Walk in bath

A useful guide to buying a walk in bath

Guide to buying a walk-in bath

Not all walk-in baths are the same. They might look similar, but as with most products these days it pays to understand exactly what you are looking at. But surely a bath is a bath? - you might be saying. If it were only that simple there would be no problem. The reality is a little more complex.

Manufacturers of the cheap and cheerful rely on the notion that 'If it looks like a bath it must be a bath'. Unless you understand what you are looking at you may be buying a device that will get you wet in all sorts of ways you hadn't bargained for!

The most complicated components of a walk-in bath are the door and its seal. Many have tried to get this right, most have failed. Believe it or not, the door and seal will be the difference between you enjoying your purchase or wishing you'd never heard of such a bath. Get this wrong and you have much to worry about!

Which way should the door on a walk in bath open?

This is a matter of significant debate. Imagine for yourself the practicalities of inward and outward opening doors.

Firstly, there is a matter of space, both inside and outside the bath. An outward opener takes up absolutely no space within the bath. This is a practical reality and one which should be considered.

Secondly, as if without saying, an inward opening door takes up no room outside the bath but does cause a small obstruction while entering or exiting.

Then there is the matter of 'water-tightness'. Water weighs a surprising amount. Water pushing on the back of the door will have a different affect on the two types of opener. It will push the outward opener outward and in doing so challenge the door locking mechanism and potentially weaken the effectiveness of the seal. It will push the inward opening door hard into it's seat within the door's frame potentially improving the effectiveness of the door seal. It is virtually impossible to open an inward opening door when the bath is full because of the weight of water pushing against it. This of course is a good thing. One doesn't want to flood the bathroom! As you can probably imagine, failure of the door locking mechanism on an outward opening door would prove catastrophic!!

General appearance

You will be able to glean much about the quality you're buying into when you look at the general appearance of a product. How a manufacturer chooses to finish something speaks volumes about the thought gone into designing it and the care gone into making it. A poor finish or a poorly thought out idea suggests the manufacturer is happy to 'make do'.

Actual examples of a poorly finished products follow:

1) One manufacturer considers it OK to finish the joint between the two halves of a door moulding with a strip of silver duct tape. A manufacturer who cares how a product looks and how it will face the test of time would hardly settle for sticky tape!

2) To cut costs, a manufacturer reduces the expense of designing bath panels by utilising extruded plastic strips that one might find as cladding on the outside of a house!

3) Some manufacturers are clearly puzzled when it comes to door closing mechanisms. There are those who seem to think a lever that looks like the thigh bone from a dinosaur is acceptable. There are others who need complex mechanical linkages better suited to the rear doors on an articulated lorry.

Once you start to look you'll know to whom we refer! There's an old adage - 'If it looks wrong it probably is.' Don't settle for any nonsense from any salesmen. These baths need not look like hideous institutional torture devices, a walk in bath should adorn your bathroom as an entirely practical means of bathing. It is poor design that leads to ugly features - nothing more.

Short or Tall walk in bath?

Convention tends to suggest a standard bath should be approx 1700mm long (or 1500mm long if a compact model). But examine the sense of what you intend to buy before making your investment. Whilst a conventional looking bath will integrate easily to an existing bathroom, will it offer the additional ease of use you need? A taller 'tub type' bath might significantly change the look of your bathroom but it will offer unique benefits including a higher seat position (making it easier to sit down or stand up) and something to hold on to when entering or exiting the bath (reducing dependency on assistance, enhancing safe use which in turn can translate to dignity through privacy).

Simplicity means reliability

It is an indisputable fact that the more complicated something becomes the more likely it is to suffer reliability issues. Take a car as a good example. The more gadgets and gizmos you have on a car the more you are likely to suffer from breakdown. This simple logic applies to everything. There is a wonderful acronym 'KISS' - Keep It Simple Stupid! Probably the best advice anybody will ever give you. Bathing should be a simple task, not complicated with bells, whistles and gadgets. At the end of the day all you want to do is bathe. A nice whirlpool to massage your cares away is wonderful, but leave it at that.

If you find sitting down and standing up difficult then consider changing the style of bath to one with a higher seating position. This negates the need for complex lifting equipment. A bath that requires no moving equipment must logically offer you years of 'trouble free motoring'.

Walk in bath safety

It really doesn't need much of an imagination to understand the very real risks of using a walk-in bath. Consider... to bath you must firstly undress, then enter the bath through the door - closing it before you sit down and begin to fill with water. It is at this moment the user is exposed to serious risk. If water entering the bath does so at an unsafe temperature serious scalding can occur. Reduced sensitivity that often afflicts elderly people and those with impaired or reduced mobility now becomes a very serious problem.

The solution to this problem is simple but it needs to be addressed.

