We recently installed a shower bath and it is leaking from the silicon seal where the bath meets the wall. A plumber recently visited us and told us that when the bath was originally installed it should have been sunk into the wall- he suggested that this was required by building regs and inorder to remove the risk of leakage he must remove a section of tiles and sink it into the wall. He is proposing work that will cost close to £1000- is this work needed and is simply using silicon to seal the bath a viable solution. Do building regs require you to install a bath in the manor detailed above.

All advice greatly appreciated

is this work needed and is simply using silicon to seal the bath a viable solution. Do building regs require you to install a bath in the manor detailed above.
Before I tore up my walls I would certainly attempt to repair the leak with silicon Jell. I don't know what the regs are over there but here we build the backerboard and tile down over the lip of the tub. Good luck, Tom

Hey Chimera:

What kind of tub is this.. cast iron.. fiberglass.. Acrylic.. Americast..

Many units secure to the studs... some secure to studs via clips... cast iron tubs generally sit on a ledger strip across the back wall... but never heard of sinking tub into wall as a building regulation.

However, your plumber does have the advantage of being there in person... so, may be that in your area it is somehow a requirement..?

Anyway, what does the tile job look like.. Any bellies..

Answer my questions... see what we come up with as a group here at AMHD.. ok?

Talk soon... Mark