Grooming Room: Dog Bath Question
almost a year and a half ago we bought our new home. Within a month, I bought a new dog bath! Our downstairs has been undergoing renovations, and only this past week was the bath finally installed. It should have been a momentous day, and I sure was excited. But I think they may have botched the job, and I want your feedback and opinions, please. Maybe I'm being a brat. Maybe it doesn't matter. But maybe it does. The bath was supposed to fit into the corner of the room. The walls were put up and the pipes and drainage done specifically for this purpose. Also if the dog bath fit into the corner, flush against the wall, it would leave our washer and dryer hook ups accessible. But they bath is sitting maybe 12 inches from the wall it is supposed to be flush against, and it half covers the access to the washer and dryer hook ups. The plumber put the drain pipe too low or too high, and needed that space to have a connecting pipe fit properly with the bath. Of course, the bath has been down there the whole time, and he could have, oh I don't know.... MEASURED the height of it so that it fit perfectly. So right now I have to ask; do I insist they re-do it? Am I being stupid and petty? Is there merit to having the bath flush against the wall like I wanted it to be? Is there a good reason to want that extra space there instead? Right now they have offered to move he washer and dryer hook up, leaving the dog bath where it is. Adam pointed out that the hot and cold water lines to the bath have shut offs that we need to be able to access, but I pointed out that they can set that up similarly to the washer and dryer hook up; inset into the wall below or the the side of the bath. This is frustrating for me. I've waited a year and a half to get this bath installed, and they (to my mind) got it wrong. Am I being too nit-picky? I'll post photos as soon as they are approved. ~Allison |
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| If it was their faulty measuring that caused the issue, I'd definitely ask them to do it as you asked. I can understand it a little more if, because of the hookups, they HAD to modify it but if it was just a mistake and it's important to you, I don't think it's wrong for you to want to settle for it as is. |
| Anyone else with a dog bath or grooming room want to chime in with their opinion? Is it better for the bath to be snug against the wall as I had originally wanted it, or is having some space more desirable? I want to make sure I'm asking for the right thing before I make them re-do it! |
| I know I'd be upset too especially after all that time and your knowing what you wanted. If it couldn't be done that way why didn't they say something before just going ahead. |
| My dog bath is snug into the corner of the room and is fine to use that way when bathing the dogs. I think its more important that you can access the 'end' of the grooming area than the bath so you can move around the dog easier to get to both ends when grooming and drying but for bathing, I don't think thats important so if it would look more asthetically pleasing to have it in the corner I would get them to move it as you wanted! This was our bath before the tiling was finished if that helps?  |
| I just looked at the pics-- is the issue that it's away from the wall on the right side or is it in the back where we don't see? If it's on the right, I think I'd prefer it that way so you have elbow room and can move to the front or the back of the dog. I think if it's tight to the wall, you're going to whack your elbows a lot. Well, let me rephrase that, I know I would! |
| here are the photos: Front view; you can see on the right side where it is not up against the wall:  this is the left side, where it partially blocks access to the washer hook up:  this is the right side, where you can see the shut off for the Dog bath:  |
| The whole set up looks wrong (as far as the plumbing). Seems as though the plumber took the easy way out. Those pipes on the right side of the tub, should contained in the wall, and the shut offs should be above the the tub, for easy access. Then the tub could be butt right up against the wall. I don't understand why in the second picture the hoses for the washing machine are not contained in a plastic 'vent' ? The hoses should not just pop out of unfinished drywall. Also I'd be concerned that the water hoses are so close to the electricity...not sure of your State's Builder's Code. I would be pretty upset if I were you. I do construction work and some of folks I have worked with do what suits them, not the homeowner, drives me crazy. If I were in this situation, I would get another plumber in just to 'inspect', they can help you sound educated when you recall your plumber and request the work be done. It always helps to know the lingo when speaking to tradesmen! I'd have the plumber come back and do the work again. In the end you will be happy and the area will stay so much cleaner. I do like the colour you have chosen, bright & cheery. You are not being too fussy, remember you paid for a service, get what you want & what is safe. good luck peg |
pegspup wrote: The whole set up looks wrong (as far as the plumbing). Seems as though the plumber took the easy way out. Those pipes on the right side of the tub, should contained in the wall, and the shut offs should be above the the tub, for easy access. Then the tub could be butt right up against the wall. My thoughts exactly. I have a European style laundry (laundry in a cupboard space   ) The plumbing is in the wall and the shut offs are up high enough that they sit up above the washer so that if I can reach them without moving the washer and dryer. |
| Allison you have every right to be annoyed at the installation of the bath, just does not look right and I would want it flushed up against the wall. Stand your ground you are not being picky or finicky just sensible and really they should re-do it and leave the dryer etc alone and install the bath properly with all the plumbing etc neat and tidy with as pegspup wrote the shut offs above the tub for easy access Personally I would not pay the tradesman that did the installation till it is done properly and corrected as per your instructions. It really is a botchy job  |
| PS Allison no matter what the outcome. I love the raised tub and it will still be great for bathing the girls and saving your back. I would dearly love to have one like that! |
