Bath Waste Fittings Explained
Bathroom waste fittings control how water leaves your bath. The bath waste sits in the plughole and holds or releases the water, while the overflow sits higher up the bath and carries water away if a tap is left running. Both connect to the bath trap and waste pipe underneath. Replacing tired or leaking fittings is one of the easiest ways to freshen up a bath without a full refit.
Common Types of Bath Waste
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Click-clack wastes – press the plug to open or close it.
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Pop-up wastes – opened and closed by turning the overflow, so you do not need to reach into the water.
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Plug and chain wastes – a traditional plug on a chain, still popular in classic bathrooms.
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Exposed wastes – visible pipework made for freestanding and roll top baths, where the waste becomes part of the look.
Combined Bath Fillers and Wastes
A bath filler and waste fills the bath through the overflow instead of from a separate spout. It keeps the edge of the bath clear and suits modern, minimal bathrooms. Check the filler's connection size against your water supply before you order.
Waste Pipes and Connections
Baths normally use a 1½" (40mm) waste. If the bath outlet does not line up neatly with the pipework, a flexible waste pipe makes the connection easier, and a universal outlet lets you connect to plastic, copper or lead pipe.
Choosing the Right Fitting
Before you buy, check the size of the waste hole and overflow hole in your bath, the type of bath you have, and whether the pipework will be hidden behind a bath panel or left on show. Freestanding baths with exposed pipework look best when the waste, overflow and trap share the same finish as your taps.
Complete the Bath Installation
Every bath waste needs a trap underneath it to stop drain odours entering the room. Browse our bath traps for shallow seal traps, plastic traps and exposed trap sets for freestanding baths.
Part of our waste and traps range.
