Walk In Bathtubs
 

We are considering putting a walk-in bathtub in our house and wonder if anyone has had experience with these. IF so are you happy with yours and what kind did you get and what price point might we be looking at? Who did you work with to install it? All and any information you can provide would be appreciated.

I just bought a home and it has one installed. I am going to have it taken out next week. If you have a interst in looking at it or buying it a very good price. Cost over 13k new

I sent you a private message......

One thing to be sure and understand is how much water does the walk in tub require to function correctly.

Some may have a capacity that could tax your hot water supply capability.

Then there is the increased water usage as well as the energy to heat that much water.

Just do your home work on items like this that may not be readily apparent in the advertizing....for obvious reasons.

We're doing that.....compare the tub to a hottub IMHO it's a far better idea. You don't have to worry about keeping the PH healthy, a hottub has the heater going constantly (I would think) AND then there's the critters that love to hid underneath them as well. Bathtub (we've had whirlpool types before) aren't used daily but maybe a couple of times a week. The one we're looking at (TheraTub) uses less water than the average shower. BUT we wanted to know from folks who've ACTUALLY had and used one what their experiences have been. Not the comments from others who are speculating.

First models took forever to fill, you sat there cold waiting for water to rise. Newer model has a faster fill rate rate and a heater. Had one in a condo we used that had the newer model, felt safe getting in but just imagine getting in your empty regular tub and setting there waiting for it to fill. It's a chilly start. Best way is to have a shower installed with it, start with a shower, letting the tub fill and then finish with the water for a bath.
Would not spend the money on it, we spent less on a spa, constant temperature, with little upkeep with the new heaters and chemicals. Even with outside temps in single digits cost is about $30 month for six person spa

We have such a small bath tub that I plain don't fit well in it. We bought a Softub hot tub. It only weighs 80 pounds and can roll into an existing door of a bird cage. It cost just $10 a month to run. It is low to the ground and easy to get in and out of it. The chemical balance thing is a piece of cake. I put a small cholorine tablet in a floater once a week and some occasional spa up.

In a former life this would be a consideration but at our house we have rheumatoid arthritis to contend with and crawling over a side or even utlizing a staircase is difficult at best. THUS the idea of a walk-in tub sounds more appealing. Have done the spa thing at friend's homes and it's difficult...plus the ride home after and having the suits to deal with too. One doesn't realize how difficult life is with an "invisible disease" and the handicaps that go with it. Even crawling over a side that's "low to the ground" may be difficult. Now...if it were 25 yrs ago we'd be talking a different game. I hesitated asking the original question as I figured there would be ALL the speculatory answers and the ones of "this is what I'd do" instead of actually answering the question of "what has been your experience with...." The new tubs are quite different than even 5 yrs ago with having the "chill" etc etc. etc.

I have a walk-in bathtub which is about ten years old. I love it.

I see this strayed to hot tubs, so if OP you were considering this in place of a hot tub, IMHO, please talk to a hot tub supplier (we used Spa Kingdom), and see what they may have for your condition. You may be surprised.
With regard to hot tubs, these are very well insulated, I have the heat on in the winter, and OFF in the summer, it actually takes DAYS for the hot tub to cool off. I have seen maybe a $10 to $20 increase (depending on season) for the 1000 gallon hot tub. I do have T&D clean and add chemicals as needed, currently $71/month, I ma start doing this myself.
I do have lower back pain, and I tend to use this 3 times or more per week, for around 1/2 hour, I keep the temp at 100 degrees so I can safely use for this amount of time. Installed cost (3 years ago) was $10,000 which as I understand is below that of a walk in tub.
OP, you may have options, so before you make up your mind look at all of your options.
Hope this helps, feel free to send me a PM and I will be glad to discuss further over the phone.

We have an american standard and my wife loves it. It was expensive (near 15 k) but when mama ain't happy....

Thank you for the response! There is one other one from a man who bought one for his wife and it too was positive!!

In response to the man (VillageTinker) who said to check Spa Kingdom....I don't want a whirl-pool or spa. I've tried those out when I was invited to friend's homes and they don't work for me!! Mobility is really the issue along with the pain factors etc. We are doing our home-work and this site is part of it. Checking around and getting feed-back and information! To spend the $$$ that one of these entails...one needs information too.

I understand, just offering the information, I can completely understand the differences between a walk-in tub and a hot tub. Hope you get enough info to help with your decision.