| Allison, I really don't like the installation that has been done for you. It does not look like a quality installation and it certainly doesn't meet your stated requirements. You are entirely correct in standing your ground and insisting it meet your original plan in a good "workmanlike" standard. In my not so humble opinion I think that the tub needs to be totally nested into the corner so there is no space whatsoever between the right end of the tub and the right hand wall nor between the back of the tub and the wall behind it. Any space there will get wet when your Bobtails shake and when you miss the dog with the sprayer and end up getting the walls drenched (I guarantee it wll happen more than once per bath - the voice of experience is a loud and forceful companion). As it is, you cannot prevent the water from getting there nor do you have enough room to adequately clean and dry the wall. This WILL eventually lead to mould growth that could end up risking the health of everyone in your family. I strongly recommend that you have the tub installed in accordance with your original plan. If you decide to leave some space between the right side of the tub and the right hand wall make sure you have plenty of room to easily reach in and wash/dry the wall after bathing is complete. Also I don't see any evidence of a waterproof wall covering surrounding your tub, either tiles or a sheet product. If it is there and I just don't see it then great (perhaps a painted membrane product), if not I recommend you install something to help protect the drywall from the moisture after the tub is disconnected and before it is properly re-installed. Then when the tub is properly installed a bead of caulking along the back and sides which ajoin the walls would direct any overspray and shaken water back into the tub when it drips down the wall further protecting the walls from moisture damage and eventual mould growth. As already noted by others the shut-off/control valves need to be above the tub rim so you have easy and convenient access to them. Also this would correct the positioning of the hoses on the right side allowing the tub to be installed flush against the wall. I also strongly agree with prior observations that the washer plumbing interface is missing. These are readily and inexpensively available at any Lowes, Home Depot or similar home hardware store and combines the hot and cold water valves along with the washer discharge drain - make sure this drain has a "p-trap" on it and is properly "vented" to prevent sewer gases from getting into your home. These shut-off valves are critical to protect your home from flooding and they must be readily accessible. If the dog tub interferes with your access to them in any way you should have this interference removed by either moving the tub to your originally planned position or move the shut-off valves to the left entirely clearing the tub. Your local building inspector is your friend in this regard - while they can be a pain in the behind to the tradesman or home renovator who think they know better home inspectors are actually out to protect your interests. Call them in if you have any concerns and from what I see here you have reason for concern. I don't know the level of your DIY skills and hence if you can do any of this yourself. I know paying a tradesman is expensive and to repay is even more galling but if you cannot do these things yourself it will ultimately be worth getting a better plumber to do it over for your safety and protection of the home. I'm sorry that your anticipation and expected joys have been dashed. I know how great accomplishing something like this is - I was exceptionally pleased when I finally got my raised tub finished in spring 2009. I would hate to imagine the disappointmentif it had not worked perfectly from day one. Good luck in dealing with this guy or an alternative plumber. As ever if you have further questions don't hesitate to ask, either in open forum or by PM. Thanks and Cheers Carl |
| From a regular lay man's pint of view, I think the room looks great! Is the space between the tub, etc so you have accenss to the knowbs to shut the water off in case of emergency? what do I know...BUT, if you are unhappy with it, you should strongly voice your opinion and not pay the balance until its corrected. You are the one with the $$$$ paying for a service. The plumber should do what you want as long as its up to the plumbing specs for your area. But the room looks great! |
| We met with the builders today. Its impossible to break through the drywall on that right side now, without having to do it on the nearly finished bathroom on the other side of the wall too. But we came to a pretty good compromise. They are going to build sort of a drywall box between the tub and the wall, to contain the pipes. It will create a ledge that I can keep my shampoo bottles on! The shut offs will be moved above it. AND we will either paint with a water-proof paint (like one uses in bathrooms) or we talked about the options of ceramic tiling or using linoleum. I think tile is a bit of a waste of money; too nice for a utility room/ dog wash. What you don't see off camera is the exposed water heater and HVAC system. All decidedly NOT attractive stuff. So maybe some inexpensive Lino flooring on the walls, and some cut for the top of the dry wall ledge. And they assured me that the electric outlet and water for the washer are to code, but are moving it anyway. They said that before the place would burn down, the breaker would be triggered. But I still don't even want to have to worry about it. We talked about it this morning, and this evening the outlet is already moved!  |
 Good news and I do love your doggie bath wish I had one like that I drag mine upstairs and put them in the kids human bath with an anti-slip mat and extended hose spray nozzle attached to the tap, after I sterilise the bath  Shhhh dont tell the boys there bath is used for doggies  I would also absolutely love a raised one to wash dogs, WAY so much easier on the back!! |
| That's good news Alison! It will look neater, work better and the ledge for shampoo will come in handy. |
lisaoes wrote: :clappurple: Good news and I do love your doggie bath wish I had one like that I drag mine upstairs and put them in the kids human bath with an anti-slip mat and extended hose spray nozzle attached to the tap, after I sterilise the bath Shhhh dont tell the boys there bath is used for doggies I would also absolutely love a raised one to wash dogs, WAY so much easier on the back!! Oh I know what thats like! I've been using our home shower for our dogs too. No hand held shower head though; just a bucket to try and rinse all the shampoo out. Takes forever! |
| So happy for you! When all is done I'd love to see it...maybe with a pup in the tub! I do not have a doggy bath, so I am quite envious. peg |
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