PLUMBING FIXTURES Bathtubs. Bathtubs are a prime factor in plumbing. They are of various types :— (1) Wooden cases, with sheet-metal lining, usually copper, on the order shown in Fig. 1; (2) all copper, and steel-clad, suitably mounted, as shown in Fig. 2; (3) cast iron, enameled, with a vitreous glaze fused on the iron, as in Figs. 4 and 5; (4) solid porce lain, potter's clay properly fired, with vitreous glaze fired on, as in Fig. 3; and (5) marble, variegated or otherwise, cut from the solid block. Their cost ranges in the order mentioned.
The relative merit of the different materials and types is not so easily designated. Porcelain and marble baths are large, very heavy, and imposing-looking; and therefore are often selected on the score of massiveness, with a view to harmonizing with the dimensions and finish of the house. One would suppose the mass of material in such baths would have the effect of cooling the water to an annoying extent; but careful tests have revealed no appreciable difference in the effect of thin as compared with thick bathtubs on the warmth of water, and but little in their pleasantness of touch to the person. The bath of most pleasant touch was that of indurated wood fiber, which, how ever, had but little commercial success, on account of its lack of stability.
Most baths are made in from two to five regular sizes, ranging from 4 to 6 feet in extreme length. The general shapes are the French (Fig. 3); the Modified French (Fig. 4); and the Roman (Fig. 5). The various French patterns have the waste and supply fittings at the foot, which is modified in form to accommodate them. The waste water travels the length of the tub to reach the outlet, and generally leaves scum and sediment on the interior while emptying. Baths of the French type are suited to corner positions, or to positions in which one side runs along the wall; but the ideal position for a bathtub, in the interest of cleanliness, is with the foot end to the wall, thus permitting entrance from either side. A medium size is best
suited to the usual provision for supplying hot water for bath pur poses; and is also preferred by many because the feet reach the foot, enabling a person, when submerging the body, to keep his head out of water, with his shoulder resting on the slant at the head of the tub. Where the house supply is pumped by hand, the medium size of any kind of bath is advisable.
The rims of baths vary from 1 to 5 inches in width. The larger rims are easy on the person in getting in and out of the bath, and are often used in lieu of a bath seat. In iron baths with rims large enough, the fittings are generally passed through the rim, as illus trated in Fig. 6, thus giving them additional stability and making the stated fixture length include the whole space necessary for its installation. This style of bath fitting is shown in Fig. 7.
Nominal sizes of baths now include the whole length of the fix ture proper. Formerly many awkward mistakes resulted from lack of uniformity, one not always knowing whether to consider the nominal size as inside measurement only or including twice the rim width. In cast tubs, actual measures vary slightly from the nominal, because of the furnace effect when heating to enamel. The variation, however, is not sufficient to be considered in noting the space required, or to require any advance in roughing-in measurements.
Roman baths have ends alike, with the fittings at the center of one side, as illustrated in Fig. 8, and the waste outlet at the center of width and length. In general, they empty with better effect, and may be placed in either right or left corner or free of all the walls; but the best position, everything considered, is with the fitting side near the wall, and not against either end of the room.
Any finish for iron bathtubs, other than plain paint, should be put on at the factory; iron surfaces cannot be ground and the suc cessive coats of paint dried on in place, properly or cheaply.