When buying a walk-in tub, there are many things that you need to consider, from the size of the tub to the features you want to be included. But even after you’ve selected your tub, there are other important things to keep in mind for the walk-in tub’s installation. By giving these items the time and attention they deserve, you’ll help your tub installation to go much more quickly and smoothly.
Drain and Plumbing Placement
This is something you need to pay attention to when buying your tub, but it’s particularly applicable to the installation process. With a standard tub, you can easily turn the tub 180 degrees to ensure the drain and plumbing are located on the same side as the tub cutout. But because a walk-in tub has a door on one side, it doesn’t have this same maneuverability.
Walk-in tubs can be right-handed or left-handed, which refers to which side of the tub the drain and plumbing are on. Make sure you’re purchasing a tub that has these on the same side as your current tub cutout. Otherwise, you’re not going to be able to install your new tub without rerouting the plumbing.
Flooring and Wall Tiles
You should also take a look at the flooring and wall tiles around your current tub to determine if any will need to be removed or if any additional wall or floor tiles will need to be added around your new walk-in tub. While walk-in tubs are designed to fit into your existing tub cutout, they tend to be taller than a standard tub. This means they will reach higher up your walls, and so you’ll most likely need to remove some of those wall tiles.
In some cases, depending on the size of your current tub, the walk-in tub might also be slightly narrower, which means you’ll have to add some more flooring around the new tub for a seamless look. If you plan for this ahead of time, you can ensure you have any additional flooring or wall tiles you’ll need and get those details handled more quickly.
Bathroom Access
Ensuring your new tub will fit in your old tub’s cutout is just the first consideration in terms of tub size. You must also consider how that new tub will get into the bathroom in the first place. Narrow hallways, doorways, and tight turns can make it extremely difficult to navigate your new tub into the bathroom. Talk to your installer to see what you can do to enable easier access to your bathroom.
