Walk-In Bathtub Installation for Small Accessible Bathrooms

Author: Bonnie Toews
Published: 10 Feb 2009 - Updated: 24 Sep 2026
Publication Type: Informative

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content

Synopsis

This information follows an Ontario contractor through a real bathroom renovation for a retired couple whose husband was living with Parkinson's disease and progressive loss of balance, showing how a cramped, awkward space can become a safe and functional accessible bathroom for about the same cost as a standard one. It stands out because it describes the steps behind the result as well as the result itself: visiting long-term care facilities to study institutional fixtures, meeting with the client's occupational therapist to plan grab bar and support placement, researching accessibility standards for housing, and checking the crawl space for heat, moisture, and mold before any plumbing or electrical work began. With Statistics Canada projecting close to 10 million Canadians aged 65 and over by 2031, the article is a practical reference for seniors, people with mobility disabilities, family caregivers, and contractors who want homes that support aging in place without feeling like a hospital room.*

At a Glance

• 1 - The chosen tub weighs 120 pounds and is made in Canada from fiberglass rather than the heavier steel used in some imports.
• 2 - The tub floor sits only two inches above the house floor, while most other walk-in tubs require stepping over a seven-inch ledge.
• 3 - Its wider door swings outward, making it easier to remove someone quickly in an emergency than tubs with narrow inward-opening doors.
• 4 - Optional hydrotherapy features include 4-jet water action or 12-jet warm air massage, which may help people with arthritis, circulation problems, and sore muscles.

Topic Definition

Walk-In Bathtub

A walk-in bathtub is a bathtub with a watertight door built into its side wall, so the user can step or shuffle in at nearly floor level instead of climbing over a high tub rim. These tubs usually have a built-in or removable seat, a deeper basin for seated soaking, and safety features such as grab bars, slip-resistant floors, and anti-scald valves. Some models also offer hydrotherapy or air-jet massage. They are commonly installed as part of aging-in-place or accessibility renovations for seniors and for people with limited mobility, balance disorders, arthritis, or conditions such as Parkinson's disease, where getting in and out of a standard tub carries a high risk of falls. Walk-in tubs are mainly designed for people who can walk with or without a walker, while most full-time wheelchair users need a transfer bench or lift device to use one safely.

Overview

Contractor Steve Francey transforms a small space in a retired couple's home into the bathroom of their dreams to accommodate their limited mobility for about the same cost as a standard bathroom.

Statistics Canada predicts that, by 2031, the number of Canadians aged 65 and over will approach 10 million. To accommodate their desire to remain in their homes, we will see an influx in demand to renovate their homes so they can 'age in place.'

For Steve Francey of S. Francey Home Improvements, a significant proportion of his business, which is based in Ontario's Durham Region, already reflects the increase in the need for aging homeowners to alter their homes and life style to facilitate changes in health and limited mobility. Though, in the beginning, it happened more by chance than by choice, Francey is building a niche for himself and finds this aging population "wants to stay in their homes and remain close to friends and family in a familiar community with their healthcare services near by. The only way that's going to happen is if we can modify their homes to make them more functional and accessible."

Recently, Francey was asked to take a 4 by 10ft. space at the end of a sun room to create a practical and functional bathroom for a senior couple with limited mobility and tight budget. This couple lived in a small bungalow in a residential retirement community. There was only a crawl space under their house and no access to the shallow attic. They needed a bathroom designed to accommodate the husband's limited mobility and progressive loss of balance caused by Parkinson's disease. The wife wanted her husband to retain his independence for as long as possible, so designing a bathroom with fixtures to meet their needs and budget was a tall order. But, with Francey's enthusiasm, he tackled the challenge and began his search for the needed bathroom solutions.

Preparing for Special Needs

First, Francey visited wheelchair accessible facilities to see what kinds of devices and products institutions install for their long-term care patients. He insisted on meeting the husband's occupational therapist and discussing what kind of support devices were needed and how they were to be positioned on the bathroom walls. He collected online literature on wheelchair accessible standards for housing and building renovations. He visited wholesalers and trade shows to see the newest technologies and products available. He collected product brochures, spent his evenings searching the Internet for additional information and options that would help him create a bathroom that his customer said, "Must not look like a hospital room."

"This is not a contractor's typical approach to a renovation project, but there are no precedents for this new and growing field except those you develop for yourself," says Francey. "For me, this isn't just a job. I get tremendous satisfaction from trying new things, learning the latest techniques, testing materials I've never used before, but most of all, watching my customers' faces light up with appreciation when they see the result. Oh yeah, and getting that hug."

Next, he examined the physical space to find out what problems he might face before installing the plumbing, ventilation and the electrical services. He needed to know whether the crawl space underneath was adequately heated and dry, or if mold had invaded somewhere.

In a room this size, most contractors wouldn't consider installing a tub. They would either customize a shower stall four feet by 32 inches or buy a 36 by 36-inch preformed shower. But, neither suited Francey's homeowners. After much searching and questioning, he created a base plan incorporating products he decided would work best in the small narrow space.

What Bath Tub Was Selected for The Project and Why

For this project, a walk-in tub was the best solution, and the dimensions of Safety Bath's 'Serenity' model were perfect 30 inches high, 36 inches from front to back and 34 inches wide. Other comparisons also made the 'Serenity' tub ideally suited for this installation as the Serenity.

