I’m a homeowner getting ready to modernize an auxillary apartment added onto my house to put my elderly mother-in-law (we always got along so it’s not too bad) with a bad hip in there. Am planning to replace a shower unit with, at least, a bath so she can sit down and use a hand wand shower to bathe.
Is there a good to high end unit with a modular seat built in?
What are the new style shower areas that you just walk into (has no side wall) called? Can’t seem to find those anywhere to read up on their advantages/disadvantages. Or is it simply a tiled wall and floor with the floor on a slight angle? This idea actually sounds like a better idea than a tub because I can cut down on hot water usage.
Thanks.
John
Replies
A good tile guy will know what you need. For the elderly or handicaped one turns the whole bath into one giant shower, e.g., no curbs.
Here is a thread where I explain what I do.
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=30966.1
If I am specing the job from scratch, I would lower the floor joists significantly so the top of the mud bed is set at the same height as the adjoining bedroom. If it is a remodel, then I pray for oversized joists, and cut them down. If I can't cut them down, then there will be a height difference and one needs a clever threshold and/or mini-ramp.
Boris
"Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934
I recently installed an ADA (Americans W/Disabilities Act) shower unit in a new home. The unit cost was about $1500 and installation was pretty straightforward (actual installation of the unit into the framing took about an hour, and the plumbing was no different than any other shower unit. No tiling was involved. The unit comes ready to go with very simple assembly.
Very well-built, with reinforced grab bars and an ample and well-constructed fold-down seat.
I don't have the specs in front of me but you might Google "ADA shower unit" or something.
The dimensions allow for access with a wheelchair and the shower unit has minimal curb.
A roll in shower unit is what you are talking about you can get them through your local BIG BOX they are special order, better one is made by Swanstone about $2500 with seat, grab bars, hand held shower head, controls all the bells and whistles a real top line unit.
Check out the Warm Rain products. They offer several ADA compliant units, including roll-in showers, with a wide variety of grab bar and seat packages. They have a new one-piece unit, but most are knock-down for remodeling and will fit through an opening as small as 24 inches. I installed the WR-6060 for an elderly, wheel chair bound double amputee. She thought it was the best thing since sliced bread.
I like the look of these units. Don't know much about them, though.
http://www.safetybath.com/
View Image
There are two kinds of people who never amount to much: those who cannot do what they are told, and those who can do nothing else.
Boss, why is the water so dark? What's that guy doing in there?
Joe H
Joe, there are some things I just try to NOT think about................(-:Q: What's the difference between a poodle humping your leg and a pitbull humping your leg?A: You let the pitbull finish.