On Sat, 31 May 2008 20:15:43 -0700 (PDT), OrkoPolo
wrote:

I am installing a 16" grab bar from Liberty Hardware inside a
fiberglass shower stall for a 6'4" 220lb man. More information he

http://www.libertyhardware.com/searc...A5316SN&FIN=SN

I have two questions:

1) Do I need to do anything to re-enforce the space between the shower
stall and the wall stud? There is an air gap of approximately 1/2"
between the outside of the fiberglass enclosure and where it is going
to enter the 2"x6" stud. The installation instructions do not refer
to this. Do I need to do anything besides drill the holes and use the
anchor bolts that were included in the package?

2) The fiberglass shower unit is not flat. There is no place to mount
the bar where it is flat, like shown on the installation instructions,
since the whole enclosure is curved slightly. Therefore if I follow
the instructions, the wall mounts will not be flush against the walls
of the shower, making a leak possible. What would you recommend using
to provide a gasket between the wall mount brackets and the fiberglass
shower encosure? I was thinking of just finding some 1/2" foam rubber
with sufficient compression to make a good seal, and possibly caulking
just in case. I would want this to last a long time though...so no
shortcuts if I can help it.

Please provide guidance on this type of installation as soon as
possible, since my father-in-law will be out of the hospital and in
his home on Monday afternoon. I would like him to be able to take his
first shower without worrying about the installation.

Thank you in advance!

Joe Sines


*Also posted he

http://groups.google.com/group/uk.pe...239707d95741bb

Ideally, you want a 2x4 with no gap between the wood and shower stall.
Molley or other anchors should not be used. You may need to remove
some drywall on the other side of the wall to install secure backing
and this will be the most difficult part of the job and there will be
some drywall repair work. Grab bars need to be secured and should
hold 500 pounds to prevent or catch a fall. You can mount the bar
vertically or in a slant, but think about where it would be convenient
to use getting in and out of the shower. For units that don't have
much of a flat surface, use two short grab bars, rather than one
longer one.