8 Benefits of Walk-In Showers

Every bathroom remodeling project has a dilemma: a bathtub or a shower? When taking a decision, you need to consider the bathroom size, the installation location, and the area design. Or, maybe you have a room big enough to integrate both. 

Whichever choice you make, here are the biggest benefits of walk-in showers.

Benefit #1: elegance

Just imagine the bathroom the shower as a visual attraction that gets lost in the design, rather than one that focus away from the design. Picture a bathroom decorated with marble or even epoxy resin. The end result will surely exceed your expectations.

Ideas for integrating a walk-in shower and a bathtub in a bathroom, photo source: thespruce.com

Benefit #2: easy maintenance

If a problem occurs with the drain trap in your bathtub or standard shower tray, you'll have to deal with some unpleasant situations. A walk-in shower has a drain trap which is easy to uninstall and therefore easy to clean. Another benefit associated with this category is the drainage pipe slope. It is recommended is to have the drainage pipe as steep as possible. If a horizontal drain pipe is on too steep a slope, dirt debris can dry in the drain pipe and cling to the inside of the pipe. However, if the pipe does not drain sufficiently, water can remain in the pipe and sediment can also get trapped in the pipe. Ideally, you should have a horizontal drainage pipe of one cm per meter. 

Benefit #3: damp proofing

There are a few differences between walk-in and standard showers when it comes to leaks. Thanks to the damp proof system with overlapping double flanges, the walk-in shower is completely damp proof around the drain. In a classic shower tub, the damp proofing depends on the quality of the sealing material, and in terms of silicone joints quality over time, the result will not be so pleasing. 

Benefit #4: no stairs

The bathroom should be a safe ambient. So, make sure you avoid obstacles. By its very definition, the walk-in shower makes sure you have no obstacles. 

Benefit #5: maximizing the space

Because you have no constraints associated to the size of the shower tray. You want a double shower with two meters wide, you can do it. 

Benefit #6: You save water

Bathing requires on average about 120 liters of water, which is much more than the 80 liters you usually need to shower. So, a walk-in shower, helps to save water.

Walk-in shower, photo source: pexels.com

Advantage #7: suitable for corners

This is one of the main benefits of a walk-in shower. Because, you can even make use of walls interrupted by windows. It only requires one element, a glass wall. 

Advantage #8: easy maintenance

A walk-in shower maintenance involves actually washing the walls, and nothing more. With a walk-in shower, you don't get mold in the corners or around the edges like you do with a shower. 

Walk-in shower best practices  

Even though the walk-in shower has unlimited benefits, there are some things you could do to make sure you avoid any problem. 

Tip #1: the drainage pipes diameter must be correct

To ensure a smooth flow, it's important to install pipes with the correct diameter, based on the need flow capacity you want. The standard shower drain is 50 mm, the bathtub 50 mm, the washing machine and dishwasher 40 mm each, and the toilet 90 mm, which should always be separated from the main drainage pipe.

Bathroom decoration project with stone slabs, photo source: pexels.com

If different drainage pipes are being added, choose as large a diameter as possible, such as 110 mm. Keep in mind that water should not travel too far horizontally through a pipe with a limited diameter. If you must do this, choose a larger diameter to prevent blockages. 

Tip #2: Avoid connecting pipes in a Y shape

Because air bubbles can form in the drainage system between the vertical drainage pipe and the shower drain. Water will remain in the shower until the trap is removed from the drain. The solution is to connect the vertical drain pipe with a T-coupling. 

Tip #3: think about an easily accessible drain trap

If the drain slows down suddenly, there may be dirt in the shower drain trap. It's essential that your drain trap is reachable and easy to clean. Therefore, consider the swan neck drain trap. In the event of a blockage, you will have to crack up the shower floor, which is unpleasant, especially if it happens often. 

Tip #4: ensure good ventilation

Because you will prevent many of the problems outlined above. Aeration involves supplying air to the drain pipe so that there is no vacuum. This will cause water to remain in the drain pipe. Think of a pipette that you close the top of with your finger. The liquid remains despite the opening at the bottom. Make sure you always leave an area where air can enter the pipe to avoid unpleasant odors and creating a vacuum. 

The walk-in shower is a great and comfortable piece of bathroom design, suitable for any bathroom. For this reason, it is considered one of the best choices when it comes to bathroom interiors. On the market you will find many models of walk-in showers and if you want to integrate a natural stone shower tub, we have some products that might catch your eye. 

Whatever you choose, remember that it's always important to create your own relaxing oasis in your home. 

Ideas for walk-in showers, photo source: pexels.com