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#1
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Installing grab bars in an acrylic shower
I've got to install some grab bars in the shower for mom. I've seen the
kind that mount with suction cups but we need something sturdier. Can anyone who has installed some give me pointers? I am thinking what I will need would be a: level drill caulk stud finder measuring tape and that I should look for the kind with long screws that will bite into the (hopefully) wooden studs that should be mounted on 16" centers. I'd appreciate any thoughts or input and/or sources for the grab bars. Not sure if the local Home Depot or Lowe's handles such things. I bought clamp on tub bars there, but don't recall seeing screw-in bars. TIA -- Bobby G. |
#2
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Installing grab bars in an acrylic shower
"Robert Green" wrote (hopefully) wooden studs that should be mounted on 16" centers. I'd appreciate any thoughts or input and/or sources for the grab bars. Look for a medical supply store, they will sell them. Online, too, of course. Good luck, sorry I can't help you with the installation. nancy |
#3
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Installing grab bars in an acrylic shower
"Nancy Young" wrote in message
. .. "Robert Green" wrote (hopefully) wooden studs that should be mounted on 16" centers. I'd appreciate any thoughts or input and/or sources for the grab bars. Look for a medical supply store, they will sell them. Online, too, of course. Good luck, sorry I can't help you with the installation. Good idea. I found a few on Ebay (almost all were suction cup types) if I can't scrounge one up locally. It's the installation part that's really got me worried. I saw them do a set on This Old House a long time ago, at the grab bar they used had an umbrella-like toggle bolt that expanded when pushed through the hole and then you screwed it in tight. Darned if I can find it on their website, now, though! (-: I am not even sure if this type of shower wall can withstand that sort of stress, even with that umbrella thing. I've had enough suction cup experience to know I don't want mom's bones depending on them maintaining a vacuum. I keep finding my toothbrush holder lying in the sink in the mornings after it's suction cup unsucked. Thanks for the suggestion, Nancy. -- Bobby G. |
#4
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Installing grab bars in an acrylic shower
On Jun 12, 11:30 am, "Robert Green"
wrote: "Nancy Young" wrote in message . .. "Robert Green" wrote (hopefully) wooden studs that should be mounted on 16" centers. I'd appreciate any thoughts or input and/or sources for the grab bars. Look for a medical supply store, they will sell them. Online, too, of course. Good luck, sorry I can't help you with the installation. Good idea. I found a few on Ebay (almost all were suction cup types) if I can't scrounge one up locally. It's the installation part that's really got me worried. I saw them do a set on This Old House a long time ago, at the grab bar they used had an umbrella-like toggle bolt that expanded when pushed through the hole and then you screwed it in tight. Darned if I can find it on their website, now, though! (-: I am not even sure if this type of shower wall can withstand that sort of stress, even with that umbrella thing. I've had enough suction cup experience to know I don't want mom's bones depending on them maintaining a vacuum. I keep finding my toothbrush holder lying in the sink in the mornings after it's suction cup unsucked. Thanks for the suggestion, Nancy. -- Bobby G. Nancy: If you can't find and or do not use that 'umbrella type expanding bolt', suggest you use good quality stainless steel screws etc. Other kinds may rust or corrode. There is sort of clear plastic bar in our tub/shower enclosure. but it's too low to be much help. In our case did not wish to try and fasten anything to the less than one quarter inch thick enclosure tub walls*. However I was able to mount a substantial stainless vertical handle with four long ss screws just to the side of the tube enclosure. The ss screws go through the plasterboard and into the two by four structure around the tub opening. I can use the right hand while stepping into the tub and can reach it with left hand stepping out. Helps my my 73+ year old knees etc. Very solid and it looks like short but vertical towel bar. In fact it could be used as such. * If you do have to attach something to the wall of the tub/shower and do not know where there is any wood behind to attach to, is there any way to reach in and place say a piece of scrap plywood against the back surface of the acrylic in order to spread the loading? How far away from say a wood studded wall is the back wall surface of the tub. You could use some pretty long (four, six inch etc.) ss screws; right? Can completely understand the dilemma; cos once having drilled hole through the tub wall if it's in the wrong place .........! Anything substantial above (unlikely?) that could support a stainless steel chain-handle-grip? Just a thought anyway. |
#5
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Installing grab bars in an acrylic shower
