In 1991, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that there were over 139,434 bathtub and shower injuries in a single year. Installing grab bars in a restroom is a safe and inexpensive way to help prevent slips and falls for individuals as they enter and exit a tile tub or shower area. While the installation process is actually fairly simple, there are still some considerations to address ensure the placement of the grab bars is not only functional for the user, but visually pleasing as well.
Instructions
1. Discuss the location for the placement of the grab bars with the person that will use them. Allow the individual to have some say in where the grab bars are installed so that she will use them.
2. Use a stud finder to find the studs located in the drywall or plaster above the tile of the tub or shower. Mark the area over the center of each stud that is the closest to where you wish to place the first grab bar.
3. Probe the areas around each stud by hammering in a small nail to locate the stud edges. Keep the holes small and make them in an area of the drywall or plaster where they will not be easily noticed. Mark the edges of the studs with the pencil.
4. Line a level up with the right edge of the first stud and continue to mark along the stud line downward onto the tile. Mark where the studs are located with half-inch masking tape. Repeat the process with the second located stud.
5. Hold the grab bar in the desired position with at least two of the screw holes over the studs. Mark these holes with a grease pencil.
6. Drill a hole in the center of each stud with a drill equipped with a 1/8-inch glass and tile bit. If the drill hits wood, proceed to drill the remaining holes. If it does not hit wood, use a piece of wire to poke through the hole, moving the wire until you feel it hit the wood. Hold the grab bar in the new desired position and mark the new holes with the grease pencil.
7. Enlarge the holes with a ¼-inch glass and tile bit. Switch bits to a 5/32-inch wood bit to make pilot holes in the wood. This will allow you to easily drive the screws into the wood. If any of the holes have missed the stud, place plastic anchors into the holes in the tile.
8. Caulk the back of the mounting flanges with tub and tile caulk. This will prevent water from getting behind the mounting flanges once they are in place and help attach them to the wall.
9. Screw the screws that were supplied with the grab bar into the wall with a drill. These screws need to sink at least one inch into the stud to be secure.
10. Test the grab bar by pulling on it to ensure that it is secure.
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