The addition of a device known as a Thermostatic Mixing Valve (TMV) solves this problem. The TMV installs to the water supply pipes en-route to the taps on the bath. The device (which can be adjusted to your setting) limits the maximum temperature that hot water can enter the bath - thus preventing scalding. People who peddle cheap or second-rate products based on price are unlikely to care whether you fit such a device because of the additional cost. If they don't care about the quality of the bath they are hardly likely to care about the welfare of those who use it. DON'T USE A WALK-IN BATH WITHOUT A TMV. Don't let anybody talk you out of using a TMV. If they try, simply walk away from them - they are cowboys who are placing you in serious jeopardy!

There are many cases of scalding recorded each year. The more serious cases can result in an excruciating death. Laws are being put in place to address this issue. In the mean time don't become one of the statistics.

Bath packages are available that include Bath, Panels, TMV and either a Bath Shower Mixer or a Bath Mixer and separate shower. Lever controls are available. However, a walk in bath does not necessarily need lever operated taps, there are many traditional and contemporary designs that offer the benefits of controls that are easy to operate with wet or weak hands without looking institutional.

Benefits to adapting your property for disabled living

You might like to check this out with you local Council. If you adapt a property for use by a disabled person you can often qualify for a reduction in Council Tax. It is generally argued that a property adapted for the living requirements of a disabled person (special bathing facilities, hand rails, ramps, etc) suffers a drop in value - not to mention the cost of the adaptation. You may be entitled (having converted your bathroom and/or any other part of your property) to a reduction. Contact your local Rating Authority if you wish to investigate further. The following link may also be of assistance -

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/YourlocalcouncilandCouncilTax/CouncilTax/DG_10037422

You might also find (depending on your circumstances) that you might be entitled to a grant to fund, either fully or partially, a project to convert your dwelling to make bathing (or life in general) more easy. Check with your Local Authorities and Citizens Advice for points of contact.

VAT Exemption on walk in baths

Exemption from paying VAT is available on walk in baths providing you (the purchaser) are buying for your own use and you qualify for exemption. We are always happy to advise. Please don't hesitate to call.

To summerise

1. Buy a bath that truly reflects and fulfils your needs. Don't buy a bath simply because 'it sort of fits in with what you have been used to seeing'. Sticking to tradition won't necessarily serve your needs.

2. Buy a product that has been well designed and finished. Attention to detail will give you some idea of how well the bath is made and how well it will withstand the test of time.

3. Ensure you fit a TMV to the incoming water supply. Safety is paramount.

4. Enquire whether you are eligible for VAT exemption - the product qualifies but do you?

FINALLY

DON'T buy from a door to door salesman. After all, why should you? You are intelligent enough to know what you want without a pushy salesman telling you. Sadly, with promises of high profit margins walk-in baths have attracted the attention of the predatory high-pressure salesmen who will sit in your house (for hours if necessary) until you agree to buy from them. Sales techniques are similar to those employed with double glazing and can involve emotional bullying! These hyena type creatures who visit you at home will give many reasons why you should only buy from them.

We have collated a range of the most popular and fantastic excuses why you shouldn't buy 'from the internet':

The 'Salesmen's Hit Parade of Excuses'

1. You never get a guarantee

2. For that price you will be getting a second-hand or reconditioned bath

3. No after sales backup

4. Internet products are cheap rubbish

5. You'll never see what you order and loose your money

6. Their price includes fitting (where ours doesn't). This is true, but fitting is very simple . Don't let anybody tell you otherwise. Fitting should not cost you any more than having a standard bath installed. Remodelling a bathroom should not cost you a small fortune. Do not be conned into believing otherwise.

7. Our baths can't be the same or as good because they are so much cheaper. (This is nonsense. In many cases we may supply the salesman's company!) It is our endeavour to offer you genuine savings on a massive scale. You are purchasing direct from a reputable trade supplier at a genuine trade price. Our charges are transparent from the outset. There are no hidden charges and we will not inflate the price as we go along. If anything, we will help you save money wherever the opportunity presents itself!

8. There are numerous other ways to discredit purchasing from the internet. Don't allow unscrupulous sales people run down such a wonderful institution. There's nothing wrong with the internet itself, just be careful how and who you choose to do business with! If you are unsure just call us for a chat - we will happily talk with you without obligation.

For the record, all products offered for sale on our website are brand new, delivered straight from the factory, are of premium quality (we are specialists who simply won't deal with anything else) and carry a full guarantee. If there is anything you feel uncomfortable with please don't hesitate to call us.

Our best advice... don't invite salesmen (or women) into your home. If you were buying a three-piece suite or curtains you probably wouldn't, so why should a bath be treated differently? A local plumber, competent DIY'er or tradesperson is quite capable of installing a bath so ignore any suggestion that specialists (at ridiculous rates) are necessary.

We hope to put an end to the shady business certain con-artists are peddling in a vulnerable community. DON'T BE TRICKED BY THEM. It will only cost you a phone call to find out for yourself.

=======================