Walk-In Tub Installation in Lexington, KY

Who is a walk-in tub right for?

A walk-in tub makes the most sense for someone who still wants to sit in warm water, for comfort, for sore joints or just out of habit, but can no longer step over a standard tub safely. If the person mostly showers, or uses a wheelchair full time, a low-threshold or curbless shower is usually the better and cheaper fit. We'll tell you honestly which one suits the person using the room. Our comparison of a walk-in tub vs. walk-in shower goes deeper, and accessible bathrooms covers the wider set of safety changes.

How much does a walk-in tub cost in Lexington?

Most Lexington walk-in tub projects fall between $9,000 and $20,000 installed. The tub is a large share of that. The rest is fitting it to your bathroom.

Two lines surprise people most. First, many walk-in tubs hold more water than a standard tub, and a typical household tank may run lukewarm before the tub is full. Second, jetted and heated models need their own power supply. We look at both on the first visit so neither shows up as a change order later. The Lexington bathroom remodel cost guide puts these numbers next to other projects.

What are the disadvantages of a walk-in tub?

We would rather you hear these from us before you buy:

• You sit in the tub while it fills and while it drains. The door has to be shut before water goes in, and it can't open until the water is out. Fast-drain models shorten the wait but don't remove it, so some people feel chilly at the end.
• It uses a lot of hot water. Plan for the water heater question up front.
• It costs more than a standard tub or a walk-in shower.
• Resale is mixed. Some buyers like it; others plan to take it out.
• The door seal needs care. Keep it clean and check it now and then so it keeps sealing.

None of these rule a walk-in tub out. They just mean it should be a deliberate choice.

Does Medicare pay for a walk-in tub?

Generally no. Original Medicare does not treat a walk-in tub as durable medical equipment, so it usually isn't covered. Other places worth asking:

• Medicare Advantage plans. Some include limited home-safety benefits. Call your plan and ask specifically.
• Kentucky Medicaid waiver programs. Some waivers may help qualifying people with home modifications.
• VA programs for eligible veterans, including grants aimed at accessibility changes at home.
• Tax treatment. A medically recommended home change may be deductible in part. A tax professional can tell you.

We don't decide who qualifies, but we can supply an itemized written quote, measurements and photos if a program asks for them.

Will a walk-in tub fit in an older Lexington house?

Most walk-in tubs are built to drop into a standard 60-inch tub space, so the footprint is rarely the problem. Getting the tub to the bathroom can be. In the 1920s to 1940s homes of Chevy Chase, Ashland Park, Bell Court and Kenwick, bathroom doors are often narrow, hallways turn sharply and the only full bath may be upstairs. We measure every door and turn from the entry to the bathroom before you order.

The floor matters too. A filled walk-in tub plus a person is heavy, and older framing under a cast-iron tub has sometimes been weakened by slow leaks. In postwar ranches in Southland, Gardenside and Tates Creek, access is usually easier because the bath sits on the main floor, though the tank in a hall closet is often too small for a deep tub.

How is a walk-in tub installed?

1. Remove the old tub and walls, protecting floors along the way.
2. Adjust the plumbing: drain, supply and a new valve with a handheld shower on a slide bar.
3. Add blocking inside the walls for grab bars, and run power if the model needs it.
4. Set and level the tub, then fill it to test the door seal, jets and drain.
5. Finish the walls, install grab bars, caulk and walk you through using it.

If the drain moves, that is plumbing work permitted by the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction. We pull it. See our permit guide for what triggers one.