Key Information about Walk-in Baths and Showers

Falling out of love with your home can cause a strain on your life, particularly if the reason behind it is because it is unsafe for you or a family member. As one of the most important rooms in your home, it is important that you can use your bathroom to its full potential, and that includes bathing.

If you suffer from low mobility or need an accessible solution to help you wash, remodelling your bathroom may be the first thing that springs to mind. However, this can be costly and time-consuming, so it’s something that should not be taken lightly.

Walk-in baths and showers are a great solution. Their installation means that the rest of your bathroom can be preserved, and they can be installed in a timely manner. If you’re thinking about investing in a walk-in bath or shower and are interested in finding out a little bit more information, take a look at this guide.

How do walk-in baths work?

A walk-in bath works well for those looking for an accessible option. They are installed with a seat that allows the body to be submerged in water without the need to bend down. This works well for those who have painful joint problems, such as arthritis, or other mobility problems. A walk-in bath can also have an extra-wide door which is suitable for wheelchair users as the extra space allows transferring your weight from the wheelchair to the bath simple.

There are other models of walk-in baths that have the door access with no chair, as well as compact versions, suitable for smaller bathrooms. You can discuss your options with a member of our team by arranging a home visit.

How do you fill a walk-in bath?

Unlike a traditional bath, a walk-in bath is deeper and allows easy access to those with mobility issues. Before filling the bath, you simply step into the tub, shut the door and allow it to fill.  With a small, 8-9-inch threshold to step over, this makes gaining access to the bath easy for those who have mobility problems.

Similarly, before exiting the bath, you have to allow it to drain before opening the door. Although this leaves prolonged periods where your body can be exposed to cold air. The best way to avoid this is to invest in a heated seat.

How much water does a walk-in bath use?

There are lots of different walk-in baths on the market that all require different quantities of water to fill them up. Many walk-in baths are the same size as a traditional tub, so will need no more than the standard 80 gallons/302 litres of water. If you’re looking at a compact model, these will need a little bit less.

One thing to consider when filling a walk-in bath is the length of time that it takes to fill your bath, particularly as you will be sat inside whilst it fills up. A member of our team will take a look at your home’s water pressure in order to give you an estimated time of how long this will take if you arrange a home visit.

Do walk-in baths leak?

A walk-in bath uses a watertight door to ensure that there is no leaking.

What is a walk-in shower?

A walk-in shower is a good option for those who are looking for an accessible bathing solution. From wet rooms to easy access, a walk-in shower is slip resistant and makes showering safer for those with low mobility. There are a range of features that can be added, such as built-in floor to ceiling posts to help you feel more stable, large shower trays with minimal depth and half-height doors to prevent wet floors.

What size is a walk-in shower?

One of the biggest benefits of a walk-in shower is that the size can change to fit your bathroom specification. A larger shower area means that accessible showering can be made easier, particularly if help if needed. With a spacious shower tray, you also have more space to move around. Plus, with the addition of a slip resistant base, you have peace of mind that you can shower in safety.

There are also various models of walk-in showers, including wet rooms. These are the perfect solution for wheelchair users as there is no shower tray to step into. With a wet room, you do have the option of installing a shower door to prevent the rest of the bathroom from becoming wet, but waterproof flooring is necessary due to the level access.

Do walk-in showers splash?

With sloping floors and a carefully positioned panel of glass, a walk-in shower causes minimal splash. This is good for those with low mobility as it further reduces the chance of slipping in the bathroom. The position of the showerhead will also affect this, but a member of our team will find the perfect place for this before the begin the installation process.

Is government assistance available?

You may be eligible for government support to purchase your bathing solution. It is recommended that you contact your local authority to find out further details. Please note timescales may vary from one area of the country to another and this is a means-tested service.