DCE Walk-In Tub Blog

The baby boomer generation is known as a segment of the population that was born during the early years after the Second World War, between 1946 and 1964. Approximately 76 million babies were born during this time and they are now arriving retirement age. They are a principal dynamic of the "graying of America".

With this rise in the population of retirement eligible people comes a rising interest in walk in tubs. You don't have to be a senior citizen to justify enjoying a 30" Hydrotherapy / Whirlpool system, there are practical reasons for the young to go with Walk In tubs.  The security, ease, affordability, and simple practicality of walk-in tubs are the sources of the significant rise in market interest.  Bathroom injuries are on the rise as the mother nature robs us of strength and coordination over time.  With a door to walk in, instead of climbing over the side, much of the bathroom dangers are eliminated.

A walk in tub is the perfect answer for people with disabilities or handicaps, as well as people with injuries. There is a door that opens and closes with air tight hinges, making it easy to move in and sit down without the danger of slip sliding around. With arthritis effecting millions of people every year, this would be the perfect solution for them as well. And with many of our walk in tubs having an hydrotherapy system and whirlpool system, this makes individuals with arthritis to enjoy bathing and feel relaxed.

There is absolutely no leakage from the safety tub. The hinges are designed with special materials to keep an air tight seal ensuring your ease and comfort for many relaxing bath sessions. The safety tub is revolutionizing peoples bathing experience. Many versions can be purchased that include a whirlpool to take the relaxation to the next level, not to mention the therapeutic elements. You can find the walk in tub in different materials such as acrylic, and fiberglass.

The difficulties that a caregiver faces when handling a patient with disabilities can be astronomical. Having the ability to allow someone to bathe in private, safely and securely is highly desired. If help is still needed, it makes the caretakers job that much easier. The walk in tub has changed a lot for the handicapped and has decreased bathroom injuries in a huge way. A bath is a pleasure and there should be no fear or anxiety about something that is intended to be luxurious. Many people find that in addition to being a great benefit to someone that has limited access to regular bathing facilities; they too use the walk in tub because of the relaxing therapeutic effects.

Walk In tubs are a safe and practical solution for the young and old alike.  More and more new home buyers elect to go the Walk In route for the practicality of today, and for the necessity of tomorrow.  Contact us today for more information.

In this blog post we’d like to share with you a common misconception that we were hearing from the general public. Specifically, we will discuss the similarities and clarify the difference between the Walk-In and Handicap tubs.

A walk-in tub is designed for someone who may not be steady on their feet, not able to stand for long periods of time, or who may have trouble stepping over the side wall of a traditional tub. This is especially truly for the elderly who may have a fear of falling, since 80% of falls are made in the bathroom alone. Many times customers who purchase walk in tubs are not experiencing any mobility ailments and are simply wanting a deeper, more therapeutic soak. In some cases, a person suffering from arthritis, chronic muscle pain or who has had knee replacement surgery will find the ease of a built in seat and reachable hand-held shower head makes the task of bathing much easier. People with physical ailments can feel relaxed with our hydrotherapy system that can come pre-installed in our walk-in tubs.

A handicap tubs are usually raised off the floor so that the bather can transition from a wheelchair to bathtub without the need of a transfer bench, or attendant. Handicap tubs are intended for people with little to no mobility and most handicap tubs are designed to be used with a lift. Handicap bathtubs have wide outward swinging doors- designed to be maneuvered around for those in wheelchairs.

We hope that this post has cleared up some confusion that some of you might have regarding the differences between Walk-in and Handicap tubs.  Of course, feel free to call us to continue the discussion. 

We are sure you have seen our products guarantee, and that we only make our tubs with the finest quality and professionalism. But we are not just saying these things, we mean them. We have been in the business for 25 years and over those years have accrued much experience in providing excellent customer service. And our quality products isn’t just coming from our mouths, it is coming from our ETL certification and our BBB Accredited Business award. Why are these so important? What does it mean to the consumer?  (BTW:  Just to keep you interested, somewhere in this blog we will define for you the definition of the acronym "ETL")

Well for starters the ETL Certification is a third party testing facility that indicates whether or not the walk in tub has been tested by Intertek, found in compliance with accepted national standards, and meets the minimal requirements required for sale or distribution. To you, the consumer, the ETL Mark is assurance that the product is compliant with safety standards, having been tested and certified by a third-party organization. This means that our walk in tubs are up to modern design, and are backed by a stamp of approval.

