What would you do with this walk in tub? Hold your horses...UPDATED!
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Like a few, I wish I had one! I have a bone degenerative disease and could really use this. If you see the need in the future using it, I would keep it. They are very expensive to replace.
I would use the tub for a month or more before deciding on whether to remove it, and if you do remove it, do as someone else said, and that is to donate it, as these cost anywhere from $5,000 to $7,000 or more dependent on the plumber & electricians costs. Most of these types have a hand held shower, and if yours doesn't, you could pick one up for less than $30. If you want to mainly use showers versus baths, then buy a portable shower head with hose and mount it to a wall, then buy a curtain rod and hang that with a shower curtain. Amazon sells numerous types of shower curtain rods: straight type/L shaped/rectangle ceiling types/ curved in/curved out and many more types of rods... look at those to also help you decide.
Since you also have a shower head in this set up I would keep the walk in tub and use it as a shower. As everyone has said these are expensive to put in and probably expensive to remove and reconfigure the area into just a shower. You never know when you may want to relax in there and take a nice relaxing tub bath sitting up. I know id love to have that option. Our master bath only has a shower and our main bathroom is used by our kids and its their job to keep it clean so I don't even attempt to take a nice relaxing tub bath in there lol. I'd be wiping the walls down instead of relaxing. Hahaha
I wanted one of these since my and hubby are older,,,contacted the company and for the smallest, cheapest one it was $12,000!!! so could not have one.,.they are great for elderly people or people with disabilities.....
Keep it. As others have mentioned, they are very expensive tubs. I imagine you'd be into major reno to remove it. Contact the company that makes the tub or a local plumbing place that installs them and ask them for decorating/enclosing ideas for shower usage. For now, just get yourself a glass of wine, get in, fill it with nice warm water, sit back and relax. I'm sure a good idea will come to you.
Unless I'm missing something, you have to sit in the darned thing, naked, freezing your bum off until it's full of water, and do the same until you can get out. Dumbest thing I ever heard of. You couldn't give me one. I'd try to sell it on Craig's list.
I agree keep it you will be getting older each day
I would leave it also but maybe do a faux/stone or tile finish on or in front of it to give it a warmer feeling..also you could have a shower door installedto help keep warmth in... tile the walls around it and install shower head.
My elderly mother had one installed a few years ago, and by the time the tile work was done, and removal of the old tub, it ran over 10K. She loves it, and really it's a god send for us kids knowing she has a safe bath. I would remove the wallpaper and have a nice tile installed in the surround. It can also be used as a tub shower, if you have a shower head installed at the right height. If you do not like the looks of it, I would simply add an attractive outside shower curtain, or cloth curtain of some sort that could be pulled across when the tub is not in use.
These tubs are soooo expensive! I would try it out first to see if you might like it. I understand they empty very fast. They will fill up fast too but you need to turn up your hot water heater to do this. I have an elderly friend who was hoodwinked into installing one of these tubs for $18,000 and her hot water tank could not fill it without running out of hot water! But see if it works for you.
You have a VERY expensive item there -- albeit ugly. New, with installation, $8-15K. If you really hate it, you might want to contact a contractor who is a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (NAHB.org/capsdirectory) in your state. S/he MIGHT be able to help find a new home for it. (But you should use them for any rebuild, just sayin'.) If you think you can live with it, and the rest of the home is "elder-friendly" (meaning single-level, 36" min on the doorways, etc.) because the "Boomers" are only getting older. It's hard to sell a home (2-story, "Colonial", you get my drift here) with a outdoor ramp, and a stair-lift. It is certainly not an appropriate tub for a house with children. You haven't told us: is this your first home? Do you plan to move? What's the neighborhood like? Is this your "forever" home? BTW: they drain quickly IF you are not on a well and have an older home with galvanized waste-water piping. Best of luck to you.
Poor baby! You have something everyone wants and can't afford! I would try it out before you ditch it. It really is a great tub, ugly but great. Shower curtains can do a great job of camouflage until you make up your mind.
