Steps to Replace a Clawfoot Bathtub Faucet

When the time comes to replace your clawfoot bathtub faucet, you have many options. According to The Facts On Faucets, an article featured in This Old House, a good idea is to replace the old faucet with one of a similar style. This means, if you have a faucet that mounts to the bathtub wall as opposed to the rim or bathroom wall, that style bathtub faucet should be your first choice.


Another factor to consider when replacing a clawfoot bathtub faucet is the size of the drillings. Drillings are holes drilled into the tub by the manufacturer. The number of drilled holes can vary, as well as the distance between the holes. If the measurement results aren't standard and you have a unique distance between the drillings, you will want to purchase a faucet with adjustable faucet centers. 

Installation instructions are included when you purchase a new clawfoot bathtub faucet. However, enlisting the help of a plumber is recommended on most installations to ensure the product warranty is valid. 

These installation instructions are an example specifically created for a Randolph Morris Wall Mount Tub Faucet Set. Depending on the type of clawfoot tub faucet you choose, the installation instructions will vary. You can view the installation instructions for bathtub faucets purchased from Vintage Tub & Bath online below the Specifications section at the bottom of each product page.


For help choosing the best clawfoot tub faucet for your needs, visit our Tub Faucet Buying Guide.

Why You Should Install A Curved Shower Rod

If you've ever taken a shower and been frustrated because the shower curtain is too close, a curved shower rod may be the solution for you. Curved shower rods extend away from the bathtub allowing for more open space in your bathtub or shower. The crescent rod pictured above allows for 25% more space while the double crescent rod pictured below creates up to 5 feet of extra space.


One customer from Muskegon, Michegan submitted a photo of their double curved shower rod and explained " [they] put towels on the inside rod and [the] shower curtain on the outside of the rod and towels are dry for [the] next use".


Another customer from West Palm Beach, Florida told us that "installation was very easy and the rod [added] extra room at shoulder height".

View curved shower curtain rods and shower curtains.

Clawfoot Tub Foot Coasters

One concern that comes with the purchase of a clawfoot bathtub is how to keep the bathroom floor in good condition. A good option to avoid floor scratches are clawfoot tub foot coasters.

Foot coasters are the "perfect solution to keep [your] tub from scratching tile floors" according to customer Linda K. from Easley, South Carolina. She used them under the clawfoot bathtub in her guest bathroom pictured below.


Another customer, from Ontario, Canada told us about his remodeling project and how the clawfoot bathtub coasters came in handy:

"Reclaiming the tub, left me with such a gem that I wanted to set it apart & elevate it a little bit more, and these coasters were just the ticket. Lifting the tub by about an inch let me showcase the hardware I'd added without making the tub itself inaccessible. The exposed plumbing, prominently visible through the open bathroom door, becomes an accessible, proud and central element of retro styling."

Check out the photo he submitted below.

View clawfoot tub foot coasters, clawfoot bathtubs and replacement clawfoot tub feet.

Kitchen Trends

As before, I've compiled a list of trends I've observed in various current home renovation books and magazines. More specifically, kitchen trends and popular fixtures. 

Randolph Morris Bridge Faucet

• Bridge Faucets - These unique kitchen faucets favor traditional and period styles. Designed with two handles, so it's easier to mix the flow and temperature of the water. These faucets go well with farmhouse, and undermount kitchen sinks.
• Single Hole Faucets - Easy to use and to clean, single hole faucets typically have a minimalist design. These faucets are great when used with undermount kitchen sinks.
• Pot Fillers - These convenient faucets help to reduce strain, increase ones ability to multitask, and minimize the mess in your kitchen. What's not to love?!
• Farmhouse Sinks - Add an artistic touch to your kitchen with an old-fashioned farmhouse sink. These country style sinks are easy to care for, functional, and durable. They're also fairly large, so you can easily wash pots and pans.

You can see these and other popular kitchen trends when you shop online at Vintage Tub & Bath. Let us know what your favorite kitchen or home trend is in the comments below. 

Bathroom Trends

Trying to keep up with bathroom and kitchen trends, I have recently been browsing through a good share of home magazines. Like fashion magazines, these home magazines discuss what’s in style and showcase new designs. Instead of dresses and shoes, the hot topics on the pages of these magazines are things like dishwashers and faucets.

After flipping through magazines like Signature Kitchens and Baths, Bathroom Trends, Kitchen and Bath Planning 2009, and Kitchen and Bath Ideas, I began noticing a pattern. This instance is not only when I realized that I do not have the most up-to-date, trendy kitchen or bathroom, but when I then decided to write about the bathroom and kitchen trends that seemed popular amongst the magazines. Here are my observations of what’s hot in the bathroom world:

• Toilets designed by Japanese company Toto
• Space saving and attractive wall-mounted toilets
• Water saving dual flush toilets
• European-style bidets

• Wall Mounted Faucets
• Above counter vessel sinks
• Corner sinks
• Bathrooms for two people including two shower systems in one enclosure and two sinks within one counter

You can view photos and read more information about each of the trends listed above by clicking on them. Check back soon to see my observations of kitchen trends.

