Framing a bath

[rodwillis]

Hi guys


I have a job where my clients want me to build a frame around a new bath and tile it (the nearest thing I can relate it to is a Moroccan style but not mosaic if that makes any sense) however I am worried that if there is any problems the plumber wont be able to access the pipes under the bath, have you chaps or chapettes have any suggestions, I have thought of magnets but unsure if this would work, any help would be really appreciated.


Cheers in advance Rod

[Mike]

you will have to have a tile or 2 as access depending on if pipes/waste/motor are at different ends. you can fix them with magnets as you say then silicon the grout line in the same colour as the grout, mapei do a good range of matching silicons and grout. it will be easy for access then when required, just slit the silicion with a stanley knife

[rodwillis]

Any recommendations on where I can get magnets that are up to the job ?

Cheers Rod

[rodwillis]

Sorry I forgot to mention these are quite big porcelain tiles hence the worry about magnets

[Mike]

here are some, as long as they hold the tile till the silicon sets they will be okay 4 PACK MAGNETIC CATCHES FOR ACCESS PANELS TILING TOOLS | eBay

[Lodger]

Dont bother with magnets. Tile the floor and walls first. Use some 2"X2" to build the frame. To work out the hight of the frame, use this formula. Total hight from floor tile to lip of bath, less thickness of moisture proof plasterboard, less thickness of tile and adhesive. The frame needs to be full width with little clearance so you are able to slot the frame in between the two walls. Now, using a spirit level, draw a line on the floor and the walls on each end of the bath tub level to the edge of the bath tub. Now fix a baton on the walls and floor 10mm in from this line, so your frame will sit 10mm inside the bath tub. I use moisture proof plasterboard to bord the panel and the top ready for tiling. Tile the face of the panel level to the top of the panel. Cut a length of tile trim and tile the top of the panel. Once dry, (Use quick set adhesive) you will be able to slot the panel into the side of the bath tub, use some wedges to level up and wedge in place, and silicone all round.
If you ever need to gain access under the bath, then just cut the silicone and remove the panel. Job done!

If you need more information then just ask.

[Dave]

I don't like access panels TBO.. look poo..

Leave spare tiles and knock a way in for repairs..

But to be honest... very rarely will anything fail if plumbed correctly..

[Mike]

I don't like access panels TBO.. look poo..

Leave spare tiles and knock a way in for repairs..

But to be honest... very rarely will anything fail if plumbed correctly..

the u-bend is likely to get blocked. it does in my house with my wifes long hair

[Dave]

Then use a hair trap,,

Either way panels look crap.

[simonb43]

Agree with Dave on this one, access to pipes not really needed if plumbing done correctly. Bear in mind when tiling bathroom floors, do you leave access to pipes underneath ??

[Mike]

it's always handy to leave a tile at the end of the bath for access in my opinion, and as i said previous if you use colour match silicon you can't see the 'panel'. here's one i done recently, the 'access' tile is the centre tile at the tap end.

[Bathfix Bob]

I have to agree with Mike, as a plumber/bathroom fitter myself there is nothing worse than needing access under a bath for any number of reasons and having to start levering expensive tiles to do a simple job. "we did have a spare but it was thrown out"!

I once was called to a non flushing toilet where the hideaway cistern had been walled over (stone wall), I had to smash away the wall just to replace the syphon, the whole bathroom was coverd in dust and rubble all over the dust sheets. I replaced it with a plywood frame with a shelf with a removable back.

I mean why leave a loft hatch when you can just break through the plasterboard?

[Stewart]

Waste of time IMO with a standard bath and only put access in if there's a pump under there....


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[jay]

Waste of time IMO with a standard bath and only put access in if there's a pump under there....


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- Created on iPhone.....

same down here (cant have much faith in the plumbers over there )

[Mike]

each to there own but it's always handy for access to clear u-bend or change taps (they do break or corrode occasionally) it only takes a few minutes extra to put them in and if you do a good job you won't see it.

[Bathfix Bob]

Spot on, people sometimes buy cheap internet mixertaps (5 tap hole etc) and its not uncomman for them to fail repeatedly requiring them to be replaced, no spares etc.

But yes if we lived in an ideal world then its okay to tile everything in.

[tfs]

If I frame around a bath I preffer to use 4x2 timber if the frame will create a ledge around any side of the bath. This gives greater strenght and less play. People will always sit/ stand on the ledge etc.

If you have the choice go for cement board etc as the ply can cuase a few cracks in the grout or raise the odd tile over time due to excessive water sitting on the ledge etc.

[tfs]

Just try not to leave your hammer and the sink taps behind the panel when you sheet over it like I did

[Mike]

I do mine the same but in the picture(of mine) above i've turned the 4" x 2" round to keep the panel to a minimum as it's a small bathroom. the panel protrudes by around 40mm including tile and plasterboard