I have to agree with everyone else. I put one in a few years ago & it cost me over $13,000. They told me that if I ever moved, it was considered an appliance so they could move it for me. Well, we moved last summer & when I checked to see how much it would be, I was horrified to learn it would cost me $7,500! I decided that I didn't love the tub that much so my DIL is now enjoying the tub as they bought the house.
Don't be concerned about getting cold while the tub drains. They are made to drain quite quickly. If my bathroom was cold, like in the worse part of winter, I'd just drape a towel around my shoulders.
Hang a shower curtain you love on the outside of tub and keep it closed. It will look like a normal tub. Cheaper than renovating.
Wow! I'd have one if I could afford it.When you are older this would be great to stay independent even so I'd keep it &yes I'd use it each day.Love these tubs its a God send working in healthcare you can appreciate there use & @home as well.
Yeow! My husband I and saw a commercial on TV last night about these. We both said we'd love one but then that "save up to $1500" made us think they must be really expensive! I never thought about having to wait to fill and empty one so that just made the decision a no brainer. It's a big fat o! Lol
Since your new address is visible, I Zillow-stalked the rest of the place. Envious of the garage storage. Those fussy wallpaper borders and the deer head have to go.
Seriously, just bring in an updated shower curtain and hang a new rod on the outside of the tub. Modern towels and accessories, maybe flip that bathroom vanity using Hometalk's favorite product Unicorn SPiT.
Wish I had one! When your in the 70's or some younger the Knees start getting bad,that would eliminate the problems that cause seniors to fall. As far as keeping warm install a heat lamp. Turn the heat lamb on close the door let it warm up before bathing. No matter what you have your going to experience a little chill or have the towel close by and while it drains start drying in the tub.
There is an added bonus to these tubs: I filled mine with straight hot water (we have a 60 gallon water heater) and added washing soda. I then put all the cushion covers from 2 sofas and 12 chairs into to soak, covering the entire tub with plywood to prevent splashing the bathroom walls. The tub has jets and in pipe heaters which keep the water hot as it circulates, so I turned the jets on for 15 minutes of every hour. By the end of the day those covers were WAY cleaner than spending $200.00 on dry cleaning - without the toxic chemical residues!
Just saying, think outside the box; it can provide delightful results.
I see your moose, and raise you to wolves. (Now gone!)
Believe it or not it's the best thing for planting potatoes....and it would make a good flower garden....
Have loved all the comments about this tub! Bernice, try it out, and use a shower curtain. It will keep the heat in while bathing. Good luck and let us know if you try it out!
I am perfectly mobile, young at heart, and I would love a tub like that! Just own it! Decorate as your style dictates, but I would not remove it unless it is not functional.
I would love to have a tub like that. I rely on an outdoor hot tub to remain mobile. Between my back and knee problems, if I miss my nightly dip, I can't walk the next day (Fortunately, I live in the desert where the temps rarely hit freezing.) If that puppy has jets and is functional, get in and use it. I bet after just a few nice soaks you'll be sold and will be looking for a way to design a dry desk so you can sit in the tub and work on your laptop!
One man's wolf is another man's moose. Would love a tub like that because at a certain age you aren't going down in a tub coz once you ARE down, ya ain't gittin up. I like moose I like wolves not necessarily in the bathroom or on the walls but it's what makes you happy and that my friends is what decorating is about. My house is what you may call eclectic. Lots of all kinds of stuff.
Ok, loved reading this one. It seems to me that your biggest problem is heat loss not privacy. So can I suggest a little DIY. If you go to a "recycle" type store. Many thrift stores as well as HFH will have shower doors that others have taken down. Use these glass panels to frame out around the tub on the "box" enclosure at the top and bottom of your tub. Leave the door area and equal distance past your door open and then hang a shower curtain in front of this area that you can pull back and forth. If this is beyond your ability a handy man should be able to do it for you inexpensively. Really it's like making framed windows screwing them together and to the bottom. A little work with great impact.
