Safe Step Walk-In Tub Reviews

The sales guy who came out was very professional. He did a lot of measurements in our existing bathroom. There was some construction that had to happen because our tub was an unusual built-in thing. He gave us options and was very professional. We were pretty much convinced we needed it, so we didn't need a "sales call." We just needed to know if what they had could be done in our house.

We were told originally the installation would take two days. It took five. But then they did have to do some extra construction because our original tub was built in with the deck. They had to get the deck out and then put something else in to cover the space where the deck was gone. Everyone was very professional. They cleaned up after themselves each day. They even weren't annoyed by the dogs. They did a very nice job.

I love the tub. My husband and I do it differently. He wants to get in, get out, and get on with the rest of his day. I experience the tub. I use the jets and relax and find it a soothing part of my day.

I like that I had an option of getting a handheld shower nozzle so I could wash my hair. Because I am not able to duck down into the water because it wasn't that kind of a seat. Getting used to getting in and then adding the water because you can't fill it up and then get in because it'll get all over your house. And then, finding a way when we drain it. Because you have to stay in the tub when it's being drained. But it does it quite fast.

In our house it takes about eight seconds from it to go from the cold water to the hot water. And filling up, depends on if it's my husband or myself. I fill it as much as I can. He just gets water in, washes, and gets out and that goes fine. When it's time to drain, I've got a little routine that once the water is past the seat and it's just doing where my legs are, I'll just put a towel on and start drying my arms and my torso. By the time it finishes where my legs and feet are, I just step out and all I have to do is dry off the bottom half of me. So it's not excessive. It took a little getting used to because you're used to having to get to do things on your own time instead of the tub's time. But we’re very satisfied with it.

During the sales visit, they came out and they measured. We took almost the whole day. We enjoyed laughing and the rep was giving me different instructions. They gave a lot of gifts, like fire blanket, robes and towels for the bathroom. They also gave me a toilet. They had a couple of other offers and I didn't expect that.

Two guys came for installation. They had to put a plug in and it had a little green light. I have a little orange light right down the hallway. I told him, “That'll be okay with me.” They came about noon and at 5 o'clock, they were done. The rep said, “All we had to do is get the pipe and the electricity on the box. And everything fitted right in.” I was impressed on that one.

This is the first time I've seen a walk-in tub, but it was a little bit thicker than I thought it would be, but it's just nice. It's porcelain. It fits in with the tub with my bathroom. I also got a shower up at the top. When you get in and start, you can just sit and relax because it'll take you through the whole options that you have. You can select whatever you want. You got pipes for the shower and you got two showers. You also got a hand shower that can extend over there where you're sitting down. Right behind you, you got air holes. Once the water starts and gets up high, and shoots out, to me, it’s therapy. They have music that they can play too. They also have lights that come in and on. You got a remote too. It's very relaxing. I like it. I'm enjoying it.

The toilet installation was a little bit of a different story, but it was not their fault either. When they took the old toilet out, the ring on the floor broke. So, before the new toilet could get installed, they advised me that I would have to get somebody to get a new ring. And it was also plugged up, so it needed to be snaked. So, we got it all done and I had my handyman around to take care of that.

However, when my handy guys were installing the toilet, they broke the tank and put a crack in it. So, I reached out and long story short, one of the young men had a friend who had a toilet that would fit. However, the tank was too big and it really didn't fit in the spot very well. So, I got ahold of my sales rep and asked him by chance if I could buy another toilet from them or even just the tank. He said that wouldn't be necessary and that they would send another toilet. However, that's been over a month ago and I have not received it yet. I'm going to give him a call and I'm quite sure that if I did, he will take care of it.

