A walk-in tub can be a great asset for your bathroom, but many homeowners aren’t sure how they work or whether it’s the best investment for you. First, it’s important to understand what a walk-in tub is. A walk-in tub is a tub that features a watertight door that opens and closes so that the bather can step in and out of a tub seamlessly, without lifting their leg above the tub rim. Walk-in tubs are ideal for seniors, but can even be used for those that simply want an optimal bathtub experience. Check out this guide to learn more about how walk-in tubs work and the benefits they provide:
Safety & Security
Traditional bathtubs are risky for seniors and other people with mobility issues. Some people even prefer the ease of the walk-in tub even if they don’t necessarily need it. Some tubs are designed to allow easy transfer from a wheelchair to the tub seat, and these are called slide through tubs. With these models, the door length expands across nearly the entire width of the tub.
For seniors, re-inventing the home to incorporate preventative measures is crucial. After all, one-third of adults over the age of 65 experience serious falls in the home, with the vast majority of those falls occurring in the bathroom. Every 11 seconds, an elderly person is treated in the hospital for a fall. Walk-in tubs offer a variety of features that help reduce potential for falls. In addition to the swing door, additional guard rails, built-in seating, anti-slip flooring, and scald prevention valves also create an additional level of security. Grab bars will also assist individuals with mobility issues.
Different Models
There are many different types of makes and models for walk-in tubs, depending on what your needs are. You can have a tab that fits in place of a standard walk-in shower or a standard bathtub. In some cases, you can have your walk-in tub custom made to fit your needs. There are plenty of configurations to fit various housing situations. However, generally speaking, many models have a higher height than a longer width.
Deeper Water Depth
Compared to standard tubs, walk-in tubs offer higher depth of water. A typical bathtub will usually have about 14 inches of water depth, compared to a walk-in tub which can have up to four feet of water, depending on your make and model. With a comfortable seat inside, this water depth creates a full immersion experience, making it very relaxing for the bather.
What to Avoid
Although walk-in tubs are great additions to the home for comfort and safety, there are some things you should avoid once you incorporate these into your home. For starters, many seniors use the walk-in door to balance and stabilize themselves, but these doors weren’t made or designed to withstand full body weight; therefore, applying too much pressure would decrease the lifetime longevity of the door, and in some cases, can actually cause a slip and fall.
Another mistake many novice homeowners make is placing too much emphasis on price, rather than quality. A walk-in tub is an investment—one that can even increase the home value of your property. Therefore, it’s not an investment that you should take lightly. Purchase your product from a certified brand that has passed quality assurance tests from the American National Standards Institute. Additionally, to protect your investment, be sure to purchase a warranty, which can help prevent you from spending money on certain inevitable costs associated with long-time wear and tear.
Purchasing Options
There are a few options for purchasing a walk-in tub, and some options are better than others. If you or someone you know understands how to install the walk-in tub properly, you can purchase it and handle the installation independently—but you’ll also need a plumber (and an electrician in some cases). Installing a product of this magnitude shouldn’t be taken lightly, and isn’t a DIY project, so be sure you know what you’re capable of and can subcontract other areas outside of your expertise.
You can also have it purchased and installed it from a general contractor, as long as they can provide you with a quality tub and are very familiar with the installation process. Be sure to ask your potential contractor if there are additional fees for calling to fix issues covered in the warranty.
Bathroom remodeling companies are generally the safest, most high-quality choice. These companies handle furnishing and installing. They’re held to high standards and have adequate licensing, insurance, and niche experience in the bathroom remodeling arena. However, be sure to get quotes from multiple companies and do your due diligence—always check out online reviews and take advantage of free consultations.
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