| Along with the disabled and elderly, families with young | | | | temporary installations that clamp on the side of a |
| children and even a pregnant mom will benefit from | | | | bathtub to assist with getting in and out. |
| the extra added security in being able to safely enter | | | | The most important rule to follow in a permanent |
| and exit a bathtub or shower area. We all know | | | | installation is that any safety grab bar must be |
| slipping and falling on a wet bathroom surface is no fun | | | | attached to a wood wall stud or a pre-placed interior |
| and can be dangerous. | | | | wall block 2 x 6 or 8. Common wall anchors or molly |
| The first point here is to be sure we have the correct | | | | bolts are not acceptable and could just be a problem |
| bar. Being that this is a wet environment, most bars | | | | and or worse yet, an injury later. |
| are stainless steel, but there are other moisture | | | | After saying all that, I know there is a wall anchor out |
| resistant choices such as powder coat paint, brass | | | | there that meets mounting standards and is called |
| and even different shapes that don't quite look like the | | | | Toggler, I have personally never used any of these but |
| traditional curve ended institutional stainless, although | | | | they are supposed to be acceptable for mounting |
| stainless is the most functional and cleans up the best. | | | | grab bars when no stud in the wall is available in the |
| ADA (American Disabilities Act) compliant bars are the | | | | position needed. This is an option to consider when |
| only ones to use and are available most anywhere | | | | necessary, but the best way at all possible is use the |
| and are fairly simple to install when following the | | | | studs as first choice. |
| instructions provided with no shortcuts to ensure a | | | | Many bars are installed at an angle to match up with |
| proper installation. When installed properly, they are | | | | the studs, in addition to horizontal and vertical, and still |
| rated to withstand a 500 lbs. pull. | | | | will allow versatility for the user. |
| Most bars come in various lengths from 12 to 48 | | | | If you are in a remodel situation and have removed the |
| inches for the straight ones, to ones that have right | | | | old tub, or shower, and have the walls open, then that |
| angles and even ones that can be custom made if | | | | would be the time to put in pre-placed 2x6 or 8 |
| you have an unusual or specific install situation. | | | | blocking between studs for exact placement of bars |
| Diameters are 1 1/2 (commercial) and 1 1/4 inch, with 1 1 | | | | later, just a little planning ahead for placement will make |
| 2 inch clearance between bar and surface. The 1 1/4 | | | | for proper, safe installation when finishing the project. |
| inch diameter is ample for any residential use. | | | | Just be sure to write down measurements in order to |
| Some safety bars are fold away in function, | | | | locate the blocks later for easier installation. |
| particularly ones meant for use around toilets, which | | | | So many repair and specialty items are now available |
| then gives the option for either use, depending upon | | | | to us than used to be, with a little direction and the right |
| who needs the bar or not, and there are smaller more | | | | tools, you can also do this job yourself.. |