Cast Iron Bath

[Nathan]

Hi

A small quandary really but any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I have an old cast iron bath(possibly 1930s) which is not in great condition but perfectly usable, though would be best if it was re-enamelled. It has straight legs(to me more attractive than the claw feet) and is not really a classic roll top. Sadly it is not really practical for me to keep, especially as there is no overflow, and I was wondering if it was worth lugging down the stairs in an attempt to sell.

Is this worth doing i.e. would anybody know how much do such baths normally go for? Of course the alternative is to break it up, and I was wondering what is the best approach here?

Sorry there is no photo and thanks for any advice.

Nathan

 

[biffvernon]

Oh don't break it! If you can't be bothered to get it downstairs try Freecycle, with taker removes.

 

[MdB]

Try ebay and if that doesn't work freecycle is a great way of getting rid of junk^h^h^h^hhigh quality no longer required items.

 

[Penners]

Whatever else you do with it, I really wouldn't recommend breaking it up.

When we moved into this house, our first job was to get rid of a large cast-iron bath in the upstairs bathroom. It was cracked in two places and the previous owners had continued to use it, despite the fact that it leaked!

It was far too heavy and unwieldy to get down the winding stairs in one piece, so I set about breaking it up with a sledgehammer.

Despite covering it with an old duvet to deaden the noise, my ears were ringing for days afterwards. The neighbours were also puzzled by the fact that Big Ben could apparently be heard in the village.

 

[Nathan]

The stairs were also my concern, being narrow and very steep. However, the thought of going back to the after effects of my nightclubbing days doesnt appeal at my age as well!

Freecycle does seem a good site, will try that - thanks.

 

[Nemesis]

We have a bath which sounds similar. Its only claim to fame is that a former occupant of this house was elevated to the peerage, so we can say to visitors that their naked butts are lying on posh chipped enamel.

We have had it recoated in situ twice, but it's not very long lasting. If we have it done a third time we could have bought a new bath for the cost.

I can't think anyone will want it and I think we are considering using an angle grinder or something to cut it up for removal down stairs.

 

[Pford75]

I agree that in-situ resurfacing is not great. We had similar experiences with one bath done in-situ.

The second bath (which is enormous and well worth saving)...we decided to have this done properly. We used Drummonds http://www.drummonds-arch.co.uk/resources/3.htm

They claim to be the only company in the world to offer dry frit vitreous enamelling.....this is the absolute business and comes with a 25 yr guarantee. It's a bit more expensive...but if the cast iron bath is an antique....in my opinion worth doing to preserve a wonderful bath

 

[Nemesis]

We have had posts on the old forum from Dawn who had her bath redone with hot vitreous enamelling, in this country not sent abroad,and if I get time I will try to find the link.

 

[Nemesis]

Link:

http://www.periodproperty.co.uk/cgi-bin/discussing/forum2.pl?noframes;read=67902


I know she was delighted with the results.

 

[Pford75]

Drummonds are in Surrey....not abroad///they charged £450 to collect from Norfolk and return the bath

 

[Nemesis]

I know but some used to collect then send abroad! Enamelling used to be carried out in other countries - possibly not the same process. There seem to be variations.


http://www.uniqueenamellingservicesltd.co.uk/



Pity Dawn has stopped posting as she had hers collected and returned too, Gateshead, she could tell us more, I don't recall it being so expensive.

I totally agree where there is an interesting bath it's worth the cash. There is a slight risk with the process though, it has to be borne in mind.

 

[Penners]

I agree that in-situ resurfacing is not great.

I don't see how it could be. Surely the only truly satisfactory repair for a cast iron bath is to have it re-enamelled.

Vitreous enamelling requires the kind of temperatures that are used to make glass, and not even my wife can heat a bathroom to that degree.

 

[Nemesis]

It would be fine for a bath not used often - such as where there is a shower used on a daily basis.

It's not long term but does the job reasonably without having to have the bath removed etc etc.

 

[Penners]

It would be fine for a bath not used often

:x

 

[Nemesis]

Well - a guest bathroom for example! Or a household where mostly people get showered!

Or indeed where they are simply mucky pigs.