topic Re: Walk-in Tub in Wellness

Walk-in Tub

ilovedaisies — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 04:39:48 GMT

Does anyone have experience with a walk-in tub? We talked to the representative today. They can do either a walk-in tub or a step-in shower in our bathroom. The walk-in tub is almost twice as expensive as the step-in shower. The tub would have jacuzzi jets. Do you find that your 40 gallon hot water tank is enough for the tub with jets? Anything you can tell me would be appreciated. It's a big decision and I'm not sure which way to go.

Re: Walk-in Tub

57babe — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 04:53:43 GMT

I've read that the concern with the walk in tub was that it had to drain completely before the person could come out of the tub. I'd definitely ask the rep about that.

Do you have a shower in another bathroom in your home? Or a tub?

If you don't already have a shower in your home, you need to consider that you may not want to fill the tub up and then have to wait for it to drain --- every time you want to clean up.

A new, step-in shower may add to the market value of your home. But if you're not planning on selling this may not influence your decision.

Pretty much personal preference. But make sure to ask about the draining issue. If you have to sit and wait for the tub to drain -- you may not like that feature.

At any rate, I hope you enjoy your new tub or shower. Take care.

Re: Walk-in Tub

151949 — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 04:59:48 GMT

I need to take baths not showers because i have very dry skin and need to use oils in my bath. i would not want the jetted tub - to hard to clean.Anyway, i would absolutely LOVE to have a walk in tub. Some day.I would not have ay issue with it having to drain first because I now drain the tub before I get out as a safety precaution - so i don't fall getting out.It only takes a couple min.to drain.

Re: Walk-in Tub

57babe — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 05:00:06 GMT

Oh, forgot -- the Jacuzzi jets are very nice and help relieve pain from tired, achy joints.

They (the jets) do require some extra cleaning and care. You may have to fill the tub and run the jets with bleach at least once a month to keep the jets clean.

So consider that jets require some extra maintenance, but can be a very nice & relaxing feature to have.

Re: Walk-in Tub

Sooner — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 05:27:11 GMT

My aunt has a walk in tub and loves it. We don't have that but we have a big jetted tub and our average sized water heater has been fine--and I put a lot of hot water in the tub too! It is nice sometimes and really isn't a big hassle to keep clean.

Re: Walk-in Tub

conlt — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 05:29:27 GMT

I have a regular jetted tub but don't use the jets because the water gets cold so fast.

Re: Walk-in Tub

ilovedaisies — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 19:22:33 GMT

Thanks for all the input. I think we're going to think about for a couple of days and then probably go with a jetted tub.

Re: Walk-in Tub

bells4me — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 19:27:04 GMT

I have an 85 year old neighbor who had a walk in tub installed last summer. They have been out about 4 times because of problems. I don't know if hers has jets or not but you have to drain the tub before getting out (at least hers you do). I only take showers so that would be my option if I ever needed one.

Re: Walk-in Tub

candys mine — Sun, 19 Jan 2014 23:28:33 GMT

I don't know anything about Walk in type tubs which is why I looked in here to maybe glean a little info. My question is, if you have to wait inside the tub for it to drain, don't you have to sit in there waiting for it to fill? Seems like you have to set aside a goodly chunk of time for a bath. Which ever you choose, may you enjoy your investment.

Re: Walk-in Tub

Georgiagrama — Sun, 19 Jan 2014 23:58:00 GMT

I'm interested to find out what you decide and why OP. I know that the tubs are very expensive as my dear Mother had checked into them at one point. She was concerned about the hot water issue and I think it was finally decided that she would also have to purchase another hot water heater so she passed on the tub. She had a nice, roomy sit down shower anyhow.

I would personally like to do away with one of the bathtubs that we have now and just have a nice, big walk in shower like Mother had.

Re: Walk-in Tub

57babe — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 00:06:50 GMT

Your question about deciding between a walk-in tub and a shower got me to look online for a combination walk-in tub AND shower unit. I found several very nice combination walk-in tub and shower units. Have you seen these? You might like one of these units.

Re: Walk-in Tub

Tzu4u — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 00:54:38 GMT

We just put in a complete new bathroom with a walk-in shower with two seats. I have not taken a bath in years, and hated stepping into the bathtub to take a shower. We have heat and lighting in the ceiling of the shower so I can see, and no worries of falling as we get older.

The walk in tubs would only be good IMHO if they also have a shower. I would hate sitting in there while filling and draining. (COLD!!) They also use a lot of water. I can sit in my new shower and moisturize to my heart's content, shave my legs, etc. safely.

There are also seals and mechanics to the walk- in tubs that are bound to cause trouble after a few years.

Re: Walk-in Tub

FluffyNo1 — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 07:21:53 GMT

I had a walk in tub installed a year ago and don't regret it. I purchased locally and did consider the fact that it could affect the resale value of my home. Not everyone would want one, especially families with small children. I went ahead with the thought that if and when I decided to sell, I could just give the buyers a discount to pay for having it removed and an regular tub installed. It takes about 15 minutes to fill and you could get cold sitting in there waiting, but my model came with a heated seat, so it's fine. Takes only 2 minutes to drain. I have a 40 gallon natural gas water heater and it's fine. Set on 140 degrees. I agree that a walk in shower might be better for resale value, but really enjoy being able to take a bath again. I have the air jets on mine, 15 or so minutes after you get out a fan blows out the jets. You can't use bubble bath or anything like that in it. Hope this helps.

Re: Walk-in Tub

FluffyNo1 — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 07:25:37 GMT

Forgot to say that I also had a hand held shower put in, which also could have been installed on the wall which is handy for hair washing and cleaning the tub.

Re: Walk-in Tub

ilovedaisies — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 23:26:20 GMT

Thank you guys for all the responses. We're still mulling it over. We might go to a dealer's this weekend that has a walk-in tub set up. It's supposed to be a 6 inch step-up to get in the tub and I don't think I can do that. Anything would have to be better than the transfer seat I'm using now. It just scares me to death every time I shower.