The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) laid out a clear guideline on the minimum dimensions and floor plan requirements for bathroom facilities with shower installation in Los Angeles. Implemented in 1990, the ADA is a civil rights law that forbids discrimination against disabled people. While compliance with it is mostly a business trend, your home can gain a lot from following the ADA’s home improvement guidelines.
Making your home’s shower space ADA-compliant offers long-term benefits to you and your family. Find out why you should seriously consider it for your next bathroom remodel.
The Benefits of Having an Accessible Shower Space
The beauty of investing in an accessible shower is that everyone can use it. You don’t have to worry about a houseguest having trouble getting into and using it. Aside from the increased accessibility, it will also allow you to:
- Reduce bathroom-related hazards
The bathroom is one of the home’s most accident-prone areas. With bathroom slips and falls making up more than two-thirds of emergency room visits, it’s crucial that you implement safety measures for your space.
Following the ADA’s home improvement guidelines regarding shower space is a great start. Since the guide is designed for disabled persons, for whom the risks of bathroom accidents are significantly higher, you’ll definitely lessen the occurrence of dangerous slips and falls.
- Entertain more guests
You can throw parties and make your home your peers’ go-to hangout spot if it’s well-equipped to accommodate the needs of every guest. This is where investing in accessible shower installation in Los Angeles comes in handy. With an ADA-compliant shower space, you can rest assured that your guests have an adequate bathing area.
- Prepare for the future
If you plan to age in place, take active measures today to make it more senior-friendly. Investing in a more accessible shower installation is a smart move. Not only will it set you up for the future early, but it’ll also allow you to get used to your new shower space.
On the other hand, if you’re planning to sell your home in the future, it is also imperative that you include bathroom renovation in your home remodeling plan. After all, considering its many advantages, an accessible, ADA-compliant bathroom is a great selling point to homebuyers.
Guidelines for Building an Accessible Shower at Home
For an ADA-compliant shower remodel in Los Angeles, remember these specifications when planning your bathroom renovation project:
- Roll in Shower Compartment
The shower space should be a minimum of 60 inches by 30 inches, to allow easy access and maneuverability to wheelchair users. These dimensions can be increased up to 60 inches by 36 inches to give caregivers sufficient space to assist.
- Spray Unit
For adjustable height showerhead units near a vertical slide bar, the bar must not get in the way of the individual’s reach of the grab bars. If the unit can be used as a handheld showerhead, the hose should be 59 inches long. If it’s a fixed showerhead, it must be installed 48 inches maximum above the floor for easy access.
- Grab Bars
Grab bars give the disabled person leverage when showering. They should be 1.25 to 1.5 inches in diameter, and weigh at least 250 lbs. They must be 33-36 inches above the floor and not more than 6 inches from the adjacent wall.
Make Your Shower Space More Accessible!
Rely on Payless Bath Makeover, your trusted bathroom remodeling contractor, for your specific shower installation needs. We have units especially made to suit persons from all walks of life. We can provide tub/shower conversion in DAYS not WEEKS and installations of bath wall surrounds in Los Angeles —all at reasonable rates! Call (888) 389-9995 now to schedule a complimentary consultation!
