Fitting a bath waste trap is a fiddly job that usually requires you to replace the entire bath waste assembly. To do this, follow our above step-by-step guide or call in a professional. How do you fit a bath waste? More often used in free standing bathtubs, an invisible overflow removes the need for a classic overflow, and instead utilises a tastefully hidden mechanism. At once elegant and minimal, they are a popular choice for period and traditional bathrooms. Exposed Bath Pop Up Each of these waste kits* are available in two different versions Exposed and Concealed, read on... Take your drain fitting and thread it through the tailpiece of the drain arm, which you will then be able to tighten with your wrench. Your helper will need to hold the drain arm in place. Bath wastes come in various makes, models and sizes, depending on the type of bath design you have. Our guide takes you through replacing a simple design that you can adapt for all types of bath waste components. Should you use silicone when fitting a bath waste?

Using a silicone sealant is advised when fitting a pop-up bath waste to avoid overtightening it and hindering the pop-up feature. Does a bath waste need a trap? Once the current drain fittings are removed, unscrew the cover plate that sits on the inside of the top of your tub (the bit where excess water flows through). This should easily come away with a little elbow grease. The most popular bath waste is the pop up. To close the plug simply turn the overflow, and repeat the process to open and drain your bath. This is particularly good as your hands stay dry. Bath Plug and Waste Looking for a sleek way to complete your roll top bath? This Traditional Luxury Exposed Free Standing Bath Drainage Kit is just the thing. The bath drainage kit makes a statement of your tub's piping with a look that nods to the traditional style of classic freestanding baths. Its timeless cylindrical body and chrome finish mean it's easy to pair it with other fixtures in your space. Whatever the size of your tub, this roll top bath waste will fit to suit its length – simply cut the fixture to the size you require before you install. Are you using a monobloc tap (one which if on the edge of the bath would need only one hole)? - Use a mono standpipeIn general the standpipes should be at least as high as the point on the bath over which the taps must reach, after this a higher tap will look more imposing so if you want to show off the taps you might opt for the higher standpipe.

Top tip: Make sure your replacement bath waste fittings closely match your existing ones. How to fit a bath pop up waste and overflow The first thing you need to do is get access to your existing tub. This job is much easier for baths you haven’t yet installed. So, depending on the type of tub and fittings you have, this will either be a simple or difficult step. For example, freestanding tubs or those with slip fittings will make your life easier.

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For some contemporary style baths the overflow pipe goes between the inner and outer 'skins' of the bath and so cannot be seen in any installation, in these cases use a concealed waste kit. Otherwise, for a double ended bath (one where the overflow is in the middle, lengthwise, rather than at one end) if the bath is against a wall and in an alcove so that it is not possible to get around either end of the bath and see down between the bath and the wall to where the overflow pipe is then you can probably use a concealed waste kit, otherwise you should use an exposed one.

Does your tap have a hand held shower attached but with no integral hook to rest it on? - Use minimalist standpipes Now it’s time to prepare your bath for its new waste and overflow components. At this point, it’s worth test-fitting the items and cutting the kit to size if it doesn’t fit perfectly. It’s best to do this before securing everything in place and realising you have to remove or redo it. Do you need an exposed waste kit (see above)? Yes - Use Adjustable Pipe Shrouds to cover the water feeds. Note: Slip fittings make this step infinitely easier as you only need to tighten everything to secure it together. How to fit a flexible bath waste pipe Is you tap a traditional one either with no hand held shower or with one that rests over the top of the tap on a 'telephone style' rest? - Use 660mm or 700mm standpipes (see below**)Bath Waste Kit (with overflow pipe) - this is all the fittings you see inside the bath as well as the overflow pipe. The fittings inside the bath consist of the plug & chain or popup & control as well as the overflow grill. The overflow pipe is on the outside of the bath, it carries water that goes through the overflow down and then under the bath where it joins up with the pipe that comes down from where the plug hole is. The different kinds of waste are described in more detail below. This is a combined unit of a Waste Kit and a Bath Filler. Providing your bath with an even more modern look, these Integrated Bath Filler Waste Kits give you a side-fill function that removes the need for a traditional spout or bath filler. Instead, a (usually chrome) overflow unit doubles up as both bath filler and overflow - a clean, sharp look that is great for contemporary bathrooms. Invisible Overflow and Waste Depending on the complexity of the components, what access you have to your bath, and the type of bath waste you’re installing, you can either follow our step-by-step guide or hire one of our plumbing experts to help you. Are bath wastes a standard size? Are you having taps mounted on the edge of the bath (with tap holes drilled in the edge of the bath) and an exposed waste kit? Yes - Goto 2; No - Goto 3. If you need an exposed waste kit (see above) and your bath has feet or stands on a cradle or plinth then you will probably need this, otherwise use plastic equivalents supplied by your plumber.