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The Scary Side Effect of Clawfoot Tubs—and How to Prevent It

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There’s no denying the elegance of a clawfoot bathtub—which is why many of us have chosen to station this old-fashioned appliance, over more practical types, in our bathrooms. But little do most people know that this beloved tub style can have detrimental effects on your home. Speaking to PopSugar, HGTV’s Property Brothers star Drew Scott and his brother Jonathan revealed the major pitfalls of owning a clawfoot tub, while also sharing ways in which you can avoid its negative side effects.

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In detailing its downfalls, Jonathan said, “[A clawfoot tub] doesn’t butt up against the wall, so you get a lot of spillage. It can cause damage to your wall or can seep in and actually drip down from your bathroom to your lower level ceiling.” Yikes.

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He also warned that it’s important for homeowners to think in terms of “function as well as style” when buying the tub that is right for their home. This is an especially crucial point to consider for families who have grandkids, as playful bath-time rituals increase the chance of dangerous overflow. Furthermore, clawfoot tubs may not just be a bad idea for kids: even adults can struggle with keeping all the water inside the tub when bathing in such tight quarters.

But for those who can’t bear the thought of trying a different tub style on their next purchase, there are still ways clawfoot bathtubs can work in your home.

“If you’re going to do it as both a shower and a tub, it has to be in a wet room,” Drew advises. “You have to have everything tiled and waterproof—you can’t have it in a regular room.”

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So before you take the plunge to purchase your next clawfoot tub, or decide to keep that old-fashioned one you’ve had in your bathroom for years, you may want to reconsider. Still, if your attachment proves too strong, you would be wise to follow Drew’s simple rule!

h/t PopSugar

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