How Do Walk In Tubs Work? The Door, the Seal and the Soak
Step in over a low threshold, sit, close the door, and fill. Here is exactly how a walk in tub works, and what to ask before you buy one.
Accredited since 2012★ 4.9 Google (35 reviews)In business since 2012Tech site visit before installHow does a walk in tub work?
A walk in tub has a watertight door in its side, so you step over a low 3 to 7 inch threshold instead of a tall tub wall. You sit on a built-in seat, close the door, fill the tub while seated, and drain it before you open the door again. The water pressure and a rubber seal keep the door from leaking.
Step by step: a walk in tub bath
- Open the door and step or slide in. The door swings in or out on the side of the tub. You step over a low threshold, usually 3 to 7 inches, instead of climbing over a 15 to 20 inch tub wall. On a transfer tub, the door is cut down to seat height so a wheelchair user slides across instead.
- Sit down and close the door. You sit on a built-in seat at chair height, about 17 inches, then close and latch the door. The latch pulls the door tight against a silicone or rubber seal.
- Fill the tub while you sit. You fill the tub with the door closed. A standard faucet takes about 6 to 8 minutes for a typical tub; a fast-fill faucet cuts that roughly in half. A heated seat or handheld shower keeps you warm while it fills.
- Soak, or turn on the jets. On a soaker you simply relax. On a hydrotherapy model, water jets massage the back, hips, calves and feet, and air jets add gentle bubbles. An inline heater can hold the water temperature.
- Drain before you open the door. The tub has to drain before the door can open, because the water is holding it shut. A quick or dual drain empties it in a few minutes. Then you open the door and step or slide out.
How does the walk in tub door not leak?
The door closes against a continuous seal made of silicone or rubber, and a latch pulls it tight. Once water is in the tub, the water pressure pushes the door harder against the seal. Inward-swinging doors are pressed shut by the water; outward-swinging doors rely more on the latch and seal but give more room to get in, which is why many wheelchair and walker users prefer them.
A properly installed, level tub with a clean seal should not leak. When doors do leak, the cause is usually an unlevel install, a dirty or damaged seal, or a latch that was not fully closed. Our guide to walk in tub door leaks covers the fixes, and many of the tubs we install carry lifetime warranties on the shell and door seal.
How long does a walk in tub take to fill and drain?
| Tub size | Standard faucet (~7 gal/min) | Fast-fill faucet (~12 gal/min) |
|---|---|---|
| Compact (about 40 gal) | about 6 minutes | about 3 to 4 minutes |
| Typical 30 x 52 (about 55 gal) | about 8 minutes | about 4 to 5 minutes |
| Large or bariatric (about 75 gal) | about 11 minutes | about 6 to 7 minutes |
Because you sit inside while it fills and drains, these minutes matter. The biggest comfort upgrades are a fast-fill faucet, a quick or dual drain, and a heated seat or backrest. See the full breakdown in walk in tub fill and drain time.
Does a walk in tub need special plumbing or electrical?
Hot water: a walk in tub holds more water than a standard tub, so your water heater has to keep up. Many homes are fine; some need a larger or tankless heater. Our water heater size guide shows how to check.
Electrical: a soaker needs no electricity. Tubs with jets, a heated seat or an inline heater need a dedicated GFCI circuit installed by a licensed electrician.
Drain and supply: most walk in tubs use a standard drain and supply lines, so they usually connect to your existing plumbing in a standard tub alcove.
Soaker vs jetted vs transfer: how the types work differently
| Type | How it works | Learn more |
|---|---|---|
| Soaker | Fill, sit and soak. No jets, no electrical. | All walk in tubs |
| Hydrotherapy | Water and/or air jets massage while you soak; needs a GFCI circuit. | Hydrotherapy tubs |
| Transfer | Door cut to seat height; slide in from a wheelchair. | Transfer bathtubs |
| Bariatric | Wider body, seat and door for larger bathers. | Bariatric tubs |
Compare all nine in types of walk in tubs.
How is a walk in tub installed?
Most walk in tubs replace an existing tub in the same alcove. Before anything is ordered, a factory-certified tech measures the space, the doorways and hallway on the path in, the floor, the drain and supply locations, the water heater and the electrical panel. On install day, the crew removes the old tub, sets and levels the new one, connects plumbing and any electrical, finishes the walls, and fills and tests it with you. Most installs take one day. Read what install day looks like.
Two easy ways to start, and we handle everything from there
1. A virtual estimate in minutes
Send a few photos and measurements from your phone. We match you with the walk in tub or roll in shower that fits your space and needs, and give you a written, itemized price.
Start a virtual estimate2. We come to you
Once you have picked the tub or shower that is right for you, a factory-certified tech visits your home to measure everything, check plumbing and electrical, walk through options and answer every question. We always measure in person before anything is ordered.
See how it worksThen our white-glove crew installs it, usually in one day, and hauls the old one away. Prefer your own contractor? Buy supply-only with the same factory warranty when installed per the manufacturer's guidelines, plus free tech support, or order online at Showers4Less.com.
How Do Walk In Tubs Work? The Door, the Seal and the Soak FAQ
How does a walk in tub work?
You open a watertight door in the side of the tub, step over a low threshold, sit on the built-in seat, close the door, fill the tub while seated, and drain it before opening the door.
Do you have to sit in a walk in tub while it fills?
Yes. The door must be closed before you fill the tub and the water must drain before it opens, so you sit inside during both. Fast-fill faucets, quick drains and heated seats make this more comfortable.
Why doesn't the walk in tub door leak?
The door closes against a continuous rubber or silicone seal and latches tight; water pressure pushes it further against the seal. Leaks usually come from an unlevel install or a dirty or damaged seal.
How long does it take to fill a walk in tub?
About 6 to 11 minutes with a standard faucet depending on tub size, and roughly half that with a fast-fill faucet.
Do walk in tubs need electricity?
Soaker tubs do not. Tubs with jets, heated seats or inline heaters need a dedicated GFCI circuit.
Can a walk in tub replace my regular bathtub?
Usually yes. Most models are sized to fit a standard 5-foot tub alcove and connect to the existing drain and supply lines.
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