Another ideas is to find some nice curtains to hang from the ceiling around the outside edge of the tub. Hang a show curtain inside across the door area and a hurricane candle inside with you and there you go a peaceful quiet soak!
Good Luck
these tubs cost 3000 to 7000 call one of the companies and have a tech look at it..the doors are supposed to seal and the water should stay hot for at least 30 min
What about installing a heat lamp/light fixture in the ceiling above the tub, if you decide to keep the tub?
Thanks...but too many other things that really need attention. Who knows what else needs fixing on it besides the door that flooded..see initial post with update! 😳No more of this excitement for me! I appreciated the link a reader sent...lots to think about .
Get the tub out of there get a nice large tub and remove flooring because no doubt if 2 inches of water some has to gotten through. Sorry to hear that these people would not diclose this can't your attorney get them to pay for replacement since they didn't disclose this to you. Or if house has warranty maybe they can remove and replace but getting it fixed somehow you just know it's going to leak again.
I just got an estimate to have one of these, American Standard Brand, installed in anticipation of my 93 year old mother possibly living with me. You never know when you might need one, my hubby broke his hip and could not lift leg over the side of the regular tub. If you think you might need it some day, please call the manufacturer and inquire how much for a check and repair, may just need new gasket or something. BTW my estimate was, hold you socks on, $18,000.00, which included widening the bathroom door, they said it was a really good price. Can't imagine paying that for one unless you have unlimited funds. Anyway, look in to getting a repair estimate, may even be under warranty. Good luck in what ever you decide. ps they did not charge for the estimate, maybe they wouldn't for a repair estimate either.
They actually discounted it down to $14,000, took several offers and I just kept saying no. I did not buy nor did I check other vendors. Guess I am in the wrong Century, thought it might be couple of thousand, if they had given me a ball park figure, would have saved them and me a long 2 hours!. I knew none would bet down to my price so got the existing tub refinished instead. There was no immediate need for the walk in and I will get a tub transfer seat if necessary. I'm happy and my friend is happy who told me the one I have is a French soaking tub and much in demand, not sure where. Ya'll have a great day, I am looking forward to Spring, it's breaking out here.
Sounds like you made a great decision, a pretty bathroom makes me feel good every time I walk in it. My house was built in 1966 and I'm pretty certain I have the original tub. It's a little longer with sloped back and a little design on the side, nothing impressive to me but sure nice to take a soak!
I am a renter and I live in Las Vegas where they have Roman tubs??. I am handicap and elderly so I cannot use the tub which is in the master bath. So I rented a 2 bedroom because the second bath has a stall shower. It had a glass door which was a hindrance so I had that removed and I have a little stool and a shower curtain. Works perfect for me.
I plan on a walk in shower with a seat for our next bath redo. If a person needs help bathing or getting in and out you don't have to worry about opening a door to get to them etc. I also think they would be easier to clean by just wiping down the walls after shower and not needing to climb in to clean them. If you like the jets you can have them installed in a shower also. Just sayin'
Hello, have you thought of getting a tension rod and hanging a decorative shower curtain all the way across to hide it?
All I can tell you is that I WISH I COULD AFFORD ONE. 😍
Boy this post is an oldie.on the new shower….we removed the glass enclosure and just use a shower curtain. The door to the glass enclosure was 22inches wide! For some reason at store I fit through just fine..then at home I found I had to go in and out sideways…huh??? Well THATS not handy! 😅😂🤪🤪🤪
Oh dear, these tubs are a menace and expensive, you sit there buck naked waiting for it to fill and when waiting for it to drain, brrrrrrr. What were they thinking? What were we thinking? Get rid of it. a walk in shower is so much better, put in a seat if needed.
It sounds like getting rid of it was the best plan! What a mess you had to clean up - any warranty on it?
I would remove it. They really date a home, are not nice looking and take up a huge amount of room. Perhaps if you find someone who would buy it from you that would help off set the cost of removal.