"Robert Green" wrote "Nancy Young" wrote Look for a medical supply store, they will sell them. Online, too, of course. Good luck, sorry I can't help you with the installation. Good idea. I found a few on Ebay (almost all were suction cup types) if I can't scrounge one up locally. I wouldn't go to ebay for this, I would google. I see many sources there from medical supply places. It's the installation part that's really got me worried. I saw them do a set on This Old House a long time ago, at the grab bar they used had an umbrella-like toggle bolt that expanded when pushed through the hole and then you screwed it in tight. Sounds to me like a situation where there weren't studs in the right place. I'm no expert, but I would look for a stud to attach it. I've had enough suction cup experience to know I don't want mom's bones depending on them maintaining a vacuum. I keep finding my toothbrush holder lying in the sink in the mornings after it's suction cup unsucked. Heh, yeah, you don't want to find your mother lying in the sink. Google on shower grab bars if you can't find a place near you. One of those places that sells all kinds of walkers and whatnot. I hope they come with good installation directions. This is important. nancy |
#6
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Installing grab bars in an acrylic shower
Robert Green wrote:
I've got to install some grab bars in the shower for mom. I've seen the kind that mount with suction cups but we need something sturdier. Can anyone who has installed some give me pointers? I am thinking what I will need would be a: level drill caulk stud finder measuring tape and that I should look for the kind with long screws that will bite into the (hopefully) wooden studs that should be mounted on 16" centers. I'd appreciate any thoughts or input and/or sources for the grab bars. Not sure if the local Home Depot or Lowe's handles such things. I bought clamp on tub bars there, but don't recall seeing screw-in bars. TIA -- Bobby G. They have them at Home Depot, in several styles and lengths. I'm remodeling my bathroom, and at the back of the tub where the towel rack goes I put a medium-duty grab bar that *looks* like a towel rack. And on the side wall where the soap dish normally goes, instead I put a heavy-duty grab bar (that looks like a grab bar) for Wife and DD to line up all their bottles of shampoo on. Both had long wood screws to fasten to the framing. You're supposed to make sure 2 of the 3 screws at each end go into a stud. HTH :-) Bob |
#7
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Installing grab bars in an acrylic shower
I've seen them at Lowe's, so I know they carry them. They had a whole
line of "accessibility" items for the bathroom in one aisle. On Jun 12, 8:41 am, "Robert Green" wrote: I've got to install some grab bars in the shower for mom. I've seen the kind that mount with suction cups but we need something sturdier. Can anyone who has installed some give me pointers? I am thinking what I will need would be a: level drill caulk stud finder measuring tape and that I should look for the kind with long screws that will bite into the (hopefully) wooden studs that should be mounted on 16" centers. I'd appreciate any thoughts or input and/or sources for the grab bars. Not sure if the local Home Depot or Lowe's handles such things. I bought clamp on tub bars there, but don't recall seeing screw-in bars. TIA -- Bobby G. |
#8
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Installing grab bars in an acrylic shower
Nancy, try wetting the cups first. Works on hanging stained glass doodas on
my windows. I usually spit on them. -- BetsyB "Robert Green" wrote in message ... "Nancy Young" wrote in message . .. "Robert Green" wrote (hopefully) wooden studs that should be mounted on 16" centers. I'd appreciate any thoughts or input and/or sources for the grab bars. Look for a medical supply store, they will sell them. Online, too, of course. Good luck, sorry I can't help you with the installation. Good idea. I found a few on Ebay (almost all were suction cup types) if I can't scrounge one up locally. It's the installation part that's really got me worried. I saw them do a set on This Old House a long time ago, at the grab bar they used had an umbrella-like toggle bolt that expanded when pushed through the hole and then you screwed it in tight. Darned if I can find it on their website, now, though! (-: I am not even sure if this type of shower wall can withstand that sort of stress, even with that umbrella thing. I've had enough suction cup experience to know I don't want mom's bones depending on them maintaining a vacuum. I keep finding my toothbrush holder lying in the sink in the mornings after it's suction cup unsucked. Thanks for the suggestion, Nancy. -- Bobby G. |
#9
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Installing grab bars in an acrylic shower
On Tue, 12 Jun 2007 08:41:55 -0400, "Robert Green"
wrote: stud finder Locate the wall studs by checking above the enclosure. Use a level or plumb bob to get yourself close for the handle..and find the studs. I would follow the stainless steel screw comment. BTW, you may have a specific local code too abide by. -- Oren "The voices in my head may not be real, but they have some good ideas!" |
#10
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Installing grab bars in an acrylic shower
On Tue, 12 Jun 2007 09:30:22 -0400, "Robert Green"
wrote: Good idea. I found a few on Ebay (almost all were suction cup types) if I can't scrounge one up locally. It's the installation part that's really got me worried. I saw them do a set on This Old House a long time ago, at the grab bar they used had an umbrella-like toggle bolt that expanded when Umbrella=like are not toggles. They might be mollies, I forget, but not toggles, which go up and down like toggle switches. But you don't want to use them. Especially in the case of a shower or bath tub where water might get in and ruin the sheetrock which is all that mollies and toggles hold to. Find a stud. Shame on This Old House. I'll bet Bob Villa's mother wasn't going to live there. pushed through the hole and then you screwed it in tight. Darned if I can find it on their website, now, though! (-: I am not even sure if this type of shower wall can withstand that sort of stress, even with that umbrella If we're only talking about the acrylic shower wall, it can't take any stress. It's plastic. thing. |
