Explore More About the Benefits and Drawbacks of a Walk in Tub.
A walk in bathtub can be ideal for individuals who are limited in their mobility and who would like to bathe in a safer, comfortable, and therapeutic manner. Such tubs allow people to remain independently and at home well into old age.
But walk in bathtubs are not perfect. They can be costly, and some drain extremely slowly, leaving the bather cold. If you’re thinking about a walk in tub, make sure you weigh all of the pros and cons.
Let’s Begin with the Benefits.
Safer In Many Ways Than Standard Bathtubs.
Walk in bathtubs are safer than traditional bathtubs, as they have lower thresholds for entry and exit to prevent tripping. They also have inside seating, which gives users stability and comfort while bathing. Aside from that, the majority of walk in bathtubs have grab bars and anti-slip flooring to keep users safe and prevent overflow.
Maximize Relaxation and Strengthen Health.
Walk in bathtubs provide therapy that will improve relaxation and well-being. Almost all of them feature hydrotherapy jets that help loosen muscles and increase circulation. Some tubs are equipped with air jets that evoke a soft, visceral flow, which can help alleviate aches and pains. You can also try chromotherapy or color therapy in walk in tubs. It also emits colored lights to calm and set the mood.
Some may include aromatherapy to let consumers receive the therapeutic benefits of essential oils in a bath. These therapeutic characteristics render the bathing experience luxurious and spa-like, ideal for rest and rejuvenation.
Used for Pain Relief and to Increase Circulation.
Walk in bathtubs can also help relieve pain and improve circulation, which is especially useful for those with chronic pain or poor circulation. Hydrotherapy jets provide high water pressure to stiff muscles and joints to help soothe discomfort.
This vascularization will help you heal faster, decrease swelling, and minimize pain. For people living with arthritis, fibromuscular patients, or any chronic illness, a walk in bathtub is a safe haven that will greatly improve the lives of those they care for.
The Depth of Water Also Allows For Better Buoyancy
You may choose to have your walk in bathtub deeper to enjoy a more luxurious, rejuvenating bathing experience. They also tend to be deeper tubs where one is fully immersed, enhancing hydrotherapy because the full body is immersed in the hot water. It is a total-body soak that will also elongate your sore muscles, unwind you, and let you relax.
Besides the increased depth, it makes it more buoyant as well, meaning less pain in joints and more ease of movement. The deeper tub capabilities of the walk in tub provide a huge advantage to bathers who are looking for a higher quality and efficient bathing experience.
Giving Patients Freedom At Home – Ensuring That They Can Stay Independent
A walk in bathtub can be a key component in making it easier for homeowners to stay at home with independence, especially when they’re elderly or mobile. Its shallow sides and simple-to-open doors save the user from climbing over tall walls, reducing the chances of slipping and allowing easy, non-assisted bathing. Built-in seats with strategically placed grab bars offer added comfort and stability.
These security options give people the freedom to care for their hygiene at home, which creates independence and security when bathing. Such freedom is important for living at a higher standard.
Let’s Now Explore Some of Its Downsides.
Let’s Explore Some of the drawbacks of These Tubs
First, they are slightly more expensive than conventional tubs. These special tubs can be expensive as they’re crafted from very high-quality materials with more features added to them. The initial cost of purchase is not the whole picture; the professional installation is also a possibility to ensure the fitting and function, which contributes to the cost as well. The price tag alone can be a hurdle for many customers, and walk in bathtubs may not be affordable for those with smaller budgets.
The Walk In Bathtub Might Need Major Renovations
The second issue with a walk in tub is that it might require significant modifications to your bathroom. There may be electrical and plumbing improvements. Unlike a conventional bathtub, walk in tubs typically must be added to an existing bathroom space to accommodate their unique shape. These modifications can be as simple as modifying pipes to match the drainage pipe and hose from the tub or installing an electrical system.
Power upgrades, such as hydrotherapy jets and heated seats, are necessary to accommodate more functionality. These renovations can be time-consuming and expensive, and involve professional contractors.
Size of the Water Heater Is Not Optimal
A third downside to getting a walk in bathtub is the fact that it may necessitate an upgrade in the water heater. A walk in tub needs plenty of hot water to fill. Water for a walk in bathtub will range in volume between 40 and 80 gallons or more, depending on how big your tub is. If the size of your water heater does not match the size of your tub, that will create a problem. However, many walk in tubs today have heaters built into them to keep the water warm.
Getting a bigger or more effective water heater can solve this, but that comes at another cost. Additionally, it will introduce another step in the installation. It can be as simple as replacing a unit and possibly rewiring the entire home’s plumbing and electrical components. In turn, relocating the water heater might add cost.
Walk In Bathtubs Take Longer to Fill and Drain
A fourth disadvantage of walk in bathtubs is the longer fill and drain times compared to conventional bathtubs. They have a deeper opening and more water, so the bath takes longer to fill up, which might make it longer to bathe. Draining the tub can also be much more time-consumingF, as the user must remain inside until it is thoroughly emptied. Unfortunately, this does create a messy situation. These fill/drain times are often time-consuming and may prevent consumers from maximizing the benefits of their soak.
Medicare Will Not Pay For Walk In Bathtubs
The fifth downside of walk in bathtubs is that Medicare does not cover them. This non-insured status is expensive for seniors and low-income people, which is a shame because some people could benefit from these therapeutic tubs. Though Medicare might cover some durable medical devices, these tubs are not. Unless Medicare provides funds, the homeowner must pay for the tub, installation, and remodeling. This extra expense can keep walk in tubs out of reach for many who would like them.
Your Walk in Bathtub Pros From MVP Plumbers
When you hire MVP Plumbers, you know you’re going to get a professional installation for your walk in bathtub. While these bathtubs are beneficial in many ways, they provide you with more safety, treatment, and the freedom to stay at home. They also have disadvantages: they’re more expensive, use more water, could require maintenance, and take a little longer to fill and drain.
Meeting Your Plumbing Needs in the Inland Empire
At MVP Plumbers, we know your home is your castle. So when there is a plumbing issue, you’ll need a plumber with experience, value, and service, and that’s where we can help! And let’s remember the new additions, such as a tankless water heater, walk in bathtub, new garbage disposal, and more. MVP Plumbers covers a vast area in the Inland Empire that includes Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, Sun City, Lake Elsinore, Winchester, Wildomar, Canyon Lake, and French Valley.
