Q&A for How to Install a Grab Bar

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Question

How far from the floor should the grab bar be?

Community Answer

Generally, you should put it around waist level, but if it's uncomfortable there, move it to where you feel most comfortable holding onto it.

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Question

What is the ADA standard wall height for a grab bar?

Community Answer

Standard wall heights vary based on ceiling heights. Residential buildings typically have a standard wall height of eight feet. Commercial facilities have a standard of 10 feet.

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Question

What should I do if my shower enclosure is fiberglass?

Community Answer

I would not recommend installing a grab bar on or around any kind of fiberglass without reinforcing it first. Someone could fall and get seriously injured otherwise.

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Question

Why does the grab bar show rust on the tile?

Steve Korbey

Community Answer

Whoever installed it failed to caulk or silicone seal the mounting plates. They may have also used the wrong screws, which can rust. I had to remove and reinstall mine two years after they were fitted by a qualified fitter. I treated the plate with a rust converter and cleaned the whole area with CLR before refitting the bar using silicone caulking and stainless steel screws.

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Question

I understand about drilling through the tiles, but behind the tiles is a cement wall. How can I be sure the grab bar will be 45° fixed?

Walter Brant

Community Answer

Be sure it is a cement wall and not cement backer board. If it is a cement wall, drill through the tiles with tile bits. Drill 1/8" holes, and then use a larger bit to re-drill them to the correct size. Drill into the concrete with a 3/16" bit and mount the grab bar using 1/4" "concrete screws". These are always blue, but from different brands.

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Question

Can a hand bar be mounted on a plaster wall in a 1940's home?

Walter Brant

Community Answer

You must use 2" heavy screws, and they must be screwed into wall studs. The plate at each end of a grab bar has three holes for screws, so you must screw in one or two of the screws at an angle for three screws to go into a 2x4 wall stud.

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Question

Do I need to remove trim before installing a grab bar? Can I install it over the trim?

Walter Brant

Community Answer

You must chisel out a large notch in the trim for the grab bar. The grab bar could never be mounted safely over the top of trim.

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Question

The grab bar is a little loose. Can it be retightened?

Walter Brant

Community Answer

There are several reasons it could be loose. The only safe thing to do is to remove it and remount it to make it tight again. Don't leave it loose.

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