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Do you know how to make an existing bathtub deeper? If you don’t, then I will explain how to do so in this helpful guide! Alternatively, you can get yourself the deepest soaking tubs or deepest freestanding tubs available today.
It’s hard to argue with the effect of a cooling and relaxing bath. If you have had a long and tiring day, being in the bathtub is one of the best ways to get rid of all your stress. It’s the ultimate way to rejuvenate.
However, the harsh truth is that most bathtubs are simply not as deep as most people would like. This is particularly the problem with houses that have relatively low overflow drains.
Many people also look for different ways to increase the depth of their bathtub. In this article, we will provide five different tips to help you deepen the bathtub a bit. Here are five solutions to make things better.
How To Make An Existing Bathtub Deeper
- Use the Deep Water Bath by Better Bath
The Deep Water Bath is one of the most popular products. It was created by Better Bath for increasing the depth of the bathwater. It’s a tiny gadget that simply covers the drain cover with a thick layer of plastic.
The suction cups attach directly to the overflow drain, allowing you to add several inches of bath water to your tub. It’s an ideal choice for people who have overflow drains that are on a relatively lower level.
The best part is that this tiny little contraption is incredibly easy to remove or fit whenever you want. It doesn’t require a whole lot of tinkering, and it easily increases the depth of the bathtub by a few inches.
For people who have bathtubs with a low overflow drain, it’s going to easily increase the depth by a couple of inches or more.
- Use the Sugru Moldable Glue
Moldable glue options such as the Sugru are a great choice. The best thing about Sugru is that it is waterproof and is incredibly easy to use. It easily holds for a long period of time.
Mold the putty properly and put it in the overflow drain. Don’t fill up the drain just yet; you need to give it at least a full 24 hours to let the putty dry out.
Once it fits in properly and settles in, this thing is going to act as a drain blocker. Sugru is available in a plethora of different colors, so it’s a great way to add some funk to your bathtub as well.
If you want, you can also use multiple colors and create a unique pattern. As you can imagine, this is a slightly more permanent solution.
Getting rid of the moldable glue is not going to be easy; it’s going to require the use of special materials. Therefore, you should only use Sugru if you are sure that you won’t need to use the overflow drain anytime soon.
- Install a Drain Cover Plate
Another option available to you is to install a drain cover plate. Permanent drain cover plates are generally an elegant solution and will seamlessly slot on your bathtub.
They are readily available from almost every other hardware store, and they are relatively inexpensive as well. You will have to use a few tools to fix the plate in place, so you can’t just pry it off with your fingers.
You will have to remove the plate carefully using the same tools so as not to damage the bathtub. Just make sure that you carefully observe the water level when it’s filling up because your overflow drain is going to be permanently blocked.
The biggest difficulty that most people face when buying a drain cover plate is finding the right size. Most covers generally come with all of the things that you need to install it in place, but it’s best to measure the size carefully before you make a purchase.
This is going to save you from quite a bit of trouble when taking trips down to the hardware store.
- Using a Caulk Strip
Caulk strips are incredibly versatile and you can easily use them for covering the waterflow drain. The best part about using caulk strips is that they can be molded into any shape you like, and they are also completely waterproof.
Caulk strips are a great option and will cover your overflow drain easily. The caulk strip will create a watertight seal, but they are generally much easier to remove as compared to other options such as moldable glue, for instance.
If you do not want to permanently plug up your overflow drain, it should be a wise choice. It’s generally recommended that you choose caulk strips because they are so efficient and also affordable.
If you live in a rental, this is a great way to plug the overflow drain without much of a hassle.
- Deepest Soaking Tubs (Deepest Freestanding Tubs)
This might be a slightly more radical option, but if you feel that your current bathtub simply doesn’t fulfill your needs, getting a new one is a great idea.
If you’re looking for a deep bathtub, you can get some of the deepest soaking tubs or freestanding tubs from a few companies around the world.
New bathtubs are readily available from a number of different companies, and the prices start from a few hundred dollars and can go into the thousands depending on the material you choose and the style of bathtub you prefer.
There are even portable bathtubs available in the market that you can place in your bathroom. This way, you don’t have to worry about removing or replacing an older bathtub. Just place the bathtub and fill it with water, and you are good to go.
There are tubs with a cover on top as well. This helps keep the heat in and allows you to relax in the water after a tiring day at work. Once you are done, you can just dissemble the bathtub and keep it in storage.
Can You Use A Bathtub Depth or Height Extender?
While it may seem like an interesting idea to make a few modifications to your bathtub, you should know that it’s generally not such a good thing to do. First of all, bathtubs are made to exact measurements and are designed to prevent water leakages.
Making modifications to the tub is a bad idea, as that could lead to a leakage and cause even more damage. The leakage might get stuck underneath, and this could cause mold growth in the water as well.
Where Does the Tub Overflow Connect to?
The overflow drain usually connects to the main drain pipe. A separate pipe in the overflow drain runs through, connecting to the main line.
The drain simply comes into play when excess water fills up in the tub. All of the excess water is removed from the bathtub, thus preventing the tub from overfilling and eventually spilling out on the floor.
This could lead to serious water damage, especially if you have wooden floors in your bathroom. Too many people don’t bother to check on the water when it’s filling up.
You don’t want to come back after a while only to see water sloshing around in the bathtub. The average bathtub has a depth of around 12 inches.
However, if you want the soaking feeling, it should be around 14 inches deep. By adding an overflow drain, you can easily increase the depth by up to two or three inches, which is ideal and just what you need!

Hello, my name is David Zal and I’m a plumber with more than 20 years of experience based in Englewood (Florida). I like to teach normal people how to make easy fixes in their homes. I believe that a lot can be achieved just with DYI and that’s why I started this blog.