Do Walk in Bathtubs Have Design Flaws?

Not all walk-in bathtubs are created equal. Without realizing it many walk in bathtub manufacturers have created their products with design flaws. Purchasers need to be aware of those design flaws.

Step in height

This is a safety issue. Most walk in bath tubs have a high step into the tub of 6 to 7 inches. This height is actually dangerous for people with limited mobility. The reason they buy a walk in bathtub is because they can’t climb stairs or take large steps. Remember the purpose of the walk in bathtub is making bathing possible for those who cannot get in or out of a regular bathtub.

Tile Flange

A tile flange is the lip that extends above the bath tub by about an inch and a half. This allows the finishing material (tile, tub surround, etc) to hang over the lip to protect the drywall backing from getting wet and deteriorating. Most building codes require a tile flange. Many walk in bathtub manufacturers have neglected to add a tile flange to their bathtubs.

Bathtub size

Bigger is not always better. While manufacturers’ attempt to impress would-be purchasers by the size of their bathtubs, there are two things to keep in mind. If you are putting your bathtub in an existing bathroom it needs to fit, not only in the bathroom, but through the door. Secondly, the larger the size, the more water the bathtub will hold, making for a longer fill and drain time. Some people think that they want a bathtub where they can be immersed in water. That’s a great idea; but think how long it would take to fill and drain that tub while you sit inside waiting - that’s why such a bathtub does not exist. Remember too that when sitting in a traditional bathtub, your body is never immersed so why would you expect it to be in a walk in bathtub.

For further information regarding bathing safety and walk in bathtubs visit www.safetybath.com

How to Keep your San Francisco Mother-In–Law in Her Own Home

My mother in law lives in San Francisco. As far as mothers-in-law go, she’s a grand old gal. She lives in her own home and has managed just fine up to this point in time. Last year after my father-in-law passed away, she insisted that she wanted to remain where she was… in the same home they had shared for 50 years, in the same comfortable neighborhood.

We frequently make the 45 minute drive to her home, where we visit, do a few minor things for her and often have a good meal. About a month ago, during our drive back home, my wife confided that she had some worries about her mother.

“I think Mom should come and live with us”, she said. “She admitted to me that she fell last week getting into the bathtub. She was lucky she only got a little bruised but can you imagine what would happen if she broke something, like her hip? I’m not sure we could afford to get her into the type of care facility she would need for maybe the rest of her life. If she lived with us, we wouldn’t have to worry about her.”

I understood my wife’s concerns, but jeepers, I was not too sure that I wanted to share my home with my mother-in-law. We were quite happy on our own and now that our kids were out of the house, we were enjoying our empty nest. I love my mother-in-law but living with her was going to be quite another issue!

It started me thinking about things I could do to keep her in her own home and that’s when I remembered something I had heard about a while back… those bathtubs with the doors. I knew it would cost us a bit, but compared to the alternative of having the old gal fall in the tub and dealing with long term care, it seemed the best way out of a tricky situation.

So now I know all there is to know about walk in bathtubs, my mother-in law has a walk in bathtub and is happy, my wife is happy, and gosh, darn, I’m happy too!um2ykwrsec