How to Install a Shower Grab Bar - DIY Bathroom Safety Upgrade, by The Jim Handy Channel on YouTube. 17 min 48 s.
- Video length
- 17 min 48 s
- Time to do it
- 1 hour
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Decide where the bar goes. Aim for about 33 to 36 inches above the floor, level, and close to where you step in and out.
Run the stud finder over the tile to find studs or blocking. Mark the edges with tape. Check for live wires before drilling.
Hold the bar against the wall at your height and set the level on it. Mark both flange hole centers with a pencil.
Check that both marks land on solid wood. If they do not, move the bar or add blocking behind the wall.
Drill pilot holes through the tile with a masonry bit, slightly smaller than the screws. Go slow and keep the bit cool.
Put a bead of sealant around each hole and on the back of each flange. This keeps water out of the wall.
Drive the screws through the flanges into the studs with the drill or screwdriver. Do not overtighten and crack the tile.
Check the bar with a level, then pull hard on it to test it holds your weight.
Snap the flange covers on and wipe away excess sealant with a damp cloth.
Tips and common mistakes
Never fix a grab bar to drywall or tile alone. It must go into studs or solid blocking.
Use a masonry bit for tile and keep light pressure so the tile does not chip or crack.
Seal every screw hole, not just the flange edge, to stop water getting behind the tile.
Test the finished bar with your full weight before anyone relies on it.
Questions
What if there are no studs where I want the bar?
Move the bar to line up with studs, or open the wall and add wood blocking between the studs. Toggle bolts alone are not safe for a grab bar.
Can I install a grab bar on a fiberglass tub surround?
Yes, but you still need blocking behind the panel. Drill through the fiberglass into the wood and seal the holes well.
How high should a shower grab bar be?
A common height is 33 to 36 inches above the floor, level with the bar. Check what feels right for the person using it.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
