How can I build a jerry-rigged/improvised bathtub for my shower stall?
December 9, 2019 2:37 PM Subscribe
My partner really wants to take baths. We live in a place with only a shower. It's kind of little, too --- 58" x 26", and it has a sort of spa-like rock floor that's very nice on the feet but annoying in this situation. So, what do I do here? Get a livestock tank and put inflatable cushions in it? Get a big steel tub and drill a hole in the bottom for a plug? Haven't found an inflatable tub option that's great.
Here's one that comes in at 25.6 in one dimension.
posted by oceano at 3:47 PM on December 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by oceano at 3:47 PM on December 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
As a thought... what if it leaks? Catastrophic failure of epic and expensive proportions, or just use a wet-vac to slurp up the mess and wipe up the last drips with a towel?
If the later, there are folding kiddie pools for children and pets (watch out for leaks at the folds), barrel-shaped tubs (how do you get in and out without knocking them over?), and collapsing laundry baskets/baby baths (I've seen an adult-size one on Facebook on M&N DIY, but I can't track down the actual item for sale).
If you don't mind the non-collapsing units there are stock tanks made of plastic or galvanized metal. Be advised that these may be subject to leaking at the bottom seams.
A temporary tub would require filling and bailing water, preferably warm water. A portable pump could be used to manually transfer the water into the shower.
In some cases, upper stories are not built to support the weight of a large volume of water (one gallon equals eight pints or 8.34 pounds).
For my money I would go outdoors and use a folding tub or a child's wading pool, in case I lean against it and cause it to collapse or it springs a leak. Another option would be finding a gym that has a pool or hot tub.
posted by TrishaU at 5:56 PM on December 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
If the later, there are folding kiddie pools for children and pets (watch out for leaks at the folds), barrel-shaped tubs (how do you get in and out without knocking them over?), and collapsing laundry baskets/baby baths (I've seen an adult-size one on Facebook on M&N DIY, but I can't track down the actual item for sale).
If you don't mind the non-collapsing units there are stock tanks made of plastic or galvanized metal. Be advised that these may be subject to leaking at the bottom seams.
A temporary tub would require filling and bailing water, preferably warm water. A portable pump could be used to manually transfer the water into the shower.
In some cases, upper stories are not built to support the weight of a large volume of water (one gallon equals eight pints or 8.34 pounds).
For my money I would go outdoors and use a folding tub or a child's wading pool, in case I lean against it and cause it to collapse or it springs a leak. Another option would be finding a gym that has a pool or hot tub.
posted by TrishaU at 5:56 PM on December 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
My first thought was "outdoors," too. The stock tank idea is appealing, since the best bathtub is a large bathtub (me being an economy-sized American). But you do need a lot of warm water then, and without a tankless water heater you may be swimming in tepidsville. A metal stock tub is going to cool off pretty fast, too.
Something that fits into the shower stall seems problematic, mostly fthinking of emptying it. I guess you could rig up a hole near the bottom with a plug, but you have to ensure that the water flowing out of the tub will be slower than the existing drain will keep up with, or you may have an overflow situation ... which might be bad.
I do applaud your ambition to satisfy your partner, though. Good luck and let us know what you settle on.
posted by Gilgamesh's Chauffeur at 6:42 PM on December 9, 2019
Something that fits into the shower stall seems problematic, mostly fthinking of emptying it. I guess you could rig up a hole near the bottom with a plug, but you have to ensure that the water flowing out of the tub will be slower than the existing drain will keep up with, or you may have an overflow situation ... which might be bad.
I do applaud your ambition to satisfy your partner, though. Good luck and let us know what you settle on.
posted by Gilgamesh's Chauffeur at 6:42 PM on December 9, 2019
About putting a soft-sided portable tub in the shower....
The tub will probably block the shower drain, making it difficult to remove the water without overflowing the shower pan.
The tub drain must be carefully positioned or it could scratch the shower walls or floor. It may be dislodged or leak, creating a flood. It may be difficult to reach and open, and if so the water flow could be difficult to control.
The water volume could push against the sides of the portable tub, find a low spot, and suddenly overflow.
The water volume could push the sides of the tub against the shower walls (and door) and cause damage.
The water level will rise once a person or animal gets inside, causing increased water pressure against the tub walls.
A person or animal could trip over the tub edge or fall on top of the tub wall, causing the wall to collapse and suddenly overflow.
As you can guess, I am not a fan of easily collapsible tubs inside the house. I took baths in galvanized tubs as a child when visiting relatives. Other than heating and bailing out the water, it seemed to work for my aunt and uncle. Then they got indoor plumbing and that was the end of Saturday baths in the kitchen.
posted by TrishaU at 8:01 PM on December 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
The tub will probably block the shower drain, making it difficult to remove the water without overflowing the shower pan.
The tub drain must be carefully positioned or it could scratch the shower walls or floor. It may be dislodged or leak, creating a flood. It may be difficult to reach and open, and if so the water flow could be difficult to control.
The water volume could push against the sides of the portable tub, find a low spot, and suddenly overflow.
The water volume could push the sides of the tub against the shower walls (and door) and cause damage.
The water level will rise once a person or animal gets inside, causing increased water pressure against the tub walls.
A person or animal could trip over the tub edge or fall on top of the tub wall, causing the wall to collapse and suddenly overflow.
As you can guess, I am not a fan of easily collapsible tubs inside the house. I took baths in galvanized tubs as a child when visiting relatives. Other than heating and bailing out the water, it seemed to work for my aunt and uncle. Then they got indoor plumbing and that was the end of Saturday baths in the kitchen.
posted by TrishaU at 8:01 PM on December 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
To be honest, you might want to put that money and effort towards occasional spa visits or a hotel room with a bath. You might be able to pull together a container which can simultaneously hold hot water and a human body, but even if you get past the logistical issues, a tub in a shower stall is never going to be as pleasant a bathing experience as a proper bath (I'm assuming that this would matter to your partner).
posted by tavegyl at 8:24 PM on December 9, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by tavegyl at 8:24 PM on December 9, 2019 [3 favorites]
I’d think twice. Water is very heavy and I’ve heard floors have to be specially reinforced to support the weight of a full bathtub.
posted by amaire at 10:21 PM on December 9, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by amaire at 10:21 PM on December 9, 2019 [4 favorites]
A little field reporting. On the strength of the $mazon reviews I went ahead and ordered the first tub recommended by oceano (nice user name!). It arrived yesterday evening and last night I had the most satisfying, the most relaxing, indoor soak of my life. If your floor can handle the weight I think your partner will be delighted.
[Full disclosure. I am an avid bather with a regular sized tub. Over the years I have often longed for that completely submersive soak you get in a hot tub. This inflatable tub, positioned with a little scrunch inside my regular tub, did the trick.]
posted by 6thsense at 3:54 AM on December 17, 2019 [1 favorite]
[Full disclosure. I am an avid bather with a regular sized tub. Over the years I have often longed for that completely submersive soak you get in a hot tub. This inflatable tub, positioned with a little scrunch inside my regular tub, did the trick.]
posted by 6thsense at 3:54 AM on December 17, 2019 [1 favorite]
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posted by oceano at 3:37 PM on December 9, 2019