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I have a beautiful antique tub in the upstairs rental unit in my 108 year old brownstone. However the tub has no proper drain on its overflow. There is simply a metal plate with a small (approx 1/4″) hole a few inches below the original faucet. Thus when the tub is filled unattended, water streams out onto the floor. During renovation a reputable plumber pointed it out to me and said there was nothing he could do, as the back of the tub is neither straight nor in great condition.

My tenants recently filled the tub up when I was out, and didn’t drain it as soon as they noticed the leak. A large amount of water soaked our bathroom and then drained into the basement.

Two questions: 1) is this really how the overflow was designed to work? I’ve asked some people who say it is how antique tubs did it. 2) What can I do to help ensure the tenants are more careful? I sincerely believe they didn’t understand what was happening, since a modern tub has a regular overflow.

Perhaps antique tubs aren’t appropriate for rentals.