What is the height of the threshold on the walkin bathtub?
The lower the threshold height the easier it will be to enter and leave the handicap bathtub and the prime reason for buying a walk-in tub is to allow ease of entry & access from the tub.
How wide is the walk in tub door opening?
The wider the better as this allows for easier, safer entry and exit from the handicap bath tub.
Do I need air or water jets?
Gentle air jets typically offered by most walkin bathtub manufacturers are a better choice for older people due to increased bruising as we age. The air jets oxygenate the water & typically increase blood flow to the body often resulting in reduced pain. The water jets are powerful & may be too much for older users.
How many gallons of water are required to fill my walkin bath to the operating level?
If you have a 40 gallon hot water heater and your handicap bathtub requires 70 gallons you may not get enough hot water to fill your walkin tub to your comfort level. Replacing the water heater could add substantial cost to your handicap bathtub purchase.
Will the handicap bathtub fit through my door openings?
Consider how many door openings the walk in bath will need to pass through to reach your bathroom and determine the narrowest opening. This will indicate the size of the widest handicap bathtub possible in your home without needing to widen doorways.
What type of warranty is being offered?
Most companies offer lifetime warranties on the door seal & vary substantially on the warranty for rest of the walk in bathtub from as little as 1 year to as much as Lifetime. A walk-in tub will be installed once and having the best warranty from a solid US based company is important for peace of mind.
Where is the tub manufactured?
To reduce costs and be more competitive some walkin tubs are manufactured outside of the USA which typically reduces the cost of the handicap bathtub due to lower labor rates and sometimes inferior quality products. You could be left with trying to convince a foreign company to make good on your handicap bathtub investment.
Is there a difference between Made in the USA compared to Assembled in the USA?
To reduce costs some handicap bathtub suppliers purchase parts for their walkin tubs in foreign countries which could result in an inferior product and possible warranty issues.
Do I need a heat pump to maintain water temperature?
Hot water in your walk in bathtub may cool down quickly & if the capacity of the water heater is not large enough to supply hot water on short demand other options may be necessary.
These may include purchasing a separate heating unit or buying a handicap bathtub with an upgraded pump that automatically heats the air as it blows through the jets resulting in the water temperature being maintained at a comfortable level.
How long will it take for the walkin bath tub to drain?
With all walk in tubs it is necessary to sit in the tub while the water drains before the door can be opened. This could take anywhere from 3-8 minutes depending on the drain system supplied with your handicap tub. For this reason it is important to purchase a walkin bathtub with an upgraded quick drain system.
For more information about Walkin Bathtubs, Please visit my site http://www.universaldesignspecialists.com/ and also visit our blog http://handicapshower.blogspot.com/ |
