walk in shower bath anyone have one?

ninjaef

My legs aren't good following a motorcycle accident 30yrs ago and now joints are ravaged with arthritis. I can get in and out of baths and pools but it would be so much easier if my bath/shower was a walk in one, one of  those "L" shape baths where the shower part is walk in .. but I was wondering...
1. why are they so expensive 
2. are they reliable
3. i live in a bungalow, small bathroom, would this put people off or is it a bonus?
4. worth adding spa jets?

thanks in advance moneysavers

twopenny

I'm still younger than my neighbours and did a lot of looking at bungalows with various bathrooms.
The only one that was scarey was a massive round walk in bath in tan. But it didn't put off buyers 
Ive seen just about everything in the lines and none put people off. They can put in a new bathroom or it may be an asset.

You may want to consider that you have to wait wet and cooling for the water to drain but it may be worth it for the benefits of a bath.
You could have a wall fan heater for a heat boost if you're bathing.

Reliable? I remember when they first came out there were problems with the seals. Now we have review sites you should be able to find the good ones.

Also if you want grab handles there are some smart modern ones now that look really smart and not what they are at all 
Spa jets? I'm thinking the same as they work well - I've been put off by the water hanging around in the pipes and making mould so needing cleaning a lot. But things may have changed.
I'd go for them in your situation. It can be a good massage.

As for price I found the guys in city plumbing bathroom design (possibily other companies too) were really helpful and may be able to suggest cheaper ways of achieving the same.

ninjaef

thats a wonderful helpful reply..
i shall look at city plumbing

may i ask
specifically
the walk in shower bath or normal shower bath...the walk in has connotations and disabled perception perhaps. ?? to attract buyers in future should i stick with standard bath shower or would a walk in be ok, perhaps even an advantage...ive no idea.

Marmaduke123

Personally I think a walk in shower bath would really put potential purchases off.

Also, if for your own use, you have to wait for the bath to fill after you enter it, and to empty after you have finished if used as  bath.

A walk in shower would be fine, although potential purchasers might be put off by lack of a bath.

ninjaef

THANKYOU
yes, obvious but not realising, one would have to sit in the bath for it to fill. never thought of that
ok
so normal bath shower it is
just need to decide if i want wirlpool but again, i never considered a point raised above...water left in pipes, damp pipes when empty, and smelly mould...mmm

so maybe just a quality bath shower it is

???

ka7e

My husband has mobility issues and we have a low-profile bath upstairs with shower over, but he couldn't lower himself safely into the water or get out, even with safety handles. We converted a downstairs store room into a shower room with large walk-in shower. He has a stool to sit on and a long non-slip safety mat. He gets dry while still sat in the shower and transfers to sit on the closed loo to dress.

I researched the disability baths, but imagine that sitting while they fill and empty would be very inconvenient. Alternatively there are motorised bath lifts, but they sit quite high in the base of the bath and need a lot of water to get an adequate depth for bathing

twopenny

There is a type of fabric seat that pulls out of a box on the wall and attaches to the other side.
You shuffle from the side of the bath onto it and a motor slowly lowers you in or raises you up after.
It stows away and is easily removed.

I've looked at the low bath just on monday but it won't have enough water to cover you which is needed to relieve painful joints or muscles.
So I decided a normal one with handles  would be best. Sit on side, get legs over and ease down.
Make sure there is something stuck as a firm grip on the bottom for getting out. 

I'm also getting a wave grab handle on the wall side of shower/bath for balance while climbing out and creakilly trying to wash feet.  

I have a small walk in shower in an en suite so have opted for the shower tap combo so I can sit on the side of the bath, swing (scramble) legs over and rinse my feet (sand etc), exfoliate legs, wet hair down without a full shower.
It's about making it suit your lifestyle. No 'normal' bathroom is going to suit the next person and they will replace. 
And the shower,bath that I saw didn't put off buyers.
You should see the mess of the bungalow I bought and my neighbour at the same time! I'll post photos later.....

twopenny

   Straight grab handle - looks a lot better than the old ones.

Wavey one from lots of suppliers and 3 sizes

https://www.completecareshop.co.uk/bathroom-aids/grab-rails/stainless-steel-grab-rails/spa-stainless-steel-grab-rail-curved?sku=P01339&sv_tax1=google&sv_tax2=shopping&sv_tax3=Bathroom_Aids&sv_tax4=product_type&sv_campaign_id=20263762259&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIiLGDqLPL_wIVUOvtCh1T3Q1iEAQYASABEgIlDvD_BwE

This type of mixer tap shower is also an added option to sit and rinse bits though mine is to be a 1920's themed one - again lots of varieties and suppliers

https://www.plumbworld.co.uk/architeckt-malmo-bath-shower-mixer-tap-19587-1262407

For horrible showers in houses this is only part with a seat and macerator drain. Even the back board isn't cut straight.........but it must have suited someone and I bought it.

The massive brown round walk in bath in my neighbours house when she bought it gave me the creeps - but she now has an ultra modern shower room

It's the location of a bungalow, views and room size etc that will sell it. Another neighbour passed away recently and her bathroom was the original millenium bathroom in beige - it's not that big but has an offer of £4oo,000+ which is £80,000 over the standard price just because someone wanted it.

Alderbank

ninjaef said:

just need to decide if i want wirlpool but again, i never considered a point raised above...water left in pipes, damp pipes when empty, and smelly mould...mmm

It's much more serious than smelly mould, unpleasant though that is.

The water droplets produced by whirlpool baths carry a real risk of legionella infection unless disinfection procedures are maintained.
Legionella kills many older people every year.

Chloe_G

My mother has an electric bath lift which works on a rechargable battery.  It is really good and easy to use.  It adheres to the bath by suction so can be removed when necessary.  Would recommend it.  https://www.completecareshop.co.uk/bathroom-aids/bath-lifts/electric-bath-lifts/bellavita-bath-lift-white?sku=Q12461

Simonon77

I would get whatever suits you to be honest. Don't worry about it maybe putting off future buyers ( it could be they see it as a bonus if they have mobility issues ) as most people seem to rip out perfectly good bathrooms and kitchens these days as soon as they move in anyway.