Vancouver Plumbing Services: Should You Get a Walk-In Shower?

Walk-in showers are on-trend for many reasons. Primarily, there are the safety features, such as grab bars and shower seats, which reduce the risk of falling. If you’re creating an aging-in-place home, you can’t go wrong with a walk-in shower as part of your plan. But with any major remodelling project, you want to be aware of the disadvantages of a walk-in shower to minimize any problems. Handyman Connection offers professional plumbing services in Vancouver to make your home renovations and repairs easy and convenient. Learn more about the pros and cons of walk-in showers.

Benefits of a Walk-In Shower

Walk-in showers are much safer than the alternative, but your bathroom doesn’t have to look like it was designed for a nursing home. Using beautiful tile patterns along with modern features, you can have a walk-in shower that suits your décor and style.

Easy to Clean

Walk-in showers have mostly flat surfaces which are easier to clean. There are also fewer nooks and crannies, reducing the areas that dirt and grime can build up. Water doesn’t accumulate in the shower, so you won’t deal with hard water residue or soap buildup as in a bathtub.

Easy Accessibility

Walk-in showers have better access than a tub, which also makes them easier to clean. This accessibility increases safety, not just for elderly homeowners who may not be able to step over the side of the tub. Walk-in showers usually don’t have even a small ledge to step over. If you ever have mobility issues, you’ll be glad to have a walk-in shower.

Versatile

Walk-in showers are great for small and large bathrooms. With a little creativity, you can create a spa-like atmosphere that enhances the look of your bathroom. A walk-in shower can be customized to your space, giving you the illusion of a larger bathroom or making a shower fit into a unique-shaped space.

Cons of a Walk-In Shower

Although walk-in showers do have many advantages, there are some downfalls that should be addressed before you remodel. If you do have small children, it can be more difficult to bathe them in a walk-in shower than in a tub. You may want to make sure you have another bathroom with a tub before remodelling.

Lack of Privacy

A walk-in shower typically lacks the walls and doors that a normal shower does. If you have multiple people using the bathroom, you should consider the level of privacy you want. There are solutions to this issue, or you can limit the bathroom to one person at a time.

Feels Colder

Because the shower is more open in the room, the air can feel colder when you’re showering. Some homeowners get around this by installing heated flooring or using a warm light for added heat. It’s worth considering, especially if your bathroom stays cool from a lack of circulation from your HVAC system. 

Higher Moisture and Humidity

Walk-in showers do not contain the water and moisture as well as a tub or enclosed shower. It can create mould and mildew problems in the entire bathroom. You may want to think of ways to mitigate this damage, through exhaust fans, mats to absorb water and a well-positioned drain.

Is a Walk-In Shower Right for Your Home?

If you’re considering a bathroom remodel, a walk-in shower may fit right into your design ideas. It can seem like a big investment, but a walk-in shower can help you stay in your home longer as you get older. Contact Handyman Connection for plumbing services in Vancouver to transform your house into a home that suits your needs and style.