Walk In Bathtub Information

What do I need to know before buying a walk in bathtub?
Become informed – learning about walk-in bathtub construction, materials, finish, faucets, features and available options can help the process significantly. Be skeptical of companies that will not discuss pricing over the phone. You’ll quickly find that there are countless options for these products and most companies tout their tub as the best. A few quick phone calls should differentiate the professionals from the companies looking to give you their sales pitch.

Why are walk-in bathtubs priced so differently?

Pricing often depends on the quality of the tub and the companies overhead due to outside salesman and outside companies doing their installs. An imported tub from overseas that is bought in bulk and shipped straight from the dock can be sold for much less. Many of these companies will not replace broken parts or be there if you need assistance. These tubs may only be a “soaker tub” / a tub with no jets. They advertise a low price but as you add features such as faucets and air jets and hydro jets they will often end up costing more, be of poor quality, and have little to no warranty. Companies with large overhead usually have the most expensive tubs because the have several layers of people that will get paid.

Why can’t I get a price over the phone from so many of these companies?
Pricing may be relative to how much the company’s salesman thinks he can get. You’ll find that many companies will start the price out very high ($17,000 – $25,000) for the tub and installation. The salesman then applies a series of “Discounts” until he gets to the “buy today” best deal price. Be prepared for a sales representative to set up in your home for a long sales pitch that will likely include discount gimmicks and pricing games. They won’t give you a price over the phone because the salesman needs to size up his customer, and figure out how much he can get them to pay. Don’t go with a company that will not give you a price range over the phone, as this will just lead you into a 2-6 hour sales pitch, that will lead you into wanting to kick the salesman out of your home. We recently found a company offering “Free Installation” – Seriously? We have yet to find any professionally qualified installers to install walk-in bathtubs for Free.

How difficult is installation?
Installation can be a lot more complicated than one may realize. Plumbing, carpentry, and electrical work is required to install most walk in tubs. It is best to leave it to the pros when it comes to installation.

Why do companies want to send a Rep to my house for an appointment?
 It will be necessary for a company representative to visit your home in most cases unless you contact one of the experienced companies that allow a knowledgeable representatives to answer calls. We are able to take most measurements over the phone to be able to price out your job before we even come to look at it.  It is best to have one of our trained professionals to take a look at the job site to make sure there is no unforeseen issues and so that we can give a firm price.

There are several different walk in bathtub sizes – what size is right for me?
This depends on the size of your bathroom, existing tub or shower size, and the weight and height of the user. 

What is the difference between an “air jet” system and a “water jet” hydrotherapy system for walk-in bathtubs?
An air-jet system will blow warm air into the water creating a light hydrotherapy massage. A water-jet system uses a water pump to produce streams of water. The water-jet system will produce a more concentrated massage, and the heater systems are often more effective on water jet hydrotherapy systems. 

Will the jets “hurt” or be uncomfortable?
Bathe Safe’s jetting system comes standard with controls and speeds for both the air and water jet systems. This allows the user to increase and decrease the pressure of the water coming out of the water jet system & increase and decrease the air flow pressure as well. Ask a knowledgeable staff member of Bathe Safe about the jetting systems. 

How long does it take for walk in tubs to drain?
It really depends on the existing plumbing. If your current tub drains at a good pace a walk in tub will as well. Usually it will take 2 to 4 minutes for the tub to drain if the tub is installed correctly and existing drain lines operate properly. If a tub takes an unusually long time for a walk in tub to drain, it was likely installed incorrectly. Have a qualified professional check the drainage configuration.

How long should it take for a walk-in tub to fill?
Factors that will affect how long it takes are water pressure at your home and the size of the walk-in tub. It can take 2 + minutes for a tub to fill. Many companies offer sizes, but remember to consider the size of a user when considering smaller tubs.

What size water heater do I need for a walk in bathtub?
A properly functioning 40 gallon tank should be sufficient for a standard sized walk in tub. The oversized walk-in tubs may require a larger size.

Can a walk-in bathtub be installed in a home that is built on a concrete slab?
Yes. 

My current tub is surrounded by tile on the walls – can a walk-in bathtub be installed in that space?
Yes, a walk-in tub can be placed right up against the tile or the tile may be removed and either re-tiled or have an Acrylic or FRP surround installed. There are several options that can go in place of tile.

My current tub is a combination bathtub and shower (one-piece) – can a walk-in tub be installed in that space?
Yes, after removal of the tub / shower unit, a walk-in tub can be easily installed. A wall surround is often put around the tub but their are many options to put around your new walk in bathtub.

How can I replace my oversized tub (garden tub, jacuzzi style bathtub, extra-large tub) with a walk in bathtub?
Since most walk-in tubs are designed to fit in a variety of spaces, the bigger the space the more options you will have. Shelves on the back and sides are often built in to fill space without having to replace flooring.

What is the difference between acrylic and fiberglass?

Tubs will typically be made of Fiberglass with a Gel-Coat finish or Fiberglass with an Acrylic Coating. Either design is acceptable, but you will want to note the thickness of the shell. Tub Companies & Consumers alike often compare Fiberglass to Acrylic – Tub shells are constructed of a combination of Fiberglass & Resin (the tub shell), which gives the walk-in tub its rigidity. This shell is the coated with either Gel-Coat (a non-porous coating that is applied similar to paint) or Acrylic (a heated and stretched plastic-type material). We’ve found that the Gel-Coated tubs may be  more durable and less likely to crack and/or fade over time.

Fiberglass
Fiberglass is made of finely ground glass particles compressed onto a mold in several layers and then bonded together using a resin. Fiberglass is extremely lightweight, inexpensive and durable and does not require any additional reinforcement. To achieve a hard, and durable high-quality finish, a gelcoat is applied to the finished fiberglass mold. The outer layer of marine craft are often made with gelcoated fiberglass and provide excellent resistance to the rigors of heat and water, two things your walk-in tub will have to sustain. The gelcoat is designed to be durable and easy to maintain, and if there is damage, gelcoated fiberglass surfaces can be easily repaired with great success and repairs are permanent and virtually invisible.