• Fills faster and drains faster than larger competitors.
• Fits into small spaces like a laundry room or even a closet, if necessary.
• Holds same amount of water as a regular bathtub; larger ones may need a larger water heater because of greater capacity.
• Weighs 120 pounds and is Canadian made from durable, easy-to-care-for fiberglass versus the heavier steel used in some imports.
• Accommodates and is primarily designed for the limited mobility of people using walkers wheelchair users require a lift device.
• Has the lowest step in the industry because the tub floor is only two inches above the house floor, while most other walk-in tubs have a seven-inch step.
• Comes complete with pop-up drain valve and a removable booster seat. Optional MOEN pressure-balanced, scald-guard taps and MOEN hand-held shower are provided if desired.
• Has a wider door that swings outward for easier entry many competitors' tubs Francey considered are designed with a narrow door that opens inward, and this could prevent you from quickly removing someone in an emergency.
• Is available as a soaker bathtub, with 4 jet hydro-therapy action or 12 jet warm air massage and an optional heated seat. Hydro-therapy has been shown as beneficial in helping people with circulatory problems, arthritis and sore muscles.

For Francey, using new products like the Safety Bath allowed him to learn as he worked.

"Trying something new can be intimidating, but Safety Bath's Serenity walk-in tub came with a template, easy-to-follow instructions and a demo DVD, plus Safety Bath's telephone support line. Safety Bath made it really easy to install."

Francey's Recommendations for a Successful Accessible Living Renovation Project

• Have a base plan.
• Expect and accept change.
• Keep their home and your work area tidy.
• Make finished area blend with home's décor.
• Take pride in yourself and your workmanship.
• Check for structural problems in the existing space.
• Be respectful and consider your customer's emotional state.
• Avoid disrupting customer's daily life as much as possible.
• Provide quality workmanship which contributes to the homeowners' equity.
• Ensure modifications are functional, affordable and provide enjoyment of use.
• Consider your customer's mobility problems, challenges and consider their safety.
• Work with your customer and their occupational therapist to create a functional design for the project.
• Use products that best fit their needs, be willing and open to learning new about new products, technologies and techniques.

Frequently Asked Questions

NOTE: Researched FAQs by Disabled World (DW)

Do you have to sit in a walk-in tub while it fills and drains?

Yes. Because the door must be closed and sealed before water is added, the bather enters first and stays seated while the tub fills and drains. Choosing a model with fast fill and fast drain features, or preheating the room, helps reduce the time spent sitting in a cool tub.

Is there government help in Canada to pay for an accessible bathroom renovation?

The federal Home Accessibility Tax Credit lets eligible seniors and people who qualify for the Disability Tax Credit claim a portion of up to 20,000 dollars in eligible renovation costs each year. Many provinces and municipalities also offer their own home modification grants or loans, so check local programs before starting work.

Does Medicare cover the cost of a walk-in bathtub in the United States?

Original Medicare generally does not cover walk-in tubs because they are not considered durable medical equipment. Some Medicare Advantage plans, Medicaid waiver programs, and Veterans Affairs home improvement grants may help with part of the cost, so it is worth asking each program directly.

How long does a typical walk-in tub installation take?

A straightforward replacement of an existing tub often takes one to three days. Projects that need new plumbing lines, electrical circuits for jets or heaters, subfloor repairs, or wall reframing can take a week or longer.

Do jetted or heated walk-in tubs need a dedicated electrical circuit?

Most models with hydrotherapy jets, air massage, or heated seats need a dedicated GFCI-protected circuit installed by a licensed electrician. Always confirm the manufacturer's electrical requirements and local code before installation.

What water temperature is safest for seniors to avoid scalding?

Safety experts commonly recommend setting the water heater at or below 120 degrees Fahrenheit, which is about 49 degrees Celsius. Pressure-balanced or thermostatic anti-scald valves add extra protection by limiting sudden temperature spikes at the tap.

Where should grab bars be installed in an accessible bathroom?

Grab bars are typically mounted 33 to 36 inches above the floor beside the toilet and along bathing areas, and they must be anchored into studs or solid blocking. An occupational therapist can recommend exact positions based on how the person moves, transfers, and balances.

Is a roll-in shower a better choice than a walk-in tub for wheelchair users?

For people who use a wheelchair full time, a curbless roll-in shower with a shower chair or commode is often safer and easier to use than a walk-in tub, which usually requires a transfer. A walk-in tub is generally better suited to people who can walk short distances or use a walker.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: Most contractors would have put a basic shower stall in a 4 by 10 foot room with only a crawl space below and no attic access, and that is what makes this project worth studying. Francey treated the room as a problem to solve with his clients rather than a standard job, and his list of recommendations - keep a base plan but expect change, respect the homeowner's emotional state, keep the work area tidy, and make the finished room blend with the rest of the home - applies to almost any accessibility renovation. For families facing a progressive condition, the takeaway is that a bathroom that supports independence can also add to a home's equity. Getting there takes a contractor willing to learn new products, work with an occupational therapist, and design for safety over the long term.*

* Editorial additions by Ian C. Langtree.