Now as for the BBB Accredited Businesses, you may have seen them in compliance with many other companies. They deal with all sorts of companies not just walk in tubs. The BBB are a dedicated bunch; they are dedicated to ethics and building trust with customers, and they are dedicated to supporting the local and national work of the BBB. We take on that same role, we are contractually obligated to uphold the Standards for Trust and we also agree to resolve complaints that are filed against them with the BBB. This sets us apart from other businesses which are not required to be ethical or resolve complaints.

When evaluating a business, BBB looks at many different factors including whether or not the business is accredited by BBB. Being accredited doesn’t guarantee that a business gets an A+. In fact, there are many non-accredited businesses out there that treat customers well but do not have a perfect grade. There are close to half-a-million Accredited Businesses in North America that agree to uphold BBB standards and resolve complaints, and they make the choice in a tough economy to financially support an organization that promotes ethics in the marketplace.

With our products you will see the service reflected from the BBB. You will see the "ETL" seal, which by the way, stand for "ETL".  Industry has not applied a verbal translation. We have been awarded an A+ in our industry and we take that with great pride, in knowing that our services are exceeding expectations for our valued customers.

DCE Walk-in soaker tubs feature no jets and offer a traditional bathing experience, which can be nice after a long day and not have to adjust any jets. We also feature walk-in tubs with Hydrotherapy Air Jets and Whirlpool Water Jets. Some models feature both air and water jets for personalized comfort.

Our Hydrotherapy Air Jet systems or Air Bubble systems provide soothing, gentle bubbles to enhance your relaxation and boost circulation. Patients may use the tub both for pain relief and for luxury.

And lastly our Whirlpool Water Jet systems feature hot-tub style water jets that offer targeted relief for sore muscles. The whirlpool tub has a pump motor which pressurizes the water from the tub and forces it out through jets placed around the inside of the tub. The jets are adjustable so you can focus the pressure on various parts of your body to help relieve pain. 

The type of door on the walk in bathtub model that you choose doesn't make a difference in the basic functionality of the tub - the most important thing, after all, is that the door closes and makes a watertight seal. Nevertheless, the style of door that you choose does make a difference in the accessibility, convenience, and safety of your tub. As with most things in life, there are trade-offs to consider, and the style of walk in bathtub door you choose will reflect what you value most. In this article, we outline the major circumstances you should think about so that you can choose a walk in bathtub with the style of door best suited to your needs and budget.

If you plan to install your walk in bathtub as part of a bathroom renovation in an older home, you may have trouble fitting a tub with an outward-swinging door into the space left by the conventional tub you want to replace. In many homes, bathrooms are long and narrow, and the bathtub is usually located right across from a plumbing fixture that would be hard to move, like a toilet or sink. Walk in tubs with doors that swing outward require about two feet of clearance space outside the tub to open the door completely, on top of the extra space they already take up because they're larger than your old bathtub. A compact walk in bathtub with an inward-swinging door is ideal if you want to enjoy the safety and convenience of a walk in tub, without having to spend thousands to make space for one in your bathroom.

Whichever style of door you decide to choose we can accommodate your needs. We know that having an easily accessible bathtub is essential to every person, as personal hygiene can keep you feeling healthy and happy. But not just any tub will do, our walk in tubs are designed with elegance and luxury so you know you are getting the most for your money. Contact us today to speak to a representative about our favorite tub designs and help you choose which is best for you.

DCE Walk-In Tubs have a full structural support frame, just like your own home's foundation, our steel frame is the foundation for our walk-in tub's quality and durability. Tub will never twist or become distorted, which could cause the tub to leak. Our frame has completely welded joints, a powder coated finish, and is built to last.

DCE Bathing Systems is the only walk-in tub manufacturer to utilize the cutting edge technology of LRTM fiberglass construction. LRTM is used to build our newest commercial and military aircraft along with giant wind turbine blades. LRTM is many times stronger than any other type of fiberglass and does not suffer cracking caused by flexing, common with many other walk-in bathtubs. Our Walk-In Tubs offer a 15-Year Fiberglass Warranty. The fiberglass structure and supporting steel frame are warranted against defects in material and workmanship under normal use conditions.

On top of our superior quality and warranty, you can rest assured knowing that all of our tubs are inspected 100% in our factory prior to shipping; no detail or function is overlooked. The pump and jets are tested for 24 hours in your tub for leaks, malfunctions and overall performance. Once we are assured that your tub is fully functioning, tub is drained, dried and carefully stored for shipment.

Seniors like to remain in their own home for many reasons: the familiarity of neighborhood and belongings, the ability to keep their pets, socializing with neighbors, gardening, local markets, and more.

