Help! Bath is cracked

[scaredofthecity]

My DH just cracked our bath having a shower . Its our only way of washing and I'm on mat leave so we're pretty skint atm. Worst thing is he got in first so I didn't even get a shower before it's out of action.

I've been looking at new baths and it's all pretty confusing. Can anybody recommend a good place to get a cheap bath delivered as soon as possible?

Is it pretty easy to install a bath yourself?

I think it's cracked as the shower over the bath is the opposite end to the taps, so I think we're been standing on the delicate end to have a shower. My DH is very tall and well built so I think he must put a lot of stress on that area. Should we switch the new bath end around so the taps are the shower end? Does that come with it's own problems?

I've looked at double ended baths but they don't seem to come small enough, it has to fit in a 1630mm space.

Any help would be appreciated thank you!

Loads of 1600 enamelled steel baths on EBay at about £100. I'm 18 st and haven't cracked mine yet. They are relatively easy to diy fit.

Do you have home insurance with accidental damage buildings cover? If so claim on that

Thanks for the help. I think we're going to get one from Victoria plum. I am a bit weary of eBay (probably completely unjustified!)

Unfortunately our excess is too high on the home insurance, it wouldn't be worth the claim when we think we can install it ourselves.

A builders merchant or plumbers merchant may be cheaper than a showroom, and local to you.

Cheap plastic baths are very thin.

Steel baths are not expensive

Thich plastic baths are dearer.

The cheap plastic front panel is very thin, complete rubbish, and will crack. You can get an MDF one which will be much stronger.

Unless you have plumbing tools and skills, ask around for an experienced (wrinkly) local plumber by personal recommendation. A website where people pay to be advertised listed and can censor unfavourable comments is not a good source.

You will need a new waste and trap, and probably new taps too. Don't get a pop-up waste, it will leak. Actual plugs very rarely go wrong. Bristan is a good make. Avoid unbranded imports. Individual taps with a knob or capstan that screws up and down go wrong less than ceramic or joystick mixers.

Leave the front panel off for a few weeks so you can see the leaks.

You might find bargains in Plumbworld. Search "clearance"

Have a look in Wickes

Screwfix

Victoria plumb has a poor reputation for quality

Look at local building merchants, they often have bargains available in the reduced area

Thanks, too late I've already ordered it from there! But we've gone for a steel bath so hopefully it'll do the job.

Thanks for that piglet John, yep we're definitely going to have a bog standard plug. We're going to try and reuse the taps as planning to redo the bathroom next year so we'll just replace them then when we can to make sure it all coordinates.

Cheers for the tip about the panel.
My DH has successfully fitted a new power shower so I'm hoping the bath won't be too much trouble.