The Death of the Bathtub: Why Brits Are Falling Out of Love With the Soak

The age of the bathtub may be over, as millions of Brits admit to not using their bathtub for 12 months or more.

According to brand new data from MyBuilder.com, the reliable way to hire tradespeople, more than a third (34 per cent) of people in the UK who have a bath in their home have not used it for a year or more. The result was consistent whatever the age range or gender of the people surveyed, suggesting this is a universal trend.

Geographically there were some interesting variations – residents of Northern Ireland were the least likely to use their bath, with nearly half (42 per cent) admitting to not using their tub for over a year. Residents in the North East, however, were still regular users, with just a fifth (19 per cent) saying they hadn’t indulged in a soak.

The research also uncovered that more than a third (34 per cent) of Brits were unhappy with their bathroom and would like to remodel. Again, this was consistent across age groups, although those aged 35-54 were revealed to be the least happy, with 39 per cent wanting to change their bathrooms. One reason Brits may be ditching the bath is to save money, with data from MyBuilder.com also revealing that 64 per cent are mindful of their water usage.

Mike Flook, a plumbing expert from MyBuilder.com, said that removing bathtubs allows for more roomy and impressive looking showers, should that be the preference of the homeowners. But there are some factors that are important to consider.

“Drainage is absolutely key when it comes to replacing a bath with a shower, especially if you want to install a floor level shower tray. The waste pipe would run underneath the floor, within the joist space, and this must comply with building regulations.

“The hot and cold feed pipework can also be run down through the ceiling if there is enough room in the loft space for it to be situated.

“You also need to ensure that the floor is level for a shower tray. With a bath, you can adjust the legs accordingly, but a shower is different. There needs to be enough room to seal around a shower enclosure to ensure a water tight seal.

“While many of us might still enjoy a good soak in the tub, it seems that for many, showers are the preferred option. If that’s the case, it could be worth considering taking out your bath and creating a better space for a really great shower room.

“Bathtubs are generally large and take up the majority of most bathrooms, so if you’re not using it, it’s just a waste of valuable room. It’s worth noting, though, that if this is your only bathtub, it may be more difficult for you to sell your property down the line. Many potential buyers, such as families with young children, still look for homes with a bath and may eliminate your property as an option if it doesn’t have one.

“However, before making any final decision, make sure you get a professional in to advise on how to create the shower room that you’re after and to ensure that all logistical necessities are taken care of, such as pipe placement. Otherwise you could end up with a big mess and a large bill!”

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