Featuring a watertight door with a low threshold, walk-in tubs allow bathers to safely and easily enter and exit their tub without fear of slipping and falling. While they can be convenient for those with limited mobility, walk-in tubs aren’t right for everyone. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits and downsides of walk-in bath installation in Binghamton, NY.
Pros
Let’s start with the good aspects of installing a walk-in tub at your home. Here are a few reasons to go with a walk-in:
- Water depth: A standard tub has a depth of 13 or 14 inches. Walk-ins, however, have up to four feet of water depth, and the seat is usually about 17 inches high. This means bathers have 20 inches of depth for their torso for ultimate comfort.
- Safety features: One-third of all adults over 65 years old fall each year, and 80 percent of those falls occur in the bathroom. Along with the low threshold and wide-opening door, walk-ins have an ADA-compliant design, anti-slip flooring, built-in handrails and various other safety features to mitigate the risk of a fall.
- Hydrotherapy: Many walk-ins are equipped with hydrotherapy jets that make the bath more comfortable while providing real medical benefits. Hydrotherapy and warm water reduce aches and pains while helping to speed up recovery from past injuries.
- Comparable water usage: Even though walk-in tubs are taller and seem like they’re holding more water, that’s not actually the case. A standard tub holds anywhere from 40 to 80 gallons, while a walk-in holds about 50 gallons.
Cons
As mentioned above, walk-in bath installation in Binghamton, NY isn’t for everyone. These are a few disadvantages of buying a walk-in tub:
- Filling and draining time: You need to keep the door closed when filling and draining the tub, so you may need to spend quite a while—up to 15 minutes—sitting in the tub while it fills up and drains. Some models have a rapid filling and draining process, but it’s still slower than a standard tub.
- Temperature: Because you need to be in the tub as the water fills, you don’t get the opportunity to feel the water and adjust the temperature if it’s too hot or too cold. Every walk-in tub should be equipped with a scald prevention valve to ensure the water doesn’t burn the bather.
- Installation cost: Walk-in tubs can be quite expensive to purchase and install. Depending on the tub model and the complexity of the installation, some tubs can cost over $10,000 in total. Some people may qualify to get rebates from the state, though.
- Flooding: If the door isn’t secured or if the seal is faulty, there’s a chance that water can leak out from the tub and cause a small flood. Always double-check that the door is closed properly before starting the water.
Call us to install your tub!
If you’ve decided that walk-in bath installation in Binghamton, NY is right for you, pick up the phone and call our team at Penn York Medical. From bathroom accessories to wheelchair ramps, we sell and install a variety of products designed to make living safer and easier for those with limited mobility.