Please help I'm gutted my new bath is so uncomfortable

[thecertaintyofchance]

I'm so so disappointed. My husband thinks I'm being ridiculous of course but my new bath is so uncomfortable.
Basically I loved the old one. It was a roll top bath from bathstore that had yellowed with age ( only 8 years old) . So the plan was replace with better fitting and re tile. I chose a heritage bath which was the same size and looked pretty identical.
Anyway the whole thing has been a nightmare. They found damp and issues with plumbing and all in its cost over 10000.
Taking a nice hot bath is one of my only vices so last night I thought I'd celebrate the new bathroom by running a bath.
Anyway first disappointment is that I can't reach the tals to turn them on and off with my feet- but I will get over that. More important though is that the back is so upright that I just slide down ( I'm short) and the bath doesn't fit the curve of my back therefore. I ended up with a crick neck and stiff back.
It's been a huge huge expense and I feel it's been a waste of money. There are lots of square baths around so how do people relax in them. Am I missing something? I'm googled to find something to put in the bath but there's nothing out there.

[unweavedrainbow]

You can get bath cushions, but they're mainly designed for people with disabilities or the elderly, so you might have to search around a bit for something that isn't hideously ugly. Does it hurt you to lean back?

[thecertaintyofchance]

I guess because the bath is kind of upright I'm making one side of a triangle so kind of lying in the bath like a plank but i slide down because I'm short. Then my neck is cricked at a painful angle. My non existent stomach muscles can't take it.
Do people really sit upright in the bath rather than languish in the bubbles?

[poocatcherchampion]

You might get used to it?

We got a disappointingly small bath when we changed it and I've totally got used to it now I'm not quite so pregnant other peoples baths feel like swimming!

[TheWildRumpyPumpus]

We had a really long and straight sided bathtub, it was great as I'm 5'10" so could fill it up deep and be fully underwater.

Bit late for this advice but to anyone else buying one, go and sit in it before purchasing!

[LettuceLaughton]

Is it not 'just' that it's longer than the old one? Do you have a teeny plastic stool you could put at the foot end to keep you in place / rest your feet against?

[LettuceLaughton]

Or one of those nonslip mats for under your bum to stop the slippage. Maybe. I'd prefer a wee stool myself though, I think.

[80sMum]

OP, I feel your pain! I used to love having a long, relaxing soak in the tub but I haven't done that since March 2007, when we refurbished our bathroom!

The bath is this one and as you can see it cost a fortune! Sadly, we have hardly used it in 8 years. It is very, very slippery and the slope at each end is just "wrong". Doesn't fit a human form. I keep sliding down it, so I have to sit upright.

I have tried non-slip mats, bath pillows etc but gave up and only have showers now.

[TheWildRumpyPumpus]

That's similar to ours. You have to fill it really deep and sit against the back, as a PP said use something to stop you from slipping forwards.

[BasinHaircut]

How devastating! I don't think you can go wrong with a standard boring old normal bath TBH. They don't look the part but if you actually want to use it and not just stare at it they are the business!

[thecertaintyofchance]

Basin I think you are right but the bathstore roll top was v comfy. Taking a bath really is one of my favourite things. It's my me time. I have 4 boys and a stressful job and the bathroom is my sanctuary.
I may try a stool to see if is is the length. It's odd as it actually measures shorter than the old one.
DH thinks I've gone mad but the ensuite is my bit of the house. the main bathroom just has a shower for the boys.

[SingingBear]

I sympathise - had exactly the same when I replaced mine in a previous bathroom. Went for an "upright ended" one like you describe as we had a shower over it too and I thought it was better as you could stand closer to the shower. Result - I had one bath, and then never again. So no help, but just wanted to say it's not your imagination.

[TheWildRumpyPumpus]

It's not the overall length. It's the length of the base of the bath, so from where your bum would be to your toes. If you can't reAch the end to prop yourself then you need another solution!

[ParkingFred]

This is why people should lie in baths to test them out.

My bath is the perfect length for lying/sleeping in and topping up with my toes. I am loathe to replace it for this reason.

[thecertaintyofchance]

I wanted to try it but it looked the same and very few show rooms seemed to have roll tops in.
Unfortunately I'm stuck with this for 20 years or so. It looks beautiful.
The showrooms are full of deep square ended baths so someone likes them. Or they are taller than me.

[plantsitter]

Get a neck cushion that sticks on the bath. I got one in Tiger. Now i kind of float by my neck which is v comfy.

[hiccupgirl]

We got the same when we changed our bathroom 4 years ago. The old bath was an ugly shell one that leaked when the shower was on but was comfy to lie in. The new one doesn't leak or have nasty shell mouldings but is just not as comfy to take a bath in.

I did get a head cushion thing from the Body Shop which helped a bit but tbh I just don't take as many baths anymore.

[FeckoffandDie]

Oh we just got a bath and fitted it and I hate it too. Our old one was very basic but had a sort of finish that water just rolled off when you emptied it.

It was super easy to clean. Our new one is the most awful, rubbish finish ever (despite being v thick enamel, apparently) and everything sticks to it and it has limescale after 3 months...I want to rip it out...it was a cheap bath but I'm worried about getting another one that is awful too.

Also our water pressure is so poor that there seems little point even having a bath tbh.

I feel for you OP. I am guessing that your bath itself wasn't the biggest amount of money though, out of all the work you had done?

In which case could you just change the bath, adjust the tiling and go from there? You wouldn't have to do all the plumbing again.

[thecertaintyofchance]

I think unfortunately because it's free standing it wouldn't be that simple. It drove the plumber and tiler mad. Nightmare all round really.

[FeckoffandDie]

Well it's worth asking...free standing is great as you don't have to retile the whole wall.

There is a waste outlet, right? And two tap pipes?

Those are all adjustable to fit a new free standing bath without much hassle at all. Though it may be more complicated, without seeing it it's hard to tell.

[thecertaintyofchance]

I'm not sure my husband would ever forgive me!

[loveareadingthanks]

You could try and sell it to keep cost of replacement down.

Comfy bath is a must for me. Last house had a fecking awful uncomfortable stupid shape one. Current flat has nice normal bath. Lovely.

I do look at the baths in the posh showrooms and think they look great (for now, but I think they'll date badly) but don't look right shape for human beings.

[lolalotta]

Following

[hlr1987]

There are some things in life I really wish it was normal to bring home, test and then return if it doesn't suit you. Baths, washing machines, Hoover's, tee towels. Anything that drives you nuts if it isn't quite right.

[hlr1987]

Did you keep the old one, as you can just repaint the enamel. It stinks, but your DH may be less annoyed if you don't need to replace it and can sell on the new one..

[crimsonlake]

I had this when I bought a roll top bath, really not comfortable as there was not enough tilt in the back, so disappointing when you have treated yourself. Trick is to test them out in the showroom, if I ever get a new one that is what I will be doing.