Re: Walk in tubs

Lilysmom1 · ‎11-08-2020

As other posters have pointed out, one of the biggest criticisms for this style of tub is that you have to sit and wait while it drains. People complain of getting cold while forced to wait. My neighbour had one and it leaked. They wound up taking it out.

CalminHeart · ‎03-09-2010

I don't want a walk-in tub because you have to sit there until it drains so you can open the door and get out.

Suzy Q from PA · ‎04-18-2010

Replaced tub with a walk in shower a few years ago to make house easier for us as we age. I figure the house is for us to live in and not worry about resale.

phoenixbrd · ‎03-27-2010

I agree with @Suzy Q from PA ....if this is your forever home and you will be comforted by a walk in tub, then go for it. If you are considering resell value then I would not spend the money on a walk in tub.

Franell · ‎03-23-2012

My kids bought a house this year and the master bath had a walk in tub. They took it out and remodeled the bathroom. It is not a popular choice with younger or older people.

wagirl · ‎03-09-2010

I think a walk in tub would be amazing!!! My house had a small useless tub/shower in the main bath as well as another shower in the main bedroom---it was fine when my kids were little but now--would be hard to get me out of a walk in tub---I miss taking baths!!! I would have put the walk- in in the main bedroom bath and then there is the tub in the other one.

scrapperlisa · ‎03-13-2010

I do financial planning and one of my clients put in a very fancy and expensive walk in jacuzzi tubs, and has extreme regrets about it due to how it will hurt his home resale value. His realtor said he may have to rip it back out to sell his house. My advice is, if you think you will be selling your house in the next 3-5 years or so, don't do it. However, if you think it will improve the quality of your life and you will actually use it, go for it!

Myself, I would love a roll-in shower with a seat instead of a bath/shower combo. But alas I live in an apartment and can't change it.

Puppy Lips · ‎05-09-2010

My parents had a walk in tub in their owner's bedroom bathroom. My last night there, before it was sold, I decided to try it out. Well you have to wait for the water to drain out before you can open the door to get out. I got cold sitting there as the water drained out. Then as the water level got low, I "tested" the door to see if it would still open while there was water it there - it did and some spilled out onto the floor, lol. Maybe there are better systems now. All I know is that I don't think I will ever want one, but you never know.

Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else. Margaret Mead

NYCLatinaMe · ‎01-14-2017

If you really want a walk in tub and don't mind that it will hurt the resale value of your home, then you should get it. A walk in tub will hurt the resale value because the overwhelming majority of homebuyers do not want one.

A walk in shower with a seat in it is very nice and desirable. Since you have a tub elsewhere in the home, and the tub you want to replace is in the primary suite, replacing a huge tub with a nice walk in shower with a bench will probably be better for the resale value of the home.

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

@bonnielu

I absolutely would not go with a walk in tub! 2 years ago we remodeled our main bath and replaced the tub with a handicapped accessible, walk in, tiled shower. My daughters absolutely love the shower and it was worthy of the expense.

Our contractor stayed busy for about 2 years installing walk in tubs for locals in their 70's and 80's with mobility issues. I think the total number was 25-28. As of when he was here, he had been called back to more than half of those homes to remove the walk in tubs and do walk in showers.

Leakage was the number 1 complaint; the door gaskets do not provide a tight enough seal to keep water from getting out. Once the all inclusive warranty expired, seal replacement fell on the owners, which became quite expensive for the seal and getting it installed. Yes there were also complaints by owners about getting cold while the tub filled and drained, water not staying at temperature, and other features not turning out to be as expected. Our contractor will no longer install a walk in tub for anyone who contacts him.