Other than that, the tub is beautiful and has all the bells and whistles. And because of the issue with the toilet that the young men couldn't complete, three days after the installation, I decided to bite the bullet and use the tub. I live by myself, so it was a little daunting. But I got into the tub and I turned on the water. The water started coming into the tub and all of a sudden, I looked over the side and realized that water was escaping on to the floor. That was about 8:30 in the evening and I couldn't find the button to turn the water off. It was a nightmare. Finally, I was able to get the water turned off somehow, but then I had to get out of the tub. I was afraid to open the door because the water was still escaping. So, I somehow climbed over the tub and I was very afraid of falling. But I got out, and the water had stopped and drained. It all drained out on to the floor going into my dining room, so I spent the next hour mopping up water.

I called the salesperson and one of the fellows that did the installation came back. And the problem was I had not shut the door tight enough. So, it was operator error. However, because of the toilet issue, the installer didn't really have an opportunity to properly walk me through the operation of the tub. So, at that time, he went ahead and did that. Now I know how everything works. There's a lot of paperwork and and it wasn't easy for me, but that wasn't anybody else's fault except mine. So, otherwise, everything's fine, except that I still don't have a toilet.

Charlotte: We’re recorded.

During installation, the installers had to first figure out all of the wiring, because it was to put in the breaker. That took time. There's a place out in the hallway that they had access and it made it simpler for them. It just got delayed about an hour in trying to figure all that. But other than that, the men that were here were very nice, professional and helpful. They cleaned up beautifully and installed everything beautifully.

The product is great. I just find that it does take a long time for the tub to fill up. Our water heater does not have enough capacity. I don't know about going and investing another water heater. This one was only a couple of years old. So, that's a drawback as far as the water and staying hot enough for me. But it's fine for my husband. He doesn't like hot water. I like it nice and hot. But everything is fine.

I'm also still learning on some of the features. I just found out about the knob on the side, on the inside that has to do with the power of the jets. I wasn't aware when I first used it that you can turn them up higher or lower.  But it has a lot of great features. The shower is great and that will be helpful for when we have guests come. They have a seat to sit in if they want, which is great. As far as for the tub, my biggest drawback is that you have to make sure the door is tight. Also, the length of time it takes to fill the tub and I'm not sure on the jets either. I'm still experimenting with it.

But it's been helpful for my husband. I had to put in an extra grab bar on the inside on the wall. The Veterans Association did that for us. Because when my husband had to stand and his legs aren't that strong, the bar that's in the front, under the faucets, is not accessible for him, once the door is open. And you can't use it before to stand him up and then open the door. We also have an extra grab bar that Safe Step put on the right for him to hold on there and that's very important.

The product is what I expected. I expected something that was user-friendly and there are more bells and whistles on this unit than I even dreamed of. The added benefit of that little well where you can put some aroma therapy in and it gets distributed during the bathing process is phenomenal. Also, the use of light does have a tremendous effect upon the senses. I have a doctorate in education and psychology specifically, and I'm very much into those things that affect our mind, body, and spirit. My favorite is the intense whirlpool effect of the massage water, which helps my legs. I have somewhat diminished circulation in my legs due to a medical condition and that helps stimulate and it just feels good. When it was demonstrated to me by the salesperson that came in that there's light, aroma, and massage therapy, that was a very positive selling point.

The company thought of all the possible combinations of a bathing experience, from the typical being submerged in water, a movable showerhead, a handheld one to all of these details that make it so much easier. Maybe I don't want to take a bath. Maybe I want to just take a nice, stimulating shower and I can do that. I can do all these possibilities. I used to have a big problem with the water setting in my regular shower but with the unit here, it regulates the temperature and it will do it for you to avoid any surges or that sense of, “Oh, what was that?” All of these other details were thoughtfully put into this unit.

I have to admit, the unit was a bit more than I thought it would cost, but then when I thought about it, I recognized that whatever years I have left, I don't want them to be with this anxiety over keeping clean and practicing good hygiene. I don't want to compromise that with the fact of worrying about whether I can get in and out of a tub. I'm more concerned with just doing what I need to do to stay healthy and clean. I can take a safe bath, shower, and I can maintain my personal hygiene at a high level so I don't have to worry about any of that kind of social offensiveness, which to me, is a big deal.