Walk-in bathtubs ..., eBrandon discussion (2025)

Doreen Winona Logeot

Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2668

We are seriously thinking of building a house in the near future and as we are a retirement couple I have thought a walk-in bathtub would be great in the ensuite. Does anybody on eBrandon have one and what do you think of it? Is there anywhere in Brandon where there are some on display? Has anyone priced any? Any other thoughts would be greatly appreciated too.
Thanks so much for your help.

katwalk1909
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 7097

With our recent bath renovations, we considered a walk in tub. We did not get one for the following reasons.

Cost. A regular soaker (20 inches high) tub without jets costs $250. The walk in ones were far more expensive.

How much water will it take to fill it up? I understand it was considerably more than a regular tub.

How often do you use a tub or is a shower the preference? Our frequency was over 90% of the time we want a shower. We focused on a good shower stall that was available as a tub for the once or twice a month that we may need a soak. A curved shower curtain rod has greatly opened up the area and makes maneuvering without hitting the plastic curtain a pleasant experience.

There are other aids that can be added to a regular tub should you find climbing in and out a problem. My husband has already selected a sling seat that lowers you into the tub and back out should we ever require assistance.

A long shower hose (60 to 72 inches) will help if we have to sit in the shower to clean. I think this will be my solution when I get older.

Home Hardware had a sale on bathroom fixtures but they are back to regular prices. The service they gave us when we bought the sale priced items would have been worth the regular price.

Rona has a moderate selection but the larger items may have to be ordered in. I purchased the new faucets because they had the same features as the name brands elsewhere but were 25% to 40% cheaper. Our contractor was impressed with the quality of the first one so we bought a second one for the basement.

Home Depot is near our home and has the widest selection for all budgets. Wayne and Pappy have been a great source of help with our numerous decisions.

I hope I have not discouraged you from pursuing this item. I wrote this post because we went through the same decision one month ago and maybe our experience and the information we found will help you with your decisions.

Doreen Winona Logeot

Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2668

there is lots to think about. We are both "bath" people and I expect that we will both be, at some point, needing something more than a just a basic bathtub. If we were buying a home I know that one with a walk-in tub would be very appealing ... but your comment, Sean, about resale value has made me think ... what do others think? I am sure we would purchase the type that had the whirlpool like jets in it.
Katwalk, you did not discourage me, but you have certainly given me food for thought which is exactly why I posted this question. You mentioned that your "husband has already selected a sling seat that lowers you into the tub and back out should we ever require assistance" ... would you be able to tell me what that is like (maybe a link) and how it compares in price to a walk-in.
While looking in new homes to get ideas I did see one tub will two built in seats ... while I saw the use of it, it did not appeal to me. After helping people bath while sitting on a bathstool ... well, lets just say, its not what I would want.
Any more thoughts would be very much appreciated.
Thanks again

Lou Davis
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2

Be careful and do some research on BBB or Consumer Affairs websites. Avoid new Companies, as many are starting up selling sub Quality bathtubs made outside the USA. After there are problems, the company can’t afford to honor the warranty, go out of business and start up under a different company. Many claim to be made in USA, and are not. Many claim they are approved for use in US with all code approvals, most are not. Does it come with an anti-scolding mixing valve? A required nailing flange if being mounted against wall? (Most are installed against the wall and this is required). Does it have a secondary door drain as required? Cheap Plastic drain with pull chain? Are you capable of using pull chain?
Is the door seal etched into the door itself or just glued on? Is the door a 1 piece construction, seams may leak water into the door.

What guarantee is offered? Who do you call for service? Automated machine or humans? Does the Company offer referrals? Is the Company a BBB member? Why not? I have 3 years experience installing these tubs.

Lou Davis
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2

Falling in the bathroom is one fear most customers have. Not to be able to step over the existing tub safely. The hydrotherapy benefit is another reason. To relax yourself and ease some aches and pains.
Who would pay that price?

