A Disabled Shower does not Mean One Which isn’t Working!
Last week I was sitting in a waiting room and the man nest to be said he had a disabled shower. I was quite surprised as he laughed when I said that I know someone who could fix it quite cheaply until he explained that he meant he has a shower suitable for a disabled person! After this I did not ask whether he had a disabled bath too!
Disabled baths and disabled showers are available to make life easier for those with physical disabilities which make it difficult or impossible for them to get in and out of a bathtub or shower. The latest addition to this group is the disabled wet rooms which are fast becoming a popular option in the UK.
A wet room is a fully water tight bathroom with no separate shower tray. The “walk-in” shower area is usually level with the surrounding floor but with a slight slope to the drain which is fitted directly into the floor. The shower unit and controls are fitted to one of the walls within the wet room. The concept of the domestic wet room is relatively recent but the idea is now fully developed. A number of manufacturers have designed “tanking systems” which, when installed correctly, fully seal the bathroom against water leaks.
Wet rooms are growing in popularity in the UK in both domestic and commercial properties and are now having a major impact on bathroom layout and design. They are particularly useful where level entry to the shower area is essential - for instance, for use by someone in a wheel chair. A wet room is more versatile than a conventional shower tray and enclosure and gives additional options in bathroom design. The concept allows the showering area to blend naturally with the rest of the room.
Wet rooms give a feeling of spaciousness and minimalism. They make the best use of the available space and don’t, necessarily, require a fixed shower screen. Furthermore without any steps there are less chances of slips and trips, cleaning is much easier and hygiene levels are excellent.
Important requirements of a wet room:
Stable (not flexible) flooring
Correct sloped flooring and floor drainage to ensure no pooling
Effective water proofing by ‘tanking’
Protection of neighbouring rooms from water migration
For everyone - Easy access for all users, regardless of mobility
Safe space - More space for ease of movement
Complete safety - Ensures the entire bathroom area is safer
Easy to maintain - No screens or doors, so less cleaning
Function with style - A modern look that’s future proof
Recognised as being the complete showering solution, a wet floor shower, or wet room, ensures easy access combined with maximum safety, whatever your mobility issues. Instead of having a traditional shower tray or enclosure, the entire room becomes your shower, with slip resistant tiles or vinyl covering the floor and walls. The disabled wet rooms available these days are a sensible option.