#11
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Installing grab bars in an acrylic shower
On Tue, 12 Jun 2007 08:41:55 -0400, "Robert Green"
wrote: I've got to install some grab bars in the shower for mom. I've seen the kind that mount with suction cups but we need something sturdier. Can anyone who has installed some give me pointers? I am thinking what I will need would be a: level Although level is good, you also want to eyeball it too. In a few cases I think some things can look better based on what is pleasing to the eye. Of course your mother has the big vote on this. I wouldn't buy a level just for this unless you want one. drill caulk stud finder Magnetic stud finders are not much help. Electronic stud finders are great. I forget what brand I have, black and yellow i think (if the cheaper company didn't copy that. ) measuring tape and that I should look for the kind with long screws that will bite into the (hopefully) NOt just hopefullly. Essentially. Nothing else is safe. My mother wanted hers vertical, but if your bar is the wrong length to get studs at both ends, then don't mount the bar level. You have to have studs at both ends. wooden studs that should be mounted on 16" centers. I'd appreciate any thoughts or input and/or sources for the grab bars. Not sure if the local Home Depot or Lowe's handles such things. I bought clamp on tub bars there, but don't recall seeing screw-in bars. Most drugstores like Walgreens, Rite-Aid, independents, sell things like this. They might have a smaller selection than medical supply stores, but what you want is among the most common things and they might well have it. There are a lot of medical supply stores**. They often look something like drugstores from the outside. Particularly likely to be close to hospitals but elsewhere too. They sell retail all the time. **Where I lived, in a town of 30,000 both the corner grocery and the corner toy store 5 blocks away became medical supply stores. I put one of those on for my mother. In her case she wanted it just outside the tub so she could hold on while lifting her leg over the tub. She also got a bench for sitting in the tub. TIA |
#12
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Installing grab bars in an acrylic shower
On Tue, 12 Jun 2007 08:41:55 -0400, "Robert Green"
wrote: stud finder If you want the bar in the shower, the electronic stud finder should work right through the acryllic and the sheet rock, but if you have doubts, go above the acryllic part, between that and the ceiling. |
#13
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Installing grab bars in an acrylic shower
"betsyb" wrote Nancy, try wetting the cups first. Works on hanging stained glass doodas on my windows. I usually spit on them. Thanks for the suggestion, betsy, but it's Robert's toothbrushes giving him a hard time. nancy |
#14
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Installing grab bars in an acrylic shower
On Tue, 12 Jun 2007 08:41:55 -0400, "Robert Green"
wrote: I've got to install some grab bars in the shower for mom. I've seen the kind that mount with suction cups but we need something sturdier. Can anyone who has installed some give me pointers? I am thinking what I will need would be a: level drill caulk stud finder measuring tape and that I should look for the kind with long screws that will bite into the (hopefully) wooden studs that should be mounted on 16" centers. I'd appreciate any thoughts or input and/or sources for the grab bars. Not sure if the local Home Depot or Lowe's handles such things. I bought clamp on tub bars there, but don't recall seeing screw-in bars. TIA I saw several heavy-duty grab bars at a salvage place for cheap--better than the $60 ones at the BORG. Get the 4 or 6 foot ones (you never know where/how you're gonna fall). Each end of the grab bar typically has three holes--two of the three must go into a stud. If need be, cut a hole on the other side of the wall and install a 2x4 against the shower wall--yes, this does add another job of patching the wall but if you cut the hole along the middle of the stud you can replace the removed piece fairly easily. The grab bar should be able to handle a 300-pound force. Use silicone caulk. |
#15
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Installing grab bars in an acrylic shower
"Nancy Young" wrote in message
... "betsyb" wrote Nancy, try wetting the cups first. Works on hanging stained glass doodas on my windows. I usually spit on them. Thanks for the suggestion, betsy, but it's Robert's toothbrushes giving him a hard time. nancy (-: Usenet's always been a little like that kid's game where messages get whispered up or down a line of people. "The bear went over the mountain" becomes "bend over mouse man" or something similar. I'm the one with the grab bar problem and the unstuck suction cups. And yes, I do wet them, I scrub the tile with alcohol, ammonia, bleach and more but it doesn't make any difference. I suspect the cups themselves are slightly porous (they are clear, not black rubber) and over time air gets in and it pops. Not so bad for toothbrushes but disaster for grab bars! -- Bobby G. |
#16
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Installing grab bars in an acrylic shower
"mm" wrote in message
