A walk in shower can become a necessity for many households, but it can also be a luxury for everyone.  Many homeowners have elderly family members living with them whose mobility is limited. Perhaps your kid had a sporting accident and needs help bathing.  Maybe you just want to bring your homes into the 21st century with a sparkling new walk in shower. This will come in handy when the time comes to sell the house, because upgraded bathrooms sell homes. Before you start planning colors, lighting and whether the shower head should be a rain head or a hand-held, though, perhaps knowing how we install them would be helpful.

Walk In Shower with Corner Seat Walk In Shower with Corner Seat

 

Step One: Measurements

You will need to know if a new shower will fit. The Joyce professional will measure, of course, but if you know beforehand if the toilet will be in the way of the shower door swinging, then we can begin planning alternatives. We are also well-versed in local regulations, so we can let you know what is allowed. For instance, if you only have a certain amount of square footage to work with, we will plan a shower that will work to best advantage within that space.  

Step Two: It’s Outta Here

The first thing you will need to recognize is that you will need other shower arrangements while this is going on. The water will be turned off, the breakers to the bathroom likewise, the tub torn out and a mighty mess will be on the floor. That said, we will remove everything down to the subfloor and the wall studs. This will also include any substrate the plumber used to seat the tub when it was originally installed. Homeowners will be left with a rather large hole in the floor and wall.  

Step Three: The Base

Here is where you get to make the first of many choices. If the usual size tub/shower combination was in the bathroom, then a square or rectangular shower pan will be chosen. However, if the tub/shower combo fits into a smaller space, then the usual shower pan will be too large. A custom shower pan will almost certainly be necessary in this example. We have many options and will help you select the one that is best.  

Step Four: The Plumbing

The former tub/shower combination will probably have the plumbing necessary for a new shower already installed. If you are looking to upgrade and want multiple shower heads, though, or a sprayer especially for seated bathers, then extra plumbing will be necessary. Working with a standard shower pan, you will have the choice of putting shower heads wherever they wish, since the water will stay in the pan. Likewise, with a custom shower base will have a wonderful shower without worrying the water will harm the bathroom floor. The plumbing will need to be in place for this to happen.

 

Step Five: The Walls

Foot Shelf for Shaving Foot Shelf for Shaving

In contrast, now you get to have some real fun with design choices. You can choose you from a wide range of wall colors, patterns and styles. Do you prefer glass doors with a pattern? Perhaps a hand-held shower wand, or a teak shower seat? How about shelving in the shower or a foot shelf for shaving?  Choices in shower doors, accessories, and shower walls are available to create a shower that will work for your family.  

What Else Should I Know?

In addition, you should know they have a choice of grab bars, mold-resistant materials and low threshold or barrier free shower bases. All bases are slip-resistant for safety. Other than that, the benefits of a new walk in shower are manifold. Increased mobility means elderly, disabled or temporarily immobile family members can forego the embarrassment of asking for help in bathing. Joyce Factory Direct understands that independence means a lot to everyone.

 

Moreover, it’s not easy cleaning bathrooms. It is especially not easy scrubbing mildew stains and getting rid of mold. Modern tubs and showers are made with this in mind. They are made of non-porous materials, meaning mold and mildew can’t get a grip on the material.  All homeowners need do is wipe the surface. These materials won’t chip or peel and come with a lifetime guarantee.

 

Even folks who are not elderly, injured or disabled benefits from grab bars occasionally. More accidents happen in the home than on the road or in industrial settings. The number of grab bars installed is up to the homeowner, while non-slip seating is available also. 

 

One of the hallmarks of a professional is attention to detail. A new shower will look as if it had been in the house from the beginning. The installation will be smooth with no mess left behind. One of the hallmarks of Joyce Factory Direct is their attention to homeowners’ budgets and their willingness to work together for the best experience.