However, there are hard financial reasons to stay independent as long as possible. Typically, seniors already own their home, which is an investment as well as a residence. The long-term trend of real estate has been up, so the net worth of the elderly who live in their own homes continues to rise. However, some seniors have to move out of their homes and into an assisted living home, which can end up being very expensive.

Often the main reason for having to move is the fear of falling and injury. More falls happen in the bathroom and stairs than anywhere else in the home. This is where DCE Walk In Tubs can help. With a low step threshold and a seat, the risk of falling is dramatically reduced. Some are wheelchair accessible, meaning the person can slide off the wheelchair onto the seat of the tub without assistance.

Walk In Tubs can with many features and benefits, such as a built in towel rack, or anti-slip floor. The average cost of just one year in an assisted living facility is $34,000. Not only can DCE Walk in tubs save seniors money but allow them to keep their independence by safely staying at home.

One way to regain some independence is to use walk in tubs.  DCE Walk-in bathtubs make bathing easier for our seniors to bath without having to worry about falling. Some of these tubs are wheelchair accessible which makes them a great solution for anyone with disabilities. These bathtubs are intended to fit into any area where your current standard shower or tub is located.

Our walk-in bathtubs are specifically designed for safety and comfort no matter what the situation. The demand for walk in tubs has grown in recent years mostly due to the enormous amount of injuries due to falls in the bathtub which happens most often in the elderly. Walk-in bathtubs have given seniors back the joy of bathing in comfort, many times without assistance. Our tubs also come in many different sizes and styles from which to choose.

The step up into a walk-in tub, for non-wheelchair accessible models, is much lower than standard tubs. Most of these bathtubs are deep soaking tubs and are great for relaxation. Not only are these bathtubs relaxing and safer for seniors and people with disabilities, they can also be found with various features like water jets and hydrotherapy that help with aches and pains. If you or a loved one has trouble getting into and out of the shower or bathtub, contact DCE walk-in bathtubs for more information.

Important Steps To Prepare For Proper Installation Of Walk In Tubs
 
Even though walk-in bathtubs are usually made from acrylic and/or fiberglass, heavy-duty materials, the plumbing connections are usually fragile and need to be handled with care and caution. Walk in tubs can never be lifted by plumbing connections; doing so can result in future leaks. Read the warranty explanation carefully before the installation. Once you made sure that your walk-in bathtub has arrived safely and that there are no visual damages, feel free to proceed to the testing phase which consist of just a few easy steps. Note that even though walk-in tubs are usually tested before sent out, a lot of times damages in the plumbing connections can happen during transportation or packing. For a complete test of the walk-in bathtub, you are going to need a flat surface and area large enough to allow access to the walk-in tub from all sides in case of a leak and drain the tub after the testing process is complete.

• Place the walk-in tub of the flat, evenly-leveled surface.
• Close the drain and fill the walk-in tub with water.
• Leave the walk-in tub filled with water for 25-30 minutes and then examine the walk-in bathtub and the drain for any leaks/damages.
• If tub is jetted, supply electric to the walk-in unit and run for 10 minutes and inspect for leaks. Inspect the unions around the pump; if leaks persist from the unions after tightening; loosen the unions and insure the O-ring is seated properly.
• Last but not least, ensure that all the jets are functioning properly

Walk in tubs can be a very useful accessory to your home, but did you know they also make great gifts? Yes if you were to present them with such a gift that will itself speak out that you care for them. Telling somebody that you care is not always easy. First of all it appears a bit melodramatic and even if you succeed in saying what you want to say without feeling awkward there is always a chance that you lose emotions. Walk in tubs add splendor to your bathroom and take great care of elderly people and handicapped. They are also great bathroom accessories. So how about buying one such tub for that special person in your life? Walk in tubs are specially designed tubs for the safety of elderly and handicapped. If you’re not too familiar with a walk in tub, these tubs have a special door, which can swing in or out, so that the bather doesn't have to climb in the tub for a bath. The bather just has to open the door to get inside and close it again.

These tubs really take care of the users. Such tubs are furnished with various walk in tub features that not only make bathing easy but also interesting and most refreshing. Along with these features you get slip-resistant floor of tub that avoids accidents due to slipping. Installation of numerous massage systems and therapies are available on such tubs. With age stability, and balance, chances of slipping specially in wet places like a bathroom increases. Tubs with slip resistant floor are best alternative for elderly people.

So still thinking of that perfect gift? Hey! Come on you don’t need to think any longer! Just get one such tub and ensure the safety of your elderly or handicapped. These tubs can easily be installed in your home. And interestingly, these tubs are available in variety of sizes. So you can pick a tub most suitable for your home and preference. Contact us today and let us help you get that perfect gift.