I am looking into getting one, have an estimator coming out to do the measurements on both of my tubs - in case it won't do in one bath it can go in the other one.
What is the opinion of those who own them please, do you like it overall, what kinds of problems if any have you had etc.

I will follow this thread as I'm curious also.

My MIL considered getting one, but opted for an open shower, partly due to cost, partly do to having to manipulate the handle and sit in it while it drained.

I have a elderly friend that has one. He uses the shower feature only. After falling in the regular tub and not able to get up....this tub is if nothing else peace of mind. They are pricy but worth it in my opinion.

do a search on the company you are about to use and read any complaints. I thought of using one Home Depot had in the front of their store until I did that.

We used Bathfitters for MIL. They took out an old (ugly and damaged) cast iron tub and put in a nice walk-in shower. She has room for a shower bench and has a handheld showerhead. It has worked out great and was around 5K including nice glass doors.

My friends just put one in and they LOVE it. They did put in a water heater just for that tub and also a water system that links their other water heater so they would always have hot water; it works beautifully. They feel it is the best thing they did; his wife is quite 'stove' up with muscle problems and she is doing better and better each day.

My friend has one and LOVES it. She lives with pain everyday and had a hard time getting in and out of her old tub. She says she can get in and out now with no problems and it helps reduce her pain. She says it was one of her best investments.

Thought about this when my grandmother was alive. They are nice, but expensive. It was more cost effective for me to install a walk-in shower (splurged, and turned it into a sauna as well!!) and a hot tub on the deck out back. Gram easily got in and out of both on her own initially, and the walk in shower made it much easier for her aides to help w/ her bathing when she got to the point when she needed help.

I considered one for my late DH. The cost was too much for us and I couldn't figure out why anyone would want to sit there waiting for it to drain!!! Seems you'd be cold. We had a larger shower and just added a shower stool for him to sit on and handles to hold onto. It was easy for me to hop in with him and shower him.

I used to work with the elderly and a few of them had one the main downside was having to sit and wait for it to empty before opening the door - can be a bit chilly ......
One of my ladies decided to open the door before it was empty - oh my how much water??!!!! had to get in industrial driers she lived in a bungalow so the whole of the house was flooded - a walk in shower with a seat is a much better option and not so expensive

My take on this bathtub is that a walk in shower would be much better. Get a shower bench and a hand held shower. This bathtub looks very small and having to sit in it while it fills and drains would be a drag. Also, just looking at resale value on a home, I think the walk in shower would be more of a winner.

Go to a nursing home and talk to some of the aides there.
They work with them every day and will have strong ideas about them, pro and/or con.

I do see what everyone is saying about walk in showers, I have a shower like that already - no seat as it is small - just enough to turn around in.
I want the walk in tub for the spa jets - a spa tub more or less.
I have 2 tubs that are avail to have one replaced with a spa type tub. Looking more at the back room as it used to be a bathroom, took out the toilet and sink, floor was bad, replaced the plywood and put on new tiles on top.
Under the plywood, are 2 x 6 planks and that is on top of Concrete.
I would love to be able to sit in a bathtub to soak, I can't get out of one due to my ankles and knees.
A walk in tub would enable me to sit n soak - a spa room where I would have a space heater and a chair to hold bathrobe and towel.

From what the reps I have spoken to and what I have read, it takes under 3 mins to drain the tubs, they use the plumbing already there.

I would love to be able to sit in a bathtub to soak, I can't get out of one due to my ankles and knees.
A walk in tub would enable me to sit n soak - a spa room where I would have a space heater and a chair to hold bathrobe and towel.[/quote]
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After taking care of my late DH as his legs weakened over the years, I'd STRONGLY suggest you find a way to put up grab bars.
Over the years I put up 8 of them in the master bathroom. And now I find them beginning to be handy to help me keep my balance in soapy water since I like the showers better than the tub.

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After taking care of my late DH as his legs weakened over the years, I'd STRONGLY suggest you find a way to put up grab bars.
Over the years I put up 8 of them in the master bathroom. And now I find them beginning to be handy to help me keep my balance in soapy water since I like the showers better than the tub.[/quote]

I would love to be able to take a tub bath instead of being Stuck with showers as I have been over the years. Dr's have said my knees are not stable - I can't stand for long periods anymore as they do start to get weak.
A walk in tub allows me to sit and soak my knees, lower back, my hands (arthritic) a shower even with a seat would be a waste of water.

my ex mother-in-law had her standard bathtub turned into a walk in shower,then we bought a shower chair that she can sit on and take her shower,She loves it.She couldnt lift her leg to get in the shower because of hip problems.has had 2 hip replacements and it is just much easier for her

I would love to be able to take a tub bath instead of being Stuck with showers as I have been over the years. Dr's have said my knees are not stable - I can't stand for long periods anymore as they do start to get weak.
A walk in tub allows me to sit and soak my knees, lower back, my hands (arthritic) a shower even with a seat would be a waste of water.[/quote]
you can buy shower chairs,really convienent

Would that be a pond? I've never heard of a walkin bathtub?

