The end of the bathtub: millions of unused bathtubs in French homes

It still sits enthroned in millions of bathrooms. But nobody uses it. This is the finding of Travaux.com: millions of French people haven't taken a single bath in 12 months or more.

According to brand-new data from Travaux.com (research conducted by Opinium for Travaux.com on a panel of 2.000 people), the platform connecting individuals with building professionals, 31% of people with a bathtub haven't used it for twelve months or more. This figure doesn't vary by age or gender, suggesting a widespread trend across the entire population.

The same pattern holds true geographically: the results are consistent across regions. The only exception is the Pays de la Loire, where the proportion drops to 14%. Everywhere else, at least a quarter of residents haven't taken a bath in the past year.

The study also reveals that 34% of French people are no longer satisfied with their bathrooms and would like to renovate them. This figure rises among 35-54 year olds, who appear to be the least satisfied, with 39% of them wanting to modify their bathrooms. One of the reasons is the desire to save money; data from Travaux.com also shows that 81% of respondents say they are mindful of their water consumption.

For Jeremy Dague, plumbing expert at Travaux.com, the logic is simple: an unused bathtub is wasted space. It makes sense to take advantage of that space to install a more spacious and aesthetically pleasing shower. He does, however, highlight several essential points to consider beforehand.

"Drainage is the crucial factor when replacing a bathtub with a shower, especially when installing a walk-in shower tray. The drain pipe runs under the floor, between the joists, and must comply with current regulations. The water supply pipes can also be run down through the ceiling, provided there is enough space in the attic to accommodate them."

It's also essential to ensure the floor is perfectly level to accommodate a shower tray. With a bathtub, the feet can be adjusted. With a shower tray, there's no room for error, and there must be sufficient space to ensure a watertight seal around the enclosure and guarantee complete waterproofing.

While many of us still use our bathtubs, especially families with young children, it seems that for a large majority, showers are now the preferred option. In this case, it might be wise to consider removing the bathtub to create a more functional and spacious room.

Bathtubs are generally large and take up a significant portion of the bathroom. If you don't use it, it's precious wasted space. One point to consider, however, is that if it's your only bathtub, it can make reselling your property more difficult. Families with young children often look for a property with a bathtub, and some will immediately rule out houses without one.

In any case, don't take this lightly. Consult a professional before starting; they can advise you on the bathroom layout and ensure that all technical constraints, such as pipe routing, are taken into account. Otherwise, you risk ending up with a complicated project and a hefty bill!