costs well over three hundred bucks and is intended for patients who cannot move. Extra points if it includes an easy way to prevent me getting water all over the floor and is deeper than 10 inches. Thanks!

How do I replace a shower/tub faucet?

[insert clever name here] — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 22:43:25 -0800

How do I replace a shower/tub faucet? My shower handle snapped off this morning, at the cartridge, in the on position. After turning off the whole house valve and taking the broken handle apart, it looks like its time for a whole new shower assembly. Partially because I am sick of the hideous shower I have, and partially because things appear really broken with the existing system.

I purchased a plumbing book from Home Depot and searched the interwebs, but am running into issues not addressed thus far.

The old valve uses a cartridge (Moen faucet). However, the cartridge seems to be permanently bonded to the valve, even after removing the metal peace that holds it in place, it won't budge.

The valve used looks like its probably not being used in modern faucets anymore. The vertical pipe connects behind the horizontal pipes, where all the valves I looked at on Moen's site look like they're in line, so I suspect this is an old design that is no longer used. This leads me to believe the copper pipe will need to be replaced and made to match up inline.

The piping is 1/2 inch, the shower I like only comes in 3/4 inches connections. I'm not sure if the 1/2 piping can be replaced or adapted.

The bath/shower walls are tile. I really would rather not replace the tile as I like the way it looks and also am not interested in forking out the dough to replace it. HOWEVER, coming through the back to get to the piping isn't an option, as the wall on the other side is the kitchen wall with cabinets. I do have 15 spare tiles (its 6"x12" tile) but the only info I've been able to find talks about a new tile/shower installation, not trying to fit into an existing one.

So I really don't know where to begin. Everything I've found so far either addresses new installations, replacing minor components, such as a new handle, or having some back access which I don't have. I'm not sure if that means I'm going to have to rip everything out and start from scratch, or if I am just overlooking information that pertains to my situation.

Any suggestions and advice on how to approach this project would be greatly appreciated. I'm moderately handy and between my husband and I we do most of the home repairs ourselves, usually successfully. However, this is the most complex plumbing issue either of us has faced.

My wonderful tub makes a terrible shower.

banannafish — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 06:50:01 -0800

How can I fix my clawfoot-forced-shower's complete lack of water pressure? I live in a Victorian flat/condo that was just recently renovated, and bathroom aside, it is wonderful. But come 6:45am as I blindly stumble into the bathroom I am greeted with the most paltry of water pressure. Water still gushes from the facet and I have to spend a majority of the shower bent over holding the tub to shower lever to get anything more than a drizzle out of the showerhead. The landlord said that since the shower was installed on an old tub that I should expect less water pressure, but this is practically washing myself with a water fountain.

After the initial wallet shock of moving, I am trying and hoping to do this repair on the cheap. I am not opposed to a handheld mount, I would just rather save as much money as possible, so if I could just use what I currently have and maybe putty/stucco or add some type of washer or nuts and bolts to fix it, that would be top notch.

Simple Bathroom Repair

crewshell — Sat, 25 Mar 2006 18:09:54 -0800

Where can I find good instructions for free and online on how to "choke" a bath tub? More specifically, rechoke actually. I tried google but i think I am missing a few bolts today, I cant seem to pull anything but spam sites up! I've rechoked a sink before, but I want this next job to look primo so I need to study up before I begin.

thanks ask.

Help me fix my bathtub while managing a disagreeable downstairs neighbour

acoutu — Wed, 14 Sep 2005 15:30:28 -0800

What can you do if you live in a concrete building and need emergency access to your bathtub connection but have a neighbour who blocks access? The tub in my condo was in very rough shape when I moved in last year. My condo's bathtub was in rough shape when I moved in. Bare metal showed through, in big patches. I think someone tried to remedy the situation in this thread using some sort of harsh chemical. We had planned to replace the tub, but two plumbers have said that they can't be sure that they can get a perfect fit to the drain. If they can't make a perfect connection, then they'd need to go to the suite below us and make a connection through the ceiling, since we are in a concrete building and the drain is below the floor of my suite. However, the downstairs neighbour ignored written requests for us to have this "just in case" access. (We did offer to pay all costs.) The strata manager says that the poor fellow suffers from extreme paranoia, including delusions that people randomly enter and ransack his suite. (Having heard the fellow at the strata AGM, we know this is true.) It's extremely unlikely that the downstairs neighbour would allow our plumber to fix the connection, if there was a problem.

Is there anything we can do? We'd keep the existing tub, but it's in rough shape. The tub drain and overflow (screw only) appear to be rusting. If we remove them, we're not sure there will be anything stable to connect them to. Do we have any legal rights regarding protection of the integrity of our suite? (ie. We really need to replace the tub or at least fix the drains, because it could cause flooding. If we don't connect properly, our suite and the downstairs suite could flood.) I live in British Columbia, if that helps.

Waterlogged hot tub cover...

docpops — Sun, 05 Jun 2005 13:38:03 -0800

Need advice on healing / replacing a waterlogged, heavy spa cover. We have a Hot Springs spa, 3 or 4 years old. The spa cover is unmanageably heavy, which I assume is from gradual moisture absorption from the water below. Today I unzipped the front half and removed the foam insert. It seems to be fully sealed in a plastic envelope, leading me to wonder if it can even conceivably dry out in less than a number of weeks in such a liner, and whether I should just bite the bullet and purchase a new cover.
If I do get one, are there dependable 'clone' brands? Are there ways to better ensure I don't repeat the same problem in such a relatively short time?
Thanks.

Fixing Drywall Around Shower

willnot — Sun, 06 Mar 2005 18:54:05 -0800

In trying to fix the joint where my wall meets up with my shower, I wrecked my wall. What do I need to do to fix it? OK, so I noticed that the caulking where the top of my shower/tub joins up with the wall was disintegrating, and the wall was starting to curl up away from the tub. I went to get some caulk, but found this tub sealer tape instead. Basically it was rubber trim on one side and glue on the back side. I applied it, and realized that the trim was much too wide for the top edge of the tub where it was supposed to attach, so it was jutting out into space.

Here's where the genius part comes in. I said to myself that looks like crap. I can't leave it like that. I could maybe get a knife to trim it away, but that would probably end up looking bad as well. It's only been in contact with the wall for a few minutes. Maybe if I'm careful I can peel it off without much bother.

There was much bother. I pulled away the paint, and I think the paper surface of the drywall in a big strip. See a high-res image of the damage here (scroll down - it's a big photo).

Now that it's done, how do I fix it?