Recent Bathtub History

Feb 17, 2022  |  By Brham Trim (Red Deer)  |  Bathtubs

When was the last time you were able to bathe? If you’re like most Canadians, you probably had a bath or shower within the last 24 hours. This great convenience is largely due to modern plumbing systems which provide clean, safe water straight into our homes.

The practice of bathing has likely been around for as long as people have existed on Earth, and evidence of public baths has been found dating back to ancient civilizations. However, the bathtub in home is a more recent creation that can be traced back to the iconic ‘clawfoot’ tubs popular in the late 19th century.

Taking its name from the claw-shaped legs underneath it, the clawfoot tub originated in Holland in the 1800s from where it spread to Britain and North America. These cast iron tubs enjoyed some success with aristocrats as bathing was becoming more fashionable at the time, though common adoption of them only began as indoor residential plumbing became more widespread.

In the 20th century, the clawfoot bathtub slowly lost its prominence as apron-front tubs built directly into houses gained popularity thanks to their ease of maintenance. However, clawfoot models have lately returned as a fashion household fixture.

Regardless of which style of bathtub you prefer, at Action Auger, we are happy and ready to help you with any maintenance or installation you may need – 24 hours a day!