Grab bars are an essential part of your tile shower plan.
Even if you don’t need them, you could.
Let’s talk about grab bars early and install blocking just in case.
What is blocking?
It’s wood that is attached to the inside of the stud bay BEHIND the tile, that gives the grab bar something sturdy to be attached to. If it was just attached to the tile it would fly off the wall when you have that “OH NO” moment.
Blocking goes in at the beginning of the shower build. Within the first couple days after demolition. We have the wall open, now’s a good time to get some blocking in.
Let’s talk about this early and nail down this detail.
Installing blocking is the part of a shower build when the tile guy becomes more than just a tile guy.
We become carpenters.
It’s fun to use so many skills in my trade.
If you’re wanting a grab bar (or 5) in your shower, how does that work? How do I choose one?
Pretty easy: Make a selection online, show us and we’ll make sure we get it. Stop by a show room or Home Depot and lay hands on what you like, also!
Plan for the extra expense. Could be as much as an extra four digits. $$.
I also mention, grab bars don’t have to look ugly either…A lot of the new fangled grab bars are down right STYLISH.
We recommend your grab bars be installed horizontally (or parallel to the shower floor.) The ADA also recommends the same. If you’re flailing during a fall, it’s been shown having the grab bars in this configuration is most effective.
With envelope cut shower pans, for example, a grab bar might come in handy due to a more slippery situation.
What about adding GRAB BARS AFTER THE FACT? You have an existing shower and you want to ADD grab bars. For an elderly parent, you’re newly disabled…you have a hitch in your gitty up and you want to add a grab bar to your EXISTING shower….how can you do it?
This is a tough one because you need the blocking in the wall…How do you install the blocking after a shower is completely done and in existence for many years? You need something SOLID to drop the screws into that holds the grab bar.
I’ve seen some use epoxy to attach the grab bar. I had one person show me his grab bar that he installed with epoxy, he said, “look how strong it is”…He put his body weight on it, AND IT CAME OFF THE WALL!
To me, epoxy is not the solution. You need the grab bars to be attached with a fastener.
Another option is toggle fasteners, like the one shown below:
I tend to think this is the BEST of all the BAD options.
Here’s the problem with toggle fasteners (or something similar) NO ONE HAS X RAY VISION. You don’t know what’s in the wall that you will screw into. There could be pipes in the wall, there could be heating and cooling ducts, I’ve seen all sorts of stuff in walls behind showers!
You drill a hole through the tile, WHOOPS there’s something in the way…Now you have a HOLE in your shower.
I don’t believe there is any good way to attach grab bars once a shower is built without blocking for a screw to bite into! Maybe you can educate me if you’ve discovered a way, that has a surefire success rate!
Comment below!
Even if you’re young and mobile, think about putting in grab bars. It’s simply a good insurance policy. Thank me when you’re falling in your shower! My email is protile85@gmail.com :P
Now, if you actually NEED grab bars, we’ll load you up with some SOLID options and make your shower the SAFEST and SECUREST spot in the house!
Ben here, signing out.
Thanks for reading and sharing!
It’s Ben from Hamilton Tile signing out!