You must not be old enough to get the AARP magazine :lol: lots of ads in there for walk in tubs. I would love to have one but the cost is prohibitive at the moment! Maybe if I win the lottery! LOL

I would love to get a walk-in tub for my mom, but after reading the draining issue, I think that a walk-in shower would be much more practical for her and dad.

Here they warn us about drinking the water and people want to sit in it. Not me, I want the dirty water going down the drain, not in a tub. You all must live in a more civilized area than we do, or you have wells with nice clean water. The Drs. told my grandaughter, when she was pregnant, never sit in this water, only take showers.

I havent taken a bath in 40 years only take showers

While I can still get in & out of my whirlpool tub, it is so very relaxing to lie back and let the jets swirl the water around. However, it takes a lot of water to fill the thing. It is a 2 person tub. We hve a hot tub outdoors and I swear it helps my arthritis. The motor has gone out and will be replaced as soon as this heat spell breaks. I cannpot tolerate getting in or out of it actually when the temps is very cold but my DH loves it. So I do understand the want for a walk in tub. Just be certain to check out the Co. you buy from before you pay.

I haven't purchased one but saw them used at the VA hospital when I was doing my nurses training. I thought they were wonderful!!!
The first thing that came to mind when I first saw one was "What numb skull thought this up? This will never work because it will leak."
Well, I never saw one leak and they were great for working with our veterans that had mobility issues, lost limbs, etc. So much easier access for wheelchair bound people or if you have trouble standing. So many of them appreciated the pain relief they got from using them.
Ann in TN

Every time I see the commercial what I think of is-that you have to get in before running water and get out after the water drains. I just think of the person sitting there getting cold for this whole process.

I don't have one but just thinking about how it would work, I agree with you. You are sitting in it naked (sorry) waiting for it to fill up, maybe cold and waiting (wet) for it to empty. Idea sounds great but realistically not.

I have a radiant space heater that I plan on using, so not going to be cold either way. The heater I use heats up a large room in 5 mins, I don't think there will be a problem as it has a thermostat.

My late FIL had one installed. He never said anything negative about it. It was just an easier way for him to take a bath and not have to stand or bend to do it. He couldn't clean it himself. It took bending and cleaning like any bathtub.

In the news recently was a story of a woman who spent $12,000 :shock: on her walk-in tub and somehow slipped and got herself wedged and stuck in it. She tried to pull the chain connected to the plug so she could drain the tub, but the chain broke. Her daughter found her unconscious 30 hours later. She had "significant damage" to her skin from sitting in it so long. The woman spent 4 days in the hospital and 3 months in a nursing home. She's suing the tub manufacturer.

I also replaced my tub w/a walk in shower when it became too difficult to lift my legs over the side of a tub. It has a built in seat in one end & my grandson put up grab bars on the walls.

I had considered those walk in tubs, but thought about having to sit in it till the water drains & also they looked pretty small (I love the "space" mine has). BUT they are MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE than the walk in shower w/seat.

Good luck in your decision.

Thank you for this post.. I have read those answers.

It is so enticing.. and the cost is high.. but have considered it against a hot tub..

to sit and wait for this to drain would defeat my muscles needs.. cannot imagin that.

Will keep my bath tub walk in shower size and be happy after reading your post..

thank you so much.

Ell

We thought of getting one too, but then our plummer said to remember that you must sit in there ( naked) till it fills up and the sit there again ( naked ) till drains out! We decided not to get one.

We installed the Kohler version of the walk-in tub for our daughter when we built our house. Fifteen years ago, Kohler was the only brand we could find. It is standard tub size. She has cerebral palsy and it was the best answer for her to independently get in and out of. She also likes to soak in warm water to loosen tight muscles.

Her tub has a gasket seal that activates with electricity when the door is opened. You get into the empty tub before filling and wait for the water to drain before you can get out. Our electricity went out one day when she was in it and the tub leaked.

We must have had the only one of these tubs in our area for a few years. The plumbing distributor didn't have one on display, so they called to see if they could send potential clients over to see it several times. Both ladies, who had arthritis, were so eager to try it out because they wanted to soak. However, they both found that the seat was too low for them to stand up.

If you have assistance in the house, you could install a doorbell or intercom to summon help if something happened.

I had looked at them but decided I didn't want to sit in it while the water drained. I had a company called ReBath come in and pulled my old tub & made it into a very large shower with grab bars & a seat for bad days. Love it, was worth the 5K.

I never thought about it having to drain before getting out. Thanks.

I have a friend who has had to have her knees replaced (and ankle surgery). She loves hers.

I also think the wait for the water to drain would be chilly; however, if you can have a small electric heater in the bathroom, that would probably take care of the chill problem.

I spoke to a rep for a company that sells and installs the tubs, One can use the shower spray while the tub is draining, it is a fast drain. No need to sit and be chilly as you can use the spray while tub is filling also.
I learned a lot with this sales presentation.
With a walk in shower, you can't soak like you can in the tub.
I want a tub with jets

I myself think they would be great. then I had a friend tell me, o you going to sit there while it drains, how long does it take to fill? Blah blah!!!!