Heighten Your Bathroom With Customizable External Tower Drains
Installing a new bathtub drain might not seem like an exciting home improvement project, but upgrading to an external tower drain can make bath time much more enjoyable. External tower drains are specially designed for use with clawfoot and other freestanding bathtubs. With their vertical tower design and handy pop-up drain control, external tower drains offer a unique set of benefits to enhance your bathing experience.
We'll look at what makes them different, their key features and advantages, tips for choosing the right height, installation considerations, and answers to frequently asked questions. If you're looking to replace an old or leaky clawfoot tub drain, read on to learn why a customizable external tower drain could be the perfect solution.
When To Choose An External Tower Drain
External tower drains are specially designed for use with clawfoot tubs and other freestanding bathtubs. The main advantage of this style of drain is that it allows you to fill and drain the tub without having to reach down into the water. If you've ever struggled with trying to open and close an outdated plunger-style drain from inside your clawfoot tub, you'll understand why this is such a valuable benefit.
The other scenario when an external tower drain is recommended is when you need to replace an existing bathtub drain. Over time, the drains on older tubs can become leaky or corroded. Installing a new external tower drain is often easier than replacing an out-of-date drain located underneath the tub. The external tower design also allows for more height adjustability to accommodate your specific tub.
How External Tower Drains Work
External tower drains get their name from their tall, narrow tower design. Rather than the drain pipe being located underneath the tub, it is assembled vertically in a tower that rises above the bottom of the tub.
Key components like the drain pipe, overflow hole, and control knob or lever are all built into this tower. This allows the drain to be operated from above the water line rather than having to reach down into the tub. The pipe connects to the standard plumbing drain outlet on the wall or floor.
The drain stopper is controlled by a popup mechanism connected to a knob or lever on the side of the tower. Turning the knob raises and lowers the stopper to let water flow down the drain. Once finished, the tub can be easily refilled again.
Key Features and Benefits
Easy Height Adjustability
One of the key advantages of external tower drains is that they allow extensive height adjustment. Rather than being fixed in place, the tower can be positioned at different heights to best suit your bathtub and bathroom.
Most models offer up to 26 inches of height adjustment, measured from the floor to the center of the overflow hole. This allows the drain position to be customized to match your exact tub model and work with your existing bathroom floor and ceiling height.
Durable Brass Construction
For longevity, external tower drains are made of solid brass rather than plastic components which can crack over time. The all-brass construction makes them very durable and able to withstand daily use.
You also have a choice of different finishes. Most commonly available are chrome or nickel, but oil-rubbed bronze and other finishes are also options. This allows you to match your existing bathroom decor and hardware.
Fits Most Clawfoot Tubs
External tower drains are designed to fit most cast iron or acrylic clawfoot bathtubs. However, they are not compatible with certain antique tub designs, like Swedish copper clawfoot tubs or vintage square acrylic models. Always check dimensions and specifications before purchasing to ensure a proper fit.
Pop-Up Drain Mechanism
The popup drain mechanism is a defining feature of an external tower tub drain. Just turn the knob or lever on the side of the tower to easily raise and lower the drain stopper.
This allows you to fill or drain the tub without having to reach into the water or come into contact with a dirty drain cover. For convenience and cleanliness, the popup mechanism can't be beaten.
Choosing the Right Height
One of the biggest advantages of external tower drains is their adjustable height capability. But how do you determine the optimal height for your specific bathtub and bathroom?
Start by measuring the height of your bathtub rim above the floor. Then consider the overall height of your bathroom ceiling. The drain should be high enough to allow sufficient clearance above the tub when filled, but not so high that it bumps up against the ceiling.
The ideal height allows you to access the control knob without stretching or straining. You want to be able to comfortably reach the popup lever while standing next to the tub. Don't position it so high that turning it on and off becomes a struggle.
Getting the height adjusted correctly during initial installation is key. Thankfully, the wide range of height adjustment offered by most external tower drains provides plenty of flexibility to get it just right.
Installation Tips and Advice
While the height-adjustable design provides a lot of flexibility, there are some important factors to keep in mind for installation.
Firstly, access underneath the floor is required in order to connect the drain pipework. For clawfoot tubs, this usually means installing the drain through an access panel in the floor.
If you don't have much plumbing experience, hiring a professional is advisable to ensure proper installation and function. Correctly connecting the drain system is critical.
The key steps include attaching the drain assembly to the tub, setting the desired height, and connecting to the waste outlet pipework. Getting the height fine-tuned at this stage is also very important.
While the overall process is relatively straightforward, some technical skill and plumbing knowledge is recommended. Taking the time to get set up correctly will pay off with years of service from your new drain.
FAQs About External Tower Drains
What Style of Tubs Do They Fit?
External tower drains are designed specifically for use with clawfoot tubs. They fit most cast iron or acrylic freestanding tubs. However, they are not usually compatible with vintage copper or square acrylic clawfoot tubs.
How Difficult Is Installation?
The installation process itself is relatively straightforward but does require access underneath the floor to connect the plumbing. Some technical skill is recommended, and first-timers may want to hire a professional plumber.
How Durable Is the Construction?
The all-brass components used are very durable and will last for years of daily use. Chrome and nickel finishes stay beautiful with proper cleaning.
Can the Height Be Adjusted After Installing?
It is possible to tweak the height slightly after initial installation if needed. But getting it positioned correctly during the original installation process is recommended.
Upgrading to an external tower bathtub drain is a great way to enhance your enjoyment of a relaxing soak. The convenience of the popup drain mechanism and the ability to completely customize the drain height to your tub makes them an excellent choice.
Fixing a leaky or corroded old drain on a vintage clawfoot tub can also be much easier with a new external tower drain. Few projects offer such an impactful bathing experience upgrade with just a simple drain replacement.
While a little plumbing expertise is advised for first-time DIY installation, once in place, these drains should provide many years of reliable service. For clawfoot tub owners wanting to heighten their bathing experience, an investment in an external tower drain could be very worthwhile.