Vintage Advertisements

Advertisements of the past tended to be full of words, instructions, and photos. Over the decades, marketers have performed many tests and much research to appeal to their targeted consumers. As a result, ads are less busy and more visually appealing.

Below are vintage advertisements for various bathroom products. The first ad was released in 1930 for the Si-Wel-Clo quiet toilet. Promoting an innovative, comfortable design, the Si-Wel-Clo was the most quiet toilet of the time.

The 1943 Scot Toilet Tissue advertisement below goes into great detail about an alternate use of the Scot toilet paper. The ad assures consumers that tests have proven Scot toilet tissue to effectively prevents the transference of disease when used as a disposable mask.


This vintage Jonny Mop advertisement from 1954 confidently promises to actually pay consumers to try their product. It also introduces a "modern" way to clean toilets.

Corner Sinks for Small Bathrooms

There are a variety of sink choices for a small bathroom. One particularly good option is a corner sink. Corner sinks are perfect for small or unusually shaped bathrooms because they require very little space. Here are several that our customers recommended.

This Elizabethan’s Classics Corner Sink with a chrome Kohler Faucet, for example, is very small and discreet, yet highly recommended by our customers. "Andrew1000" from Boston, MA describes it as “a perfect size and completely out of the way”. Take a look at the photo he submitted below.

If you're looking for a sink with a more interesting shape, this corner basin sink may be a good choice.  Due to the size and shape, it can be installed “in tight [spaces and allows] doors to open without hitting the sink”, says "DLB1" from Washington, DC.

A good example of a large corner sink is this wall mounted Cheviot. This larger alternative offers more space for hand washing but can still be installed in small spaces. "Czyzyk", a customer from Medford, New Jersey found this corner sink to be “perfect for small spaces and handicapped accessible”

Pot Fillers and Bar Sinks

You may think, why buy a bar sink or pot filler when I already have a sink and faucet in my kitchen? 

Pot fillers are small faucets that extend from the wall or counter. They usually dispense only cold water, but some have the option of hot water or filtered water. Pot fillers are mainly for filling kettles and pots, but also have other uses. Installing a pot or kettle filler can save steps while preparing dinner. Rinsing off vegetables and filling up glasses with drinking water can both be made easier with a pot filler.

Bar sinks are generally smaller than your kitchen sink. They come in different shapes, sizes, and depths. Having a bar sink is ideal for entertaining guests because you can prepare drinks without making a mess. Fill the sink with ice to keep soda, beer, and white wine cold at your next party.

Another name for a bar sink is prep sink. These sinks make food preparation quicker and can also be useful when two people are using the kitchen simultaneously.

Planning Out Your Bathroom

Before beginning a remodeling project, it's important to plan properly to ensure the renovation process goes smoothly. Since you don't want any trouble maneuvering in your bathroom, it's a good idea to follow certain spatial guidelines. If your bathroom is going to be used by people of different ages and sizes, stick with a universal design.

According to Universal Design, you should leave 30 x 48 inches of floor space around each fixture. If for instance, you have a toilet and sink next to each other, the recommended open space can be shared. Meaning you can leave a 30 x 48-inch common space between the two.

When you install your sink, keep in mind, you should leave 30 inches of space in the front of the sink. A wall mounted or console sink will have room underneath and allow 12 inches of the recommended 48 inches of space to begin under the sink.

There should be 30 inches in front of the toilet and at least 16 inches of clear space from the center of the toilet to a wall or any other fixture next to the toilet. If you plan on installing your toilet in a compartment within the bathroom, make sure it is at least 33 inches wide and 66 inches deep. If the compartment will have a door, it should be at least 32 inches wide.

If your shower is less than 60 inches, allow 36 inches of depth. To arrive at the amount of recommended width, add 12 inches to the width of your shower. If your shower is greater than 60 inches, still allow 36 inches deep of clear space, but the width need only be the size of the shower.

New Acrylic Clawfoot Bathtubs

You probably don't get as excited about bathtubs as we do, at Vintage Tub & Bath. However, if you plan to remodel your bathroom in the future and like the look of clawfoot bathtubs, you'll relate to our excitement.

We now exclusively offer a premium line of Randolph Morris Acrylic Bathtubs.

So why should this excite you? Since these acrylic clawfoot tubs are built from high quality, lightweight materials, they don't weigh as much as traditional cast-iron bathtubs. The acrylic tubs are much lighter, resulting in a less stressful transportation and installation process. Another reason to become enthusiastic about these tubs is they're less expensive than other acrylic clawfoot tubs.

Now you can fulfill you can add a beautiful acrylic pedestal tub to your bathroom while saving money and time!

Choosing the Perfect Faucet

There are so many options when it comes to faucets. Hopefully, after reading this blog post you will have a better understanding of the differences between the various types of bathroom faucets.

