Walk-In Bath Installation: The Process, Timeline & What to Expect (2026)

From Old Tub to Accessible Spa: What Happens During Installation?

Deciding to buy a walk-in bath is exciting. But the thought of the installation is often stressful, especially if you are worried about mess, strangers in your home, or being without a bathroom.

• “Will I be left without a toilet?”

• “Will there be dust everywhere?”

• “How long will it take?”

At EA Mobility, we believe in a “Low Impact” installation philosophy. We understand that we are working in your home, not a building site.

While a full Wet Room conversion typically takes 5 days, a Walk-In Bath installation is usually faster. Most installations are completed within 2 to 3 days, depending on your specific plumbing.

Here is the step-by-step roadmap of how we replace a standard bath with a specialist walk-in tub.

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Phase 1: The Preparation (The “White Glove” Approach)

We don’t just walk in with a sledgehammer. We treat your home with the care it deserves.

• Protection: We apply adhesive carpet protection film and dust sheets through your hallway and stairs. Our teams wear shoe covers when moving through the house.

• Isolation: We isolate the water supply to the bathroom only, so your kitchen taps and heating stay operational.

• Waste Management: We handle the heavy lifting. The old bath and rubble are removed from your property—you won’t be left with a cast-iron tub on your driveway.

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Phase 2: The Installation Timeline (Typical)

Note: Every house is different. We will give you a specific timeline for your home during our survey.

Day 1: Removal & Engineering

• Safe Removal: We carefully remove the old bath. If you have a heavy cast-iron tub, we may need to cut it into sections to remove it without damaging door frames.

• The “Twin Waste” Upgrade: A standard bath has one waste pipe. A walk-in bath needs two to drain fast (so you don’t get cold waiting). We install the necessary high-flow pipework under the floor or behind the skirting.

• Thermostatic Valve Fit: We pipe in the TMV3 (Thermostatic Mixing Valve). This blends hot and cold water before it reaches the tap, guaranteeing anti-scald safety.

Day 2 (and 3): Fitting & Commissioning

• Leveling: We maneuver the new bath into place. It has a steel sub-frame that we level to the millimeter to ensure the door mechanism seals tight.

• Electricals: If you chose a Power Lift or Spa System, our electrician connects the fused spur safely (Part P compliant).

• Making Good: We box in any unsightly pipework and tile or panel the walls to cover gaps.

• Safety Commissioning: We don’t just leave. We fill the bath to test the door seal, and we calibrate the water temperature to a safe maximum (usually 41°C) to prevent accidental scalding.

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The “Tiling Gap” Problem (And How We Fix It)

This is the question most people forget to ask.
When you pull out an old bath, the wall tiles usually stop at the rim. A Walk-In Bath is often higher or a different shape. This leaves a gap of bare wall.

We have 3 solutions:

1. Re-Tiling: If you have spare tiles, we can patch the gap.
2. End Panels: Some baths come with extended panels to cover gaps.
3. Waterproof Wall Panels (Recommended): We often install “Multipanel” boards around the bath area. They go over the old tiles/gaps, are 100% waterproof, and create a clean, modern finish without the mess of re-tiling.

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Why You Need Specialist Installers (Not a Handyman)

You might be tempted to ask a local plumber to fit an internet-bought bath. Here is why that is risky.

1. The Door Tension: Walk-in bath doors need precise calibration. If the frame isn’t leveled perfectly, the door will warp and leak.
2. The Drainage: A standard plumber might connect both wastes to a single pipe. This creates a bottleneck, meaning the bath takes 15 minutes to drain. We use high-flow pipework to ensure rapid drainage.
3. TMV3 Safety: A general handyman may not have the tools or knowledge to calibrate the thermostatic valve to prevent scalding—a vital safety check for elderly skin.

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Frequently Asked Questions (Installation)

Q: Will I be without a toilet overnight?
A: Rarely. We usually prioritize keeping the toilet operational at the end of every day. If your installation requires moving the toilet and it will be out of action, we will discuss this with you before we start so you can make arrangements (or we can provide a temporary chemical commode).

Q: What if you find rotten floorboards?
A: Old baths often leak for years unnoticed. If we lift the bath and find damaged floorboards, we will show you immediately. We can reinforce or replace the timber to ensure your new bath is safe. (Note: This may extend the installation time slightly).

Q: How soon can I use it?
A: We recommend waiting 24 hours after completion. This allows the silicone sealant to cure fully and ensures the watertight integrity of the installation.

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Ready for your Transformation?

A safer bathroom is closer than you think.

Book a Free Technical Survey
We will check your floor structure, water pressure, and waste pipes to give you an honest, accurate installation timeline