In our Design it Out series, installers offer their expertise to designers, enabling hem to create plans which provide more efficient fits.

Owner of Albert Williams and former president of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) Paul Williams says designers should check the load bearing capability of the floor.

Owner of Albert Williams Paul Williams

When designers specify freestanding baths, particularly cast iron models, they shouldn’t forget to check the load bearing capability of the floor.

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If you think about it, the bath tub will be full of water and every litre of water weighs 1 kg.

So if you have 50 litres in the bath, it’s an additional 50 kg to the weight of the bath and that’s without the additional weight of a person in there.

Sometimes, when it’s a tiled floor, it’s hard to take a look beneath the bath and find out about the flooring.

But it can be something designers don’t even consider – what’s underneath the surfacing and the quality of the floorboards?

There will always be unforeseen things a designer and installer can’t really predict until they are working on site.

But there is a way of checking the floor depth. Years of experience have taught me a trick.

As you walk up the stairs look at the top step. If you look at the distance between the ceiling below and the top of the stair, that will give you an indication of the depth of the floor.

If it’s shallow, you’ve then got to start considering what the floor is made from and whether it will carry the weight.

You also have to be aware of the floor movement when specifying showering or tiling.

If there is floor movement or a shallow exit to the showering area, you may have to advise the consumer they need an enclosure with a door to ensure a watertight space.

Also, check the springiness of the floor. If it’s bouncy or springy, would you recommend putting tiles down?

The answer should be ‘no’ because they would crack as there is give in the floor.

First, you may have to do major work, such as take the floorboards up and add extra support.

Read Paul William’s view on how designers should create bathrooms for consumers not to meet sales targets.