Many people are nowadays choosing to have a walk-in bathtub, but of course it’s the elderly and those who have mobility problems who stand to benefit from these the most. Most of the walk-in bathtubs which are available nowadays have a range of safety features to make them more convenient for those who may have a physical disability, so, let’s take a look at the most important things you should take into consideration when shopping for one.
Hand Rails and Safety Bars
Practically all walk-in bathtubs come with handrails in order to enhance safety, but depending on your personal circumstances you may want to make sure that the hand rails are installed in such a way so as to meet your personal needs. For example, you may need the bar to the lowered or raised, depending on the needs of the person who will be using the bathtub the most.
Door Seals
For obvious reasons, you need to choose a walk-in bathtub which has a good quality door seal, After all, the door of the bathtub is one of its most important features. The last thing want is to have the door leaking when the bathtub gets filled with water. In fact, you shouldn’t even consider purchasing a walk-in bathtub if the door seal isn’t covered by a lifetime warranty. Remember, it’s the door and the door seal which make a walk in bath tub such a convenient thing to have, and if it’s faulty, in that it leaks whenever it’s full of water, you probably won’t even be able to use it at all.
Anti-Slip Flooring
Many elderly people end up fracturing or breaking their hips when they slip in a bath, and for this reason you should only consider purchasing a walk-in bathtub which has anti-slip flooring. This is something you should insist on even if the bathtub isn’t being purchased for a person with special needs, in that a slip in a bathtub can have terrible consequences for anyone. Also, some floors may appear to be anti-slip when they’re dry, but you need to be sure that that’s the case even when it’s covered in soapy water.
Seat
Many walk-in bathtubs have a built in seat, and of course this is a great feature as far as comfort is concerned. In the case of a handicapped person, a seat may even be an absolute necessity in that many handicapped people find it very difficult to sit too low in a bathtub. If you choose a walk in bathtub with a built in seat you will of course need to make sure that it’s positioned at the correct height. In other words, when you sit on it you should be able to place your feet firmly on the floor.
Shower Head
Almost all walk-in bathtubs come with shower heads, but as is to be expected, the quality can vary tremendously. Generally speaking, you want a bathtub with a shower head that is not only easy to use, but it should also be easy to clean.
Massage Feature
While this isn’t always a feature included in walk-in bathtubs, many people feel that it’s certainly worth the extra bit of money. After all, if you’re already investing money in a good quality walk-in bathtub, why not spoil yourself that little bit more, in which case you’ll be able to enjoy a wonderfully rejuvenating massage whenever you want one.
Manufacture
Not only are you going to be spending quite a bit of money when you purchase your walk-in bathtub, but you’ll also need to have it installed in your home. This in itself can be quite a big job, and as such, it’s not something you want to have to do again a few months down the line. What I’m trying to say here, is that you should only purchase a walk-in bathtub which has been manufactured by a well established company. Yes it may cost more than one of the cheap imports, but in the long run you’ll be glad. Something else which you should look out for is the fact that a good quality walk-in bathtub will always come with a warranty. Not only does it give you extra peace of mind in knowing that your investment is covered, but it also implies that the manufacturer is confident with regards to the quality of their products.
The bottom line is; when you’re shopping for a walk-in bathtub, you should never be willing to settle for second best.
