Vintage baths

Is there anything to beat the enveloping, sensual, swooning pleasure of a deep, hot lingering bath? The joys of the homely tub is a ritual of some 120 years standing as the convenience of indoor plumbing was introduced at least to the wealthy in the 1880s. An enamel finish impervious to hot water was perfected for cast iron baths, and by 1910 baths as we know them, were being mass-produced.

Roll top baths have achieved almost cult status today. They are the Rolls Royce of bathroom fittings for those with a taste for nostalgia, and set proudly in the middle of the floor they have the grace and presence of a fine piece of statuary. Set inside a paneled box they could be any old bath. It’s that shape, that voluptuous, almost womanly curve of the underside that makes them irresistible vessels.

Reproduction varieties are a staple in most bathroom outlets, and include magnificent versions by companies like Heritage Ireland (Dublin 01-8128200). Firms including Airbath International (available through Tubes and Tiles nationwide) have gorgeous spa versions of classic roll-tops if you want the look of ages with the sophistication of contemporary extras. A contemporary version of an Edwardian or Victorian original is generally more compact in size. However, if you are determined on buying an old bath in a raw unrestored state, shop with an educated eye.

First of all is the bath water tight, and free of rust? It is possible with shot blasting and re-enameling to recondition an old bath, and this is unlikely to affect its value. Enamel can be baked on or a urethane finish can be applied by spraying or rolling rending the internal surface glossy smooth again. A little distressing on the inside of a bath is acceptable, but if you want perfection be prepared to shell out several hundred Euro and the cost of transporting the bath itself. Companies such as Renu Bath in Dublin (01-4500433 with a nationwide service) will come to your home to spruce up your bath in situ’.

Alternatively, you could tackle a simple ‘ding’ yourself with a ‘bath rubber’ and an enamel kit from any plumber’s merchants. Incidentally, a cast iron bath is enormously heavy. When full it may way as much as 14 cwt., so have an engineer look at the bearing possibilities of your floor unless you want to go downstairs the quick way complete with ducky!

There’s an old country expression ‘no foot, no horse’. With antique baths it runs ‘no feet, not bath’, as the load of every bath is calculated in the setting of its feet, so ideally they should be original. If you are not prepared to panel and support it in some other way, walk away.

Feet too can be re-nickeled for example or blasted and painted.

Unusual plumbing features are also a potential headache. If there is an unusual trap for instance, ensure all the parts are there and in working order. If a bath has enjoyed a few decades as a cow trough, it may well have been plugged with cement, and freeing it up again might be tricky. There may be no tap holes at all in an old bath and double-ended French ‘bateau’ baths are great for a bath with a friend. All you need are standpipes to take the taps on one side of the bath, however you will need some sort of overflow facility if there is none in the bath to comply with modern standards. Integral taps can be replaced, though from a dealer’s point of view, original is best. A good salvage yard such as Architectural Classics, on South Gloucester St., in Dublin will be able to offer you a huge range of clean, reconditioned taps from about €150, and there are many fine reproduction varieties.

You might want to think about including a shower in the tap arrangement for your old bath. The classic cradle style can be found old and new, but many soon tire of a viperous hose snaking around the taps when used to a conventional shower with all it’s thermostatic bells and whistles.

Vast copper shower canopies complete with their own cubicles (a Victorian celebration of plumbing), can be elaborate systems that jet water onto every inch of your body from above and the sides. An impressive architectural beast will cost in the range of €7,000 when included with an old bath. Above all, make sure your height fits your bath. French baths tend to be generously proportioned, designed for soaking and relaxing Gallic style if your immersion tank can feed one of these water hungry monsters. A deep, six-foot bath if you have only ever enjoyed a standard 5’6” is luxurious, but might be intimidating for old or very young members of the family so ensure it is fitted with adequate grip rails.