... On Tue, 12 Jun 2007 09:30:22 -0400, "Robert Green" wrote: Good idea. I found a few on Ebay (almost all were suction cup types) if I can't scrounge one up locally. It's the installation part that's really got me worried. I saw them do a set on This Old House a long time ago, at the grab bar they used had an umbrella-like toggle bolt that expanded when Umbrella=like are not toggles. They might be mollies, I forget, but not toggles, which go up and down like toggle switches. I know. The umbrellas work by the same principle though: a nut with wings which close for passage through a small hole and spring open after passing through the hole to keep the bolt from slipping back through. In this case, think of the toggle as being rotated 360 degrees so that the force against the plastic shower wall is distributed over a much larger number of square inches than the standard toggle bolt. But you don't want to use them. Especially in the case of a shower or bath tub where water might get in and ruin the sheetrock which is all that mollies and toggles hold to. Find a stud. These looked to be designed to distribute the force over a large area. Anything like this needs to be appropriately caulked to prevent water ingress, I agree. Things could get pretty grim if I drill holes where I thought there were studs but there weren't or if I don't get a solid bite on the studs I do find. I still might be tempted to go with the umbrella bolt (if there is such a term!) because that depends on NOT finding a stud, and that's always easier than finding one just because of the probabilities - you're looking for 2" of matter against 14" of empty space. I believe that makes it one in seven chances to hit a stud randomly. Shame on This Old House. I'll bet Bob Villa's mother wasn't going to live there. It was the new guys. IIRC, it was this episode: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/vide...6206,1192720,0 0.html http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/vide...192720,00.html pushed through the hole and then you screwed it in tight. Darned if I can find it on their website, now, though! (-: I am not even sure if this type of shower wall can withstand that sort of stress, even with that umbrella If we're only talking about the acrylic shower wall, it can't take any stress. It's plastic. Pretty sure the above technique used the board behind the shower wall for anchoring. -- Bobby G. |
#17
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Installing grab bars in an acrylic shower
"zxcvbob" wrote in message
... Robert Green wrote: I've got to install some grab bars in the shower for mom. I've seen the kind that mount with suction cups but we need something sturdier. Can anyone who has installed some give me pointers? I am thinking what I will need would be a: level drill caulk stud finder measuring tape and that I should look for the kind with long screws that will bite into the (hopefully) wooden studs that should be mounted on 16" centers. I'd appreciate any thoughts or input and/or sources for the grab bars. Not sure if the local Home Depot or Lowe's handles such things. I bought clamp on tub bars there, but don't recall seeing screw-in bars. TIA -- Bobby G. They have them at Home Depot, in several styles and lengths. I'm remodeling my bathroom, and at the back of the tub where the towel rack goes I put a medium-duty grab bar that *looks* like a towel rack. And on the side wall where the soap dish normally goes, instead I put a heavy-duty grab bar (that looks like a grab bar) for Wife and DD to line up all their bottles of shampoo on. Both had long wood screws to fasten to the framing. You're supposed to make sure 2 of the 3 screws at each end go into a stud. HTH :-) We're probably going to end up having a contractor do it that's already done several others in my mother's condo. But it's nice to know what to look for. Thanks! -- Bobby G. Bob |
#18
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Installing grab bars in an acrylic shower
Thanks. Sometime's I can never find what I am looking for at the BigBox
stores until I go again, looking for something else! -- Bobby G. "Andrew Duane" wrote in message oups.com... I've seen them at Lowe's, so I know they carry them. They had a whole line of "accessibility" items for the bathroom in one aisle. On Jun 12, 8:41 am, "Robert Green" wrote: I've got to install some grab bars in the shower for mom. I've seen the kind that mount with suction cups but we need something sturdier. Can anyone who has installed some give me pointers? I am thinking what I will need would be a: level drill caulk stud finder measuring tape and that I should look for the kind with long screws that will bite into the (hopefully) wooden studs that should be mounted on 16" centers. I'd appreciate any thoughts or input and/or sources for the grab bars. Not sure if the local Home Depot or Lowe's handles such things. I bought clamp on tub bars there, but don't recall seeing screw-in bars. TIA -- Bobby G. |
#19
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Installing grab bars in an acrylic shower
"Phisherman" wrote in message
... On Tue, 12 Jun 2007 08:41:55 -0400, "Robert Green" wrote: I've got to install some grab bars in the shower for mom. I've seen the kind that mount with suction cups but we need something sturdier. Can anyone who has installed some give me pointers? I am thinking what I will need would be a: level drill caulk stud finder measuring tape and that I should look for the kind with long screws that will bite into the (hopefully) wooden studs that should be mounted on 16" centers. I'd appreciate any thoughts or input and/or sources for the grab bