ricability logo

 

Bath boards and seats (1999) (view report contents)

Fitting and using a bath board or seat

Most boards and seats can be fitted on to most baths. See below for details.

Boards

  • the rim of the bath needs to be at least 2.5cm wide on each side so that the board has enough support. Some boards need wider rims.
  • If the bath is very high, a small step next to it may make getting on to the board easier. Make sure the step is firmly fixed and is not slippery
  • The board should not be too long. It must not stick over the side of the bath by more than, say, 10-12 cm (4-5 inches), as there is a chance that it could tip like a seesaw if you sit on the end
  • The height of the boards varied a little. Some people in the test preferred higher boards, because it meant less bending, although this increased the drop to the seat
  • It may be difficult to fit a board in a very unusually shaped bath. Some boards can be used only in baths with straight sides.

Fitting a bath board

The board should be fitted at the end of the bath opposite the taps because taps can get in the way when you are using the board. The bath needs to be scrubbed clean so that there is not grease or soap which could make the fastenings less secure.

The boards are fixed to the bath by brackets or legs. These are adjustable – you slide them until they are wedged against the side of the bath, and then tighten them so they hold the board firmly in place. It’s easier to adjust the fixing furthest away from you first.

Always check the board is secure before using it.

Bath seats

  • The seat needs to be near enough to the board to make getting on and off it easy. A high seat may be easier to get on to in a deep bath. Bear in mind that if you bathe while sitting on the seat, a higher seat will mean you are sitting in less water.
  • Some acrylic (a type of plastic) baths may not be strong enough for some seats
  • It may be difficult to fit a seat in a very unusually shaped bath

Fitting a bath seat

If you are using a bath board and seat together, fit the board first. Place the seat in front of the board so that the back of the seat is in line with the front of the board, so that you can move from one to the other without too much of a stretch. Seats are fixed to the bath in different ways.

Suckers hold the seat in place by suction. You just put the seat where you want it, and then push it down so that the suckers can hold it into place. Do this when the bath is dry, or else they will not stick. They may not work in narrow baths with very sloped surfaces. Some suckers need something of a tug to remove.

Paddles look like wide legs. They wedge against the side of the bath. You adjust them so that they fit the shape of the bath and then tighten the fixing. Some plastic baths may be too weak to take the pressure – check with the bath’s manufacturer. If you are in any doubt, avoid this type of seat.

Hanging seats just hook over the side of the bath – the rim needs to be wide enough so support them –normally it needs to be about 3.5cm wide on each side.

 

Back to top


Report contents

 

Report contents

Introduction
Things to look for
Buying guide
Fitting and using a bath board or seat
Getting a board or seat
Help with money
Useful addresses
Checklist
Credits

Boards

Seats