Bathtub water trapped issues in a brand new rental - plumbers/bathroom designers pls help!

Embaloo on 10/07/2020 - 23:44
Last edited 10/07/2020 - 23:57

Looking for actual advice pls.

We have a really badly designed (but brand new) bath/shower combo.

https://ibb.co/tXS84kr

Been living not long in this brand new rental unit.

The bath has got a raised lip but then a tiled trough all around it, which collects water (tiled wall and everything), and then some of the water completely soaks most of the bathroom floor, meaning we can have nothing on it like a bath mat or a loo mat, any books, any clothes or anything. Tough particulary on winter mornings/nights when the tiles are freezing.

Are there any solutions that we could do as a rental?? The place has not been lived in before.

Its a lovely bathroom but an awful design fault.

If it had a shower curtain, that could at least keep the water contained in the bath, but nothing like that is installed on the wall…

Any ideas? We are worried about longer term water damage in the trough, slipping on heaps of water when we get out, never being able to use a bath mat (it gets soaked immediately) etc.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • this is us on 10/07/2020 - 23:50
    +1

    Diagram or photo, please. https://imgbb.com/

  • Hybroid on 10/07/2020 - 23:55
    +4

    Get an extendable bath curtain rod.

    • Embaloo on 10/07/2020 - 23:58

      Would be ideal, sadly the issue is in three directions…

    • Embaloo on 11/07/2020 - 00:01

      As in. Rather than a splash issue onto the floor, it leaks onto the floor from the parts of the trough that actually drain.

    • SlartiBartFozz on 11/07/2020 - 20:27

      Put in a curtain rod / wire, easy to remove and patch later when you leave.

  • ssquid on 11/07/2020 - 00:01
    +3

    So sounds like it's a tub not designed to have an overhead shower?

    • Embaloo on 11/07/2020 - 00:01

      Yes I reckon!!

      • ssquid on 11/07/2020 - 00:07
        +4

        Well obviously inform the agent or landlord, I doubt they're going to replace a brand new bath but at least make them aware ASAP that it's unsuitable for the job… You could maybe get a handheld shower head fitted and be careful about where you point it to minimize the splashing but I'd hate to spend every day showering like that.

        • Embaloo on 11/07/2020 - 00:10

          Yeah okay, wasn't sure it it was worth informing the agent. And mmm that may be an option. Likewise.

  • this is us on 11/07/2020 - 00:16
    +4

    I hope you don't put a bathtub in your bathroom when you decide to buy your own house. I particularly hate bathtubs and have difficulty understanding why people used to (and still) install them, particularly small bathtubs that are completely useless.

    When you say this is a brand new unit, I lose hope in humanity. Do engineers and architects actually go to Uni? You just need primary school to avoid some basic mistakes like this. Whoever designed that should lose their diploma.

    Anyway, I suggest you complain to the landlord and demand a solution as the bathroom is not fit for the simple purpose of taking a shower without the risk of slipping and dying. Plus, the bathroom will be humid all the time, which can ultimately cause respiratory symptoms.

    https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/evewoman/article/2001233343/…

    • Embaloo on 11/07/2020 - 00:21

      Wow!! Ouch yeah theres no handrail either except a towel rail and flimsy glass-esque screen.

      Yeah, really dumb! Ok, yeah, will take it up asap. Thanks for your empathy/despairing!

    • Euphemistic on 11/07/2020 - 06:45
      +4

      IMO bathtubs are useful if you have small kids. Trying to shower with a baby is difficult. Showering a toddler is equally not fun. Being able to put them in a bath is a lot easier.

      Agree with shower over bath being pretty dumb and this one seems especially poorly designed.

      • afoveht on 11/07/2020 - 08:12
        +1

        Shower over a bath is actually a good use of space and sharing plumbing - IMO a good idea - but the bath and other design needs to be appropriate.

        • Embaloo on 11/07/2020 - 08:47

          Exactly!

        • Euphemistic on 11/07/2020 - 12:38
          +4

          Shared space is a great idea, but shower over a bath sux. Having to step over a large ledge while you are wet and slippery

      • SlartiBartFozz on 11/07/2020 - 20:28

        … and washing pets.

    • skid on 11/07/2020 - 08:51

      I do agree with you and have toyed with the idea of removing the tub but am worried that it would lower the value of the house.

      • Euphemistic on 11/07/2020 - 12:39
        -3

        Losing a bath is not going to make a significant difference in value to a property.

        • try2bhelpful on 11/07/2020 - 12:41
          +1

          People with children prefer a tub. It will depend on the target market you want to sell to.

      • this is us on 11/07/2020 - 17:39

        I've recently bought an apartment off the plan and the original design had a bathtub. Honestly, I don't give a ****! I'm buying a place to live in and I don't care if people are dumb and don't actually know the price of a bathtub. That's cultural, but I don't see properties like investment if I am living there.

        For me, what increases the value of the property is a jacuzzi for two people, with massage. If that is not an option for whatever reason, or doesn't fit, then I don't want a bathtub. And I am sure people without children will be very happy with the property if I decide to sell it in a few years time. If they are not, they can add the bathtub. When you negotiate a property, the cost of a bathtub is negligible.

