How High Should A Tub Spout Be

The bathtub is where you can relax after a busy day. But to get the most out of your tub, the pipes need to be in the right place. How high should a tub spout be? There may be several factors to consider, so we’ve written this article to help you decide what’s best for your situation. Read on for instructions on faucet locations and answers to other frequently asked questions.

Standard bathtub faucet and spout height

The standard faucet height for bathtub faucets is between 12 and 18 inches above the edge of the bathtub. However, this standard height is only a suggestion. The spout should be placed 4 inches above the tub rim to comply with building codes that require a 2 inch air gap above the tub overflow rim.

Obviously, putting the faucet four feet above the tub is silly and effectively gives you a shower head with no water pressure and a soaked floor. Also, placing a faucet too low can make it harder to use or conflict with building codes.

It is recommended to place the faucet within the standard height of 12 to 18 inches, not only because it is stylish and easy to use, but because it is usually around this height, your faucet can easily connect to your existing water system.

Where should the bathtub faucet be placed?

Your faucet or spout location won’t be entirely up to you, but rather determined by several factors. For example, a freestanding tub gives you the option to place the faucet on either side of the tub, as long as it can be connected to the plumbing. Alcove tubs, on the other hand, are surrounded by walls, forcing you to place the faucet on the far end of the tub so you can easily get in and out of the tub.

Besides the type of tub, another factor that heavily affects faucet placement is the plumbing. If you’re building a house from scratch, you can install plumbing wherever you want your tub and faucet. But for most of us we have to use pre-existing plumbing which will dictate where you can place the faucet.

There are ways to solve these problems, but they are by no means cost-effective. You can buy a new tub to get the desired spout location. You can also move and reinstall piping to suit your placement needs. But that can add a lot of work and money just to put a faucet where you want it. In most cases, you’re better off working around what you already have.

Can I use the sink faucet for the bathtub

You cannot use the sink faucet for the bathtub. Although the two types appear to be interchangeable, they operate differently. The most important difference is that the sink faucet connects to 3/8-inch plumbing, while the tub faucet connects to the 1/2-inch water supply.

A larger pipe on a bathtub faucet means more water can flow out at one time. Therefore, your tub can fill up faster than a sink faucet. Otherwise, the bathtub will be cold before it is filled with water!

What should be the height of the shower control

If your shower is not integrated with the tub, you can place the controls higher, 38 to 48 inches from the floor. This puts them at a comfortable height for the average adult. Get a helper to hold the controls at the estimated height, and see if that’s comfortable before installing them.

Final thoughts on how high should a tub spout be

We hope this article helped you decide how to set up your tub’s plumbing. You should determine the height of your bathtub faucet based on the type of faucet. If the faucet is attached to the spout, make sure the bottom of the spout is two inches above the edge of the tub. On the other hand, faucet controls that are separate from the outlet should be between 12 and 18 inches above the edge of the tub.