Philip Fenn
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2

I do agree, a company should provide referrals as well as being an accredited member of the BBB. Education is the best step to purchasing anything and Walk In Baths are no different. Seabridge Bathing is the company that has all of these things, BBB accredited, 8 different models to choose from, complete installation, if there are warranty issues they are dealt with locally, all door seals have a life time guarantee. When it comes to aging and wanting to stay in your own home or condo longer and be able to enjoy the benefits of a bath independently then a Seabridge Walk In Bath is for you. Not only does it give you that independence it also gives you the benefit of air therapy jets which help ease off some of the pains associated with aging. All of our products come with showers and dual drains, as far as the comment regarding the ability to pull out a drain, all of our baths are made for seniors as well as people with disabilities and are based on 5 pounds pressure for ease of use. If you have any questions regarding this comment please feel free to contact me.
Philip Fenn
Seabridge Bathing Manitoba ( BBB Accredited )
Seabridge Bathing Corporation founded in 1999
204-282-5520
www.seabridgebathing.com

Doreen Winona Logeot

Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2668

this has certainly given me a lot of food for thought. Would anyone know of any stores in Brandon where there would be display models available to look at? One thing that this thread has done has made me a little more undecided, but that is what it is all about ... it is good to be well informed before making a decision like this one.
Thanks again

Philip Fenn
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2

I do not have a show room in Brandon but if you would like to give me a call I can arrange for you to see one installed in Brandon. 282-5520
Sincerely
Philip Fenn
Seabridge Bathing Manitoba

Hi, just came across your post regarding walk in tubs.
I was out with family looking for equipment and seen at Rolling Spokes (on 1st Street) that they have 2 different display models. Wonderful and helpful people I might add. Stop by and see - they have so many different items that I would have never though of in there store.
I believe that I seen a sign stating a sale on them as well.

Bright Spark
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 9109

I have been able to see a walk in tub and see how it operates. To me they are an awesome answer for those with limited mobility...and make an awesome shower.

I truly think it depends on whether you like a shower or a bath.

Otherwise if in your old age you may need a lift ...an electric Aqua Lift chair operated by a remote ...works like a charm. To get in and out of the tub a person gets into the chair in the tub and presses the dial to get lowered into the tub.
Awesome aid to bathing I have to say, if limited with movement etc.

Fireman76
Joined: This month
Posts: 215

Install the these types of tubs. i can answer any of the install questions you might need answered.

craftymom
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1239

just helped my parents with the same thing. They wanted a tub like you are thinking for my mom as they were redoing the bathroom to make life easier for her. Their house being in the west end with lots of bedrooms, it will probably be purchased next by a family, and we thought that kind of tub may affect resale, so instead got a lift chair that you sit on outside the tub and it lowers you in. From home health on vic by the royal oak.

You can consider how long you will be living there, it may be worth it, what kind of people are likely to buy your home? One in the master bath may not affect it, or maybe you will get enough use out of it that in years down the road it would still be cost effective to replace it with a regular tub before you sell.

Also learned through this it has to be part of a whole re do as the floor and at least 2 walls have to be replaced, good luck!

Doreen Winona Logeot

Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2668

this has been great information and I have learned a lot ... as always when asking a question on eBrandon .
At the moment our house building plans have been put on hold so we have not made the decision of what to do at this point concerning the ensuite tub. I seem to have inherited my mom's knees and it is a consideration that sitting on a seat in the tub then lifting my legs up into it may be a concern at some point ... I certain hope not but it is probably the main reason I originally thought of the walk-in as an option (my husband also has hip problems at times ... another concern).
At 52 I hope to be able to live in our new house for 50 more years (remember ... I said "hope", lol) ... I do think that the walk-in tub would make that much easier.
When I know for sure what our plans are and when we will be making the step ahead I will get in touch with someone and have a better look at what they are like and the options. I do know of a woman in Souris who has one and at first was not very happy with it, but over time grew to love it and would not be without it now.