Handicap Grab Bars Installation: A Quick Guide

Bathrooms can be hazardous for people with disabilities and limited mobility. Such individuals are often injured when they try to step out of the bathtub or shower and slip. Handicap grab bars can help you avoid accidents. These bars can bear 250 pounds of weight and if they’re installed correctly, they’ll offer solid support. At Boston Ironworks, we recommend that you follow the steps mentioned below carefully to ensure the bars are securely installed.

1. Gather all the Tools You Need for Handicap Railings Installation

Pencil
Drill
Masking Tape
Grab Bar
Glass and tile bit that’s sized according to the wall anchors
Wooden metal bit that’s sized according to the wall anchors
Wall screws
Hand screwdriver
Shower caulk
Place masking tape where you intend to mount the bar and position the grab bar accordingly.
Mark the places where you need to drill with a pencil.
Use the glass and tile bit to pre-drill the holes in the tile wall.
Change to the wooden bit and drill into the stud behind the tile walls.
Push the anchors into the drilled holes and pack them in carefully.
Secure the bar over the holes and add the screws.
Seal the edges with shower caulk.

2. Mounting Location

Once you have everything you need, check the quality of the grab bar, screws, etc before you work on determining the placement. Handicap railings installation should be planned according to your requirements. For example, a grab bar for a wheelchair bound person should be placed lower in order to remain accessible. Once you have determined the height, you need to determine the location. The bar should be mounted on wall studs to ensure it doesn’t come off the wall.

The studs are placed around 16 inches apart from one another. You just need to knock on the wall and listen to determine if the studs are present behind the wall. If the knock sounds hollow, the stud isn’t present. You can also use a stud finder to determine the location and mark it. You need to find two studs to attach both ends of the bar too.

3. Installation

If you want to know about handicap railings installation, you can call Boston Ironworks at 617 657 3117. You can also fill in this contact us form. We’ll get in touch with you as soon as possible.