What Are

WALK-IN SHOWERS?

Being able to safely shower is a necessity that is somewhat of a luxury to the mobility challenged. The bathroom is the area of the home where most falls occur. Additionally, most of those falls occur while entering or exiting the tub or while in the shower.

Walk-in showers are ideal for eliminating the common fear and struggle for those who experience difficulty with balance and mobility. As the name suggests, a walk-in shower allows for easy and safe entering and exiting for nearly anyone.

Renovators remove the tub and create a level walking area. A no-slip surface and grab bars make the shower safer, and other features such as benches, built-in shower seats, adapted handles and showerheads, and anti-scald faucets may be added as needed.

Benefits of Installing an

Accessible Shower

Walk-in showers have a number of benefits including:

Increase IndependencE

Seniors and others with limited mobility or balance problems can safely shower without needing any assistance. This safety measure is often the difference between independent living and living with someone else.

Fit in Most Bathrooms

With rare exceptions, walk-in showers will fit in most bathrooms. The flexibility of the showers means other safety features or adaptive equipment can fit into most bathrooms, as well.

Easy to Maintain

Cleaning in and around a tub can be difficult and, for some people, dangerous. Slick surfaces, curves and edges all add to the challenge of cleaning your shower. The walls and floor of the walk-in shower are easier to reach and simple to clean. Additionally, the design of walk-in showers means water does not collect. This limits soap residue.

Add Appeal for Selling

Should the time come to sell the home, a walk-in shower is often a big selling point. They can increase the resale value of your property.

Our Safety Features

What Safety Features Should
You be Aware of?

There are numerous features that will make your walk-in shower safer and more convenient. Some elements are optional. However, some are a necessity. These include:

  • Grab bars, both in the shower, as well as outside of the shower
  • Anti-scald faucets guard sensitive skin against extremely hot water by preventing its release. Not only does the feature help eliminate burns, but it also reduces falls that occur if someone tries to move away from scalding water very quickly
  • Bright lightening so all parts of the shower and the areas around the shower are visible
  • Non-slip flooring
  • Shower seats-these can be built-in or free-standing. The most important factor is the fit. The seat must be level so it does not wobble, and it cannot block the entrance/exit of the shower. Additionally, the shower seat must fit the owner and be able to support their weight safely

Contact Us

To Learn How We Can Help

After you contact us, an AccessAble Home Modifications expert will inspect your shower area and create a plan that will give you safe access to your shower. Our accessibility experts will walk you through the options for walk-in showers as well as the various modifications and details that may be available. Additionally, we will address other necessary safety features in your bathroom.

The professionals at AccessAble Home Modifications have years of experience installing walk-in showers in Western Australia. We will focus on what you need and want as we make an accessibility plan. The final step in planning is to get the approval of a Registered Occupational Therapist.

Adding a walk-in shower is a renovation that is helpful and may also save your life. During your renovation, our workers will be out of your way as much as possible. They are efficient and pride themselves on doing an excellent job.

Walk-In Shower FAQs AccessAble Home Modifications

Are Walk-in Showers Appropriate for All Bathrooms?

All bathrooms are not suitable for walk-in shower installation. We often find ensuites too small for walk-ins, but we can make modifications to improve accessibility. Most second or main bathrooms are good choices for installing a walk-in shower. Although, in some cases, this means losing the bath.

How Big Should the Opening Be for a Walk-in Shower?

Typically, we prefer to make the openings at least 600mm wide. Usually, bathrooms (especially second or main) are set a minimum of 1600mm wide, leaving 900-1000mm for a shower screen after opening the walk-in entrance.

Does the Plumbing Need to Be Changed for a Walk-in Shower?

The plumbing does not always need to changes or replaced. However, in some cases, it may. This depends on how the existing bathroom is set up as well as the size and shape of the new shower.

Usually, the shower drain is near the back wall, so falls can be created to move the water away from the entrance to the shower. If the shower is especially large, the drain can go in the middle of the shower. The process is not complicated, especially if a bathtub is being replaced with a walk-in shower because baths do not have concrete underneath them. In some cases, you might want to relocate the showerhead for better water control which is also a simple and inexpensive modification.

What Size Floor Tiles Are Suitable for a Walk-in Shower?

Usually, 300x300mm tiles or 400x400mm tiles are what work best for an average-size shower. These sizes are helpful in getting the falls correct. If the shower is large enough, 600x300mm tiles can work, but this size is not best for a smaller shower as it requires a cut on the diagonal to get the falls correct. This can look sloppy, and most clients do not like the result.

What Type of Shower Screen is Required for a Walk-in Shower?

The best screen type is a 10mm frameless shower panel. These are attached with heavy-duty brackets on the wall and one or two channels on the floor to fix the frame. Stability is vital because many people will hold the screen for balance when getting in or out.

Framed shower screens are not sturdy and require a rod from the screen from the screen to the wall to add stability. Unfortunately, the rod is usually not much support when it comes to helping to stabilise the screen. Many clients also feel this set-up detracts from the look of the bathroom.