Has anyone here installed a walk-in bathtub?
I’m going to look at a job today where they want an ovesized walk-in tub installed. Here is a link to the product.
http://www.independentlivingusa.com/TheBig-BatheModel.html
I’ve never installed one before. Hoping they don’t tend to have warranty issues with leaking.
View Image bakersfieldremodel.com
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saw two that were leakersw out of 11 installed in an assisted living complex...
only know that they leaked...
that's all...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
I'd be interested in feedback from anyone who's actually had one. Seems good on first blush advertising, but I don't take baths now, but when I did, I didn't get in until the tub was full. This seems to require that one get in and close the door, turn on the water, then wait until it's full, enduring the temperature variances along the way. Seems also to use a lot of water. I like to shower in a few minutes, then get on with the day. Not into hour long baths. Is this a really good idea or a marketing ploy, like the Amish heater?
Huck,
I installed one of those about 4 years ago for a client.
Basically it was a stand alone unit with levelers on the legs and close out panels on the ends. We built a knee wall on the side to put the valve on and there was a wall on the back side of it that we hung a hand shower on. The actual install of the tub was a piece of cake but the plumbing was a little more complicated( we use plumbing subs).
The one we installed had a temp regulating valve so there's no chance of scalding and you could start washing as soon as the water came out. You could set the temp you liked and just turn the water on.
We tiled all the walls around the tub and fashioned a small shower curtain to pull across.
We also installed a roll in handicap shower in the same bath for these clients and as I recall these items were pretty pricey. The H.O. ordered and paid for both items himself so I'm not exactly sure what the price was, but that did relieve us of any warranty except for the install.
I've done several jobs for these clients and their family since and they've never said anything about any tub leaks.
AS a side note, my client made an observation that would be worthy of a sales pitch. They were an couple that was in their 70's an she had failing health. He said if this allows him to take care of her for an extra year at home then it would pay for itself. PLUS.... ya can't put a price on keeping your spouse of 50 years at home with ya...
dug
a guy was manufacturing these in a building across from me... i spent months working to get his prototypes leak free... even after he'd purchased several on the market units to study... I like others here just didn't see them being practical... get in wait to fill... then you have to wait to empty to exit......
he finally got em done... figured he had about $1200 in each one... i found him a manufacturer in china with a far better unit for $800 each delivered (by the container load)... think he ordered one container load... spent the next 2-3 years try'n to sell them (that one order)
just say'n :)
p
Huck,
I put one in 2 years ago for an older lady (coolest woman around). She wanted to enjoy the views of her private lakeside house setting.
I was skeptical of the tub at first, but she really didn't want to give up her independence and I fully supported her on that. I had a thread about 2 years ago asking for help on installation because I'd never done one before. Didn't get a lot of answers, but my plumbers ended up having it under control.
I ordered hers from Safetytubs : http://www.arwholesale.com/
Here's a pic of the one that I installed:
http://www.pauljohnsoncarpentry.com/Paul_Johnson/Soaking_Tub.html
My plumbers did a great job putting it in, it seemed like it was going to be tricky to install, but the only tricky part was dropping the tub into place so that the drain went right down into the p-trap below. I thought that wold be the weak link, but there haven't been any leaks from there at all.
Here's my thoughts on the matter:
We ordered one with a quick draining drain, full tub drains in less than a minute. A motor sucks the water out, not too noisy, only issue would be the added pressure onto the waste lines, shouldn't be an issue if everything's in good shape. Seems like it'd get pretty cold waiting in there for the water to drain fully otherwise.
The handle wedges the door shut against the rubber gasket. I thought it seemed like it would be hard to open/close if you've lost some mobility in your hands, but she's never had a problem with it.
The tub has a handheld shower wand on it, I always figured if I were taking a bath, I'd use the wand to warm myself up as the bath was filling.
The thing was pretty darn comfortable to sit in (at least while empty)
Got to feel warm and fuzzy helping an 80+ year old woman keep doing what she likes to do in her home (she lives alone). Still not 100% sure it won't leak at some point, but the benefits of the tub for her have far outweighed any sleepless nights on my part. Just hope the company stands up for their product if an issue ever does arise.
Paul
I think if I were installing a tub like that I'd order a replacement seal kit immediately. Ten years down the road when it's needed the manufacturer may be gone.
You must have had experience with American Standard shower systems.
Here's a couple of photos after the tub was unpacked and the plumbers were drilling the holes and installing the fixtures...
The one comment I heard from a guy that installed a bunch in condos is they need a good set of taps to fill it fast and a large drain to get rid of all that water fast since you cannot get out until it is drained.