Widespread
A widespread faucet has two separate handles or knobs; one on the left for hot water and the other on the right for cold. Positioned between the the two controls is the spout. The amount of room between the handles varies from around four to twenty inches apart. Widespread faucets require 3 separate holes in your sink or counter top.


Minispread
Minispread faucets are very similar to widespread faucets, except the controls and spout are positioned much closer together. This type of faucet is a good choice for a small sink because the knobs are set less that four inches apart from the middle spout.


Centerset
A centerset faucet has two levers and a spout in the center which are all positioned on a base. Some centerset faucets have a single lever which contain both hot and cold features.

Single Post
Single Post faucets are probably the least space consuming and the easiest to clean. These faucets only require one hole. These faucets can have one lever or two controlling water temperature, but are always contained on one unit.


Wall Mounted
A wall mounted faucet can be widespread or centerset, and can have one or two handles. These differ from all the aforementioned types of faucets because they are attached to the wall instead of sink or counter top. When purchasing a wall mounted faucet, be sure to pair it with a deep or large sized sink so water doesn't splash out.

Create a Spa Bathroom

Before getting your hands dirty, you'll need to promise yourself that you'll spend more time relaxing – in the bathroom. Whether you plan on gutting the bathroom and starting from scratch or simply want a few changes, here are some tips on how to turn your current bathroom into a relaxing spa. You won’t want to get out of the tub!

1. Upgrade to a whirlpool tub. Having a whirlpool tub is like having a hot tub in your bathroom. We have a large selection of whirlpool freestanding tubs. 
2. Install a vessel or above the counter sink. These sinks can give any bathroom a spa-like feel.
3. Set up a bathroom lighting scheme. Use low-lights, light dimming switches, and candles throughout the room.
4. Paint walls with natural and earthy tones and try to pick out bathroom furniture featuring dark colors and woods.
5. Place speakers throughout the spa room so you can listen to your favorite music while soaking in the tub.

Low Water Pressure Solutions

If you are having a problem with the pressure of your water it may be due to a number of reasons. I learned a few helpful tips from the book Home Wiring and Plumbing. In the book they target different types of problems and provide the solutions through step by step photos and guides. One chapter discusses a common problem: low water pressure.

Faucets and Showerheads

When it comes to your kitchen or bathroom sink faucet, you may want to begin by checking the small screens attached to the faucet. Minerals and rust often collect in these screens and can be cleaned with white vinegar or simply scrubbed with a toothbrush. Be sure to check your kitchen sink faucet sprayer as well because these also contain small screens.

Appliances

If you are having difficulty with the water pressure in your dishwasher or washer, it may be because the water supply has to pass through shutoff valves before it can reach the appliance. To make sure your water pressure is optimal, be sure that all shutoff valves are fully open. Washing machines in particular are designed so that water is pulled through a filter. Be sure to clean the filters so your washing machine can fill quickly.

I also learned from the book that many old homes built before the 1960's are equipped with iron pipes. This means that your low water pressure problem may be due to mineral build-up within the pipes. A better alternative is copper or plastic.

Best Clawfoot Tubs for Small Bathrooms (Part Two)

Whether you are remodeling a powder room, converting a closet space, or just want to add a new clawfoot bathtub to a small bathroom; here are a few product suggestions based on what our customers have been saying.

This Tub Package containing a 54 inch clawfoot tub and faucet with showerhead is ideal for those who want to do more than soak in their bathtub. Julie from Ohio chose this tub set when she “[converted] a 5’ x 8’ closet space in [her] old century home into a small bath”.

You may be reluctant to install a clawfoot tub into a small area because of its weight. An acrylic bathtub is a good alternative to a cast iron one because you can still have the look and feel of a classic Clawfoot Bathtub, but at a much lighter weight. Another customer found this tub “[weighed] next to nothing and was a piece of cake to carry in”. In addition to the ease of transporting, they told us that it is “by far the roomiest small tub [they’ve] seen”.

If you desire more soaking room than a 54 inch tub can offer, this 62 inch clawfoot bathtub is said to “make a small bathroom come alive, and [it] is adorable” by the self-described Happy Clawfoot Tub Owner from Oro Valley Arizona.

Clawfoot Bathtubs for Small Bathrooms

Installing a clawfoot tub may not be the first idea that comes to mind when remodeling a small bathroom. These three customers, however, did just that with great results.

For example, “TXCat” from Bedford, Texas notes: “I now have the bathroom I have always wanted. The tub is perfect! It really made my small bathroom look larger."



Another customer told us that "we love our little clawfoot bathtub. It is the perfect size for a small bathroom and it fits [the] kids great. Even adults can make use of this great quality tub."


Diana H. from Ohio had a remodeling challenge. She was having difficulty “finding a clawfoot tub that would fit into [her] tiny 5”x9” guest bathroom in [their] new house” She found the solution in the form of the Randolph Morris 48” clawfoot tub set. Take a look at how she, in her words, transformed her bathroom “from dated to dazzling - from alarming to charming.” The before is on the left - the stunning after is on the right: