Bath Waste - Old for new

[Daz H]

Hello!

Looking to replace the waste connects on my bath (not 100% if it’s cast iron or steel). The bath is going to be panelled in so retaining period features is not my goal. I’m hoping to replace the current waste and trap with plastic (likely McAlpine).

Anyone any experience with a similar thing? Keen to know what pitfalls I may encounter. I’m fully expecting to have a tough time removing the old parts but I’m just apprehensive about the tub accommodating a modern part.

I should add that the current (and cracked) waste connects to lead which, is being replaced and stepped to 40mm

Also, the 2 red circled pics are of the same nut. There’s damage to the waste after this nut (as you can see from the mummified bandage) but I want to swap out the whole thing, trap included and retrofit directly to the tub.

*The 2nd picture kept loading upside down for some reason. Even when I flipped it it still wanted to be like that so, there it is. Nothing’s ever easy is it

Many thanks!!!

[Bob225]

It should be fine looking at the ripple that is a good old cast iron bath, you may need some good quality sanitary silicon acetate to get a good seal (Dow 781/785+)

ps. Get some Kilrock Gel limescale remover it should shift that grime

[andy48]

1. Looks like cast iron to me. Also looks as if it has been re-enamelled at some time.
2. The rust around the waste looks as if it under the enamel, and therefore likely to be rusting of the waste opening in the bath itself. You might find irreparable damage when you remove the waste fitting.
3. I would plan on cutting the existing trap off. I think you'd be lucky to get the nut securing it to the waste fitting undone. Cut just above the nut, preferably with a hacksaw as its more controllable than an angle grinder.
4. If you aren't particularly bothered about retaining the look, why not replace the current bath with an enamelled steel one?

[Daz H]

you may need some good quality sanitary silicon acetate to get a good seal (Dow 781/785+)

ps. Get some Kilrock Gel limescale remover it should shift that grime

I’ve got some of the Dow stuff ready waiting. I’ll take a look at the gel you mentioned as well!

[Daz H]

2. The rust around the waste looks as if it under the enamel, and therefore likely to be rusting of the waste opening in the bath itself. You might find irreparable damage when you remove the waste fitting.

Yeah, fingers crossed it’s not too bad. Hopefully at the least it might be something I can treat and halt in its tracks. I guess I won’t know for sure until it’s apart. Had initially thought of a new bath but if this one doesn’t turn out to be too bad, I’d rather clean it up and breathe some life back into it!

Cheers

[Bob225]

It's too even around the plug hole that looks like a tide mark where the water has been sitting - there may be the odd spec of rust in it but it looks like limescale and grime build-up to me

with the gel scuff the limescale with a scrubber apply the gel and you can usually watch it break down the lime leave it a few min's and re-apply and give it a bit longer. Living in a very hard water area I have tried a lot of limescale sprays, soaps and gels, this one seems to do the trick

[wes56]

When the waste is removed it will be obvious how much rust is there. At 8 O'clock on the waste there's a chip down to the CI showing rust.
The trap outlet connecting nut will be easy to unwind with large grips and a few light taps with a hammer handle - no need for any cutting.
Where the waste tail back nut nips up to the waste hole there will be a machined flat. Use a small smooth file to clean off the flat.

The wrapping material is Denso tape - brilliant stuff for sealing cracks on hard metal and lead.
What signs are showing a re-enamelling?
Your h/w and c/w supplies and taps should be in 22mm not 15mm for a bath fixture.

[Daz H]

Living in a very hard water area I have tried a lot of limescale sprays, soaps and gels, this one seems to do the trick

Ive got some on order as we speak! Thanks for the tip

[Daz H]

Your h/w and c/w supplies and taps should be in 22mm not 15mm for a bath fixture.

I seem to have a piece of every pipe going . No ones ever renewed the system, just added bits here and there with no real consistency so, will be nice to update

Cheers for the tips!

[Daz H]

So.. just to tie this one up... this all ended up being a satisfying job. The bath weighs an absolute tonne but, got it stood in its end and had to resort to using a blow torch and a hammer to get the old trap off. Once off, the bath looked not too bad. I fibreglassed up the old tap holes and used one of these to drill new ones...

EZARC Tungsten Carbide Teeth Hole Saw (Hole Cutter) Heavy Duty for Stainless Steel, Industrial Grade 110mm https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0794S9FCM/ ... UTF8&psc=1

I also used regular hss bits to drill 4mm holes around the perimeter to accept framing for a shower screen I made. Sharp drills, slow speed, some oil plus bit of patience and all was well. Pd £300 to get the bath re-enamelled and I’m so glad I kept it original instead of getting a new tub. Keeps some period features and felt quite respectful to the property. McAlpine solved all my trap woes as well.

[Someone-Else]

But what about the new trap? no pictures

[Daz H]

I went for this on the bath

https://www.screwfix.com/p/mcalpine-bot ... 40mm/21158

Perfect fit and since I flipped the bath 180, it gave me plenty clearance for the longer waste drop I now needed. Works great especially in limited space