Home Page link

Sunken Bath/Shower Question

Home| Search | About
Login Password
Register Now! Lost Password?

Building Construction - Building Construction Industry Discussions. 

Page 1 of 2       1 2 > last >> Bookmark this page:  YahooMyWeb Yahoo!  Google Google  Windows Live Favorites Windows Live  del.icio.us del.icio.us  digg digg  Add to Netscape Netscape
Subject Author Date
Sunken Bath/Shower Question Scott Dudley 03-10-2008
If you were  Registered and logged in, you could reply and use other advanced thread options
Posted by Scott Dudley on March 10, 2008, 3:39 pm

My dad recently suffered a stroke. Before he returns home, I need to do
something with their sunken bath/shower to accommodate his limited
mobility while he recovers. It's ~ 37x58" and maybe a foot deep. It
has a 6" or so lip above grade and then a sorry excuse for a step (like
4" wide) that would be a tripping hazard for anyone.

Ultimately, I'll remodel this for them and bring it up to grade, new
shower, etc. but I need to do something short-term in preparation for
his return home. They've never used it as a bath - shower only. I was
thinking of constructing a deck of waterproof material that would raise
the floor to grade and could be removed a few times over the course of
the next couple months for cleaning. Either allow for water to drain
through gaps between planks in deck surface or around circumference.

Any good ideas on prospective materials for this deck? Needs to be
strong (he's 6'2" and ~300#) and waterproof. The lighter the better.

All ideas and input appreciated.

Posted by Robert Allison on March 10, 2008, 3:49 pm
Scott Dudley wrote:
>
> My dad recently suffered a stroke. Before he returns home, I need to do
> something with their sunken bath/shower to accommodate his limited
> mobility while he recovers. It's ~ 37x58" and maybe a foot deep. It
> has a 6" or so lip above grade and then a sorry excuse for a step (like
> 4" wide) that would be a tripping hazard for anyone.
>
> Ultimately, I'll remodel this for them and bring it up to grade, new
> shower, etc. but I need to do something short-term in preparation for
> his return home. They've never used it as a bath - shower only. I was
> thinking of constructing a deck of waterproof material that would raise
> the floor to grade and could be removed a few times over the course of
> the next couple months for cleaning. Either allow for water to drain
> through gaps between planks in deck surface or around circumference.
>
> Any good ideas on prospective materials for this deck? Needs to be
> strong (he's 6'2" and ~300#) and waterproof. The lighter the better.
>
> All ideas and input appreciated.

Sounds like a good place to use Trex. It is waterproof and is
already textured for skid resistance. Expensive, but easy to
work with.

--
Robert Allison
Rimshot, Inc.
Georgetown, TX

Posted by PeterD on March 10, 2008, 6:46 pm
On Mon, 10 Mar 2008 19:49:57 GMT, Robert Allison

>Scott Dudley wrote:
>>
>> My dad recently suffered a stroke. Before he returns home, I need to do
>> something with their sunken bath/shower to accommodate his limited
>> mobility while he recovers. It's ~ 37x58" and maybe a foot deep. It
>> has a 6" or so lip above grade and then a sorry excuse for a step (like
>> 4" wide) that would be a tripping hazard for anyone.
>>
>> Ultimately, I'll remodel this for them and bring it up to grade, new
>> shower, etc. but I need to do something short-term in preparation for
>> his return home. They've never used it as a bath - shower only. I was
>> thinking of constructing a deck of waterproof material that would raise
>> the floor to grade and could be removed a few times over the course of
>> the next couple months for cleaning. Either allow for water to drain
>> through gaps between planks in deck surface or around circumference.
>>
>> Any good ideas on prospective materials for this deck? Needs to be
>> strong (he's 6'2" and ~300#) and waterproof. The lighter the better.
>>
>> All ideas and input appreciated.
>
>Sounds like a good place to use Trex. It is waterproof and is
>already textured for skid resistance. Expensive, but easy to
>work with.

Uh, I think he said 'the lighter the better' which leaves Trex a
distant last in my book! Blasted stuff weighs a ton.

Go with cedar, good characteristics and not terribly heavy overall.

Posted by Bobk207 on March 11, 2008, 1:06 pm
> My dad recently suffered a stroke. Before he returns home, I need to do
> something with their sunken bath/shower to accommodate his limited
> mobility while he recovers. It's ~ 37x58" and maybe a foot deep. It
> has a 6" or so lip above grade and then a sorry excuse for a step (like
> 4" wide) that would be a tripping hazard for anyone.
>
> Ultimately, I'll remodel this for them and bring it up to grade, new
> shower, etc. but I need to do something short-term in preparation for
> his return home. They've never used it as a bath - shower only. I was
> thinking of constructing a deck of waterproof material that would raise
> the floor to grade and could be removed a few times over the course of
> the next couple months for cleaning. Either allow for water to drain
> through gaps between planks in deck surface or around circumference.
>
> Any good ideas on prospective materials for this deck? Needs to be
> strong (he's 6'2" and ~300#) and waterproof. The lighter the better.
>
> All ideas and input appreciated.

How about some CMU (cinder blocks) to raise the level & then a wooden
(redwood or Trex) platform of appropriate thickness to get the finish
grade correct. Use SS fasteners from underside.

If weight is a big concern make it in two sections (36 x 29) should
be manageable.

cheers
Bob

Posted by Kay Lancaster on March 11, 2008, 10:42 pm
Another possibility -- a slide bench. Long enough to sit on outside the
tub, then scooch over to the washing position and then scooch back again.
With your setup it would probably need to be custom-built, but might be
easier than bringing the shower floor up temporarily. A hand shower with a
long hose (preferably longer than normal) is probably also going to be
useful.

Here's a stock version of a transfer bench, as a 'fer instance':
http://www.amazon.com/DMI-52217211999-DELUXE-SHOWER-TRANSFER/dp/B000GGNSWA

Your dad's physical therapy team should have some ideas of what might
work for temporary in your dad's unique circumstances.

Possibly useful free magazine for you and your family as your dad recovers:
Stroke Connection:
http://www.strokeassociation.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=2533

Some stuff on bathroom mods:
http://www.strokeassociation.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3049805

Equipment like shower chairs and commodes and walkers can often be
borrowed from the local senior/adult center. Can be really nice to be
able to try out several designs without breaking the bank.


Page 1 of 2       1 2 > last >>
Similar ThreadsPosted
Question: October 7, 2006, 2:31 pm
Flashing Question July 7, 2006, 2:56 am
Drainage question September 18, 2006, 11:05 pm
Drywalling Question October 13, 2006, 6:16 pm
concrete question October 30, 2006, 9:34 am
PVC and Sunlight question. November 2, 2006, 8:51 am
drainage question November 10, 2006, 4:00 pm
Fence Question November 27, 2006, 7:11 pm
ELECTRICAL QUESTION November 29, 2006, 10:24 pm
Question on construction January 19, 2007, 6:06 pm

Contact Us | Privacy Policy

XML SitemapXML Sitemap