        I understand that it might be useful for children, but I don't have and don't want them (bathtub or children). 😀

        The place where I live now has a beautiful bathroom with a beautiful bathtub (separated from the shower) that I have never used because it's too small for any normal sized adult.

        • ssquid on 11/07/2020 - 17:59

          My ensuite could fit an average sized tub but it has a double shower instead, so much more practical.

    • SlartiBartFozz on 11/07/2020 - 20:31

      Building designers and architects rarely have a say in this kind of detail in low end apartments, because during tender / construction the builder /developer will substitute cheap rubbish or take items out completely, that aren't explicitly required by code or shown in marketing images.

  • corky on 11/07/2020 - 05:21

    A bamboo bathmat may help also in the meantime. Perhaps the landlord will install an oval or curved shower rail for you?

    • Embaloo on 11/07/2020 - 08:48

      Mmm that might be one solution. I'll look those up. Ideally it would be great if the trough could be built up to the same level as the bath lip, and a glass door put on. That would be ideal, after considering all you guys's thoughts.

      • omguleh on 11/07/2020 - 22:55

        Try a Diatomite Stone Bath Mat.

        Eg https://www.amazon.com.au/Marbrasse-Absorbent-Diatomaceous-A…

      • corky on 15/07/2020 - 08:46

        Something else that might be an idea is to fill up the troughs with black polished pebbles, then overlay with a sheet of plastic before putting a final layer of pebbles to disguise the plastic, at least this would stop the water from getting in the troughs but obviously isn't going to stop the splashing without a shower screen or curtain

        • Embaloo on 15/07/2020 - 18:26

          Thanks! This is a wonderful meantime suggestion!! :)

          • corky on 16/07/2020 - 08:25
            +1

            @Embaloo: Bunnings have waterproof tape called T-Rex but it's only 1.5 metre roll 40mm wide for $31 If you wanted to tape the plastic down if the budget stretches to that

  • John Kimble on 11/07/2020 - 06:26

    We have a similar setup unfortunately. We just change bath mats regularly. 😔

    • Embaloo on 11/07/2020 - 08:49

      Ooo :(
      That sucks… We might have to get rid of our bamboo furniture and/or material things in the bathroom if nothing changes…

  • Slinky0111 on 11/07/2020 - 07:37

    The solution might be that the glass screen needs to extend to 3 qtrs the length of the bath? Would reduce the splash zone.

  • DashCam AKA Rolts on 11/07/2020 - 10:18
    +2

    Try a different shower head, one with narrower throw. Also the extendable shower rod suggested by @Hybroid is a good idea. set it up so that it is inside the bath. Then put a large sponge on the tile section at the end of bath opposite the shower end to mop up water that gets passed.
    P.S. your criticism of engineers and architects is a bit harsh. I doubt an engineer or architect had anything to do with that design other placement of the bath, toilet, basin, the actual set up/choice of fixtures is down to the builder and interior design consultant. That is unless this is a very high end apartment.

    • Embaloo on 11/07/2020 - 12:03
      +1

      Thanks, good ideas! Yeah likely that an engineer/architect had nothing to do with it, more a last min thing. The laundry area is also in the bathroom, though, so I reckon a shower would have been in the original plans but then skipped and put over the bath.

  • try2bhelpful on 11/07/2020 - 10:27
    +2

    Make sure the landlord knows as it is, probably, damaging his property. You can get wooden stands for your bath mats to keep them out of the water and get a mop to soak up the excess water.

    • Embaloo on 11/07/2020 - 12:01

      Thanks, this IS helpful ;)

  • Cyphar on 11/07/2020 - 12:00
    +1

    The solution is to contact your landlord. This is their problem to fix. If you were to propose an idea, then the answer is a shower curtain to be installed as well as a detachable shower head which I believe is what was also referred to as an extendable head mentioned earlier.

  • AncientWisdom on 11/07/2020 - 12:39
    +2

    Definitely contact the landlord and let them know, especially since over time all that accumulation of water will cause mold.

  • Embaloo on 11/07/2020 - 12:47

    Thanks guys. We are completing the condition report so will include it.

  • Whensday on 11/07/2020 - 12:59

    You could also try a non-slip mat. They're designed to go inside the bath or shower, but they're made of rubber (I think) and have suction cups on the bottom. So it won't slide around on the wet floor and it will give you a bit of insulation against the cold tiles.

    • Embaloo on 11/07/2020 - 14:08

      Thanks! I like this too.

  • bmxr on 11/07/2020 - 15:33
    +2

    Wooden/Timber bathmat. You don't need a fabric bathmat over the top as the wood always feels warm and the elevated platform lets the water drain to the floor waste.

    $14 at Bunnings

    https://www.bunnings.com.au/estilo-59-5-x-39-5cm-timber-duck…

    Or fancier versiosn for inspiration:

    https://www.google.com/search?q=timber+bath+mat&rlz=1C1GCEB_…

  • Logical on 11/07/2020 - 22:58

    You could install a temporary apron around the walls to divert the splashing water back into the tub.

    • Embaloo on 11/07/2020 - 23:20

      Could you tell me more? Any ideas about what material to use/sealing etc?

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