Features of Walk in Baths

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If you happen to have mobility problems simply getting in and out of the bath can be a major struggle, especially if you don’t have any form of assistance. So why not choose to replace your current bath with a walk in bath? Walk in baths can make anyone’s bathing experience so much easier and safer whilst also giving you a little more independence in your own home. This guide should outline some of the main features you can expect to find on walk in baths.

Walk in baths doors

There are a variety of useful features on walk in baths, all designed for your safety and ease whilst using them. The most obvious feature that can be found on most walk in baths is the easy access door on the bath. Doors on walk in baths have a lower entry point, allowing you to easily step in and out of them. The actual height of the low entry point can differ for different models of walk in baths, so it’s a good idea to ask the supplier which walk in baths have the lowest entry point if you have a lot of difficulty with raising your legs. The door should not leak, as all walk in baths come with anti-leak seals as standard. This means that all walk in baths from reputable suppliers are fully watertight.

There are two ways in which walk in baths doors can open. Some walk in baths have an inward opening door and some walk in baths some have an outward opening door, with the former being the most common. Having an inward door on walk in baths helps to save space in the bathroom, especially if is a little smaller than most, as the door only takes up the room inside of the bath. They will of course open in a convenient way so that you can still get out of walk in baths. It also removes the risk of the door becoming an obstruction as outward doors on walk in baths could become if left open. However, unlike an outward door, an inward door cannot be opened while walk in baths still have water in, as the water pushes against the door keeping it sealed shut. This may become a problem if there is an emergency, as you would be unable to open the door on walk in baths until the water is fully drained.

Safety seats on walk in baths

Another common feature of many walk in baths is a safety seat. This keeps you in an upright position and can help ease the process of getting in and out of walk in baths. Some walk in baths may even come with a power seat instead of a standard seat, allowing you to lower yourself into the water and then raise yourself back up again when you wish to exit the bath. But not all walk in baths come with a safety seat, so make sure if you wish for one in your bath, you choose a model that comes with one as standard. As an added peace of mind, the bath seat in walk in baths is slip-resistant, so you stay firmly in place. The base of walk in baths should be slip-resistant, also.

Quick fill and quick drainage on walk in baths

Since you are sat in walk in baths as they are filling and draining, and cannot exit the bath until this is complete, walk in baths often come with quick fill and quick drainage systems. These both work as the names imply: quick fill means that walk in baths fill quicker than a standard bath would, and quick drainage means that walk in baths empty quicker than a standard bath would, both very useful features.

Optional extras on walk in baths

There are other features of walk in baths that some suppliers may list as optional extras, although some may come as standard with certain models. One of these is the temperature control taps, often referred to as the thermostatically controlled taps. On walk in baths, this usually comes in the form of mixer taps, and monitors the temperature of the water as it is flowing out of the taps making sure it is the right temperature. Another feature many walk in baths can have installed as an extra is a hydrotherapy system. This system circulates bubbles around walk in baths in a similar way to a spa system and helps to ease any aches or pains.

Size and style of walk in baths

You may have put off buying a bath due to worry that it would not fit into your bathroom. But there is no need to worry about this, as there is a huge range of walk in baths on the market, and many of these are compact walk in baths. This means they may be smaller length wise, but are made to be deeper so you still get the full bathing experience no matter the size of your bathroom. Other walk in baths that are a little bigger are made to fit perfectly in the space a conventional bath would fit it. There is usually a variety of styles for different models of baths, so walk in baths can easily fit in with the style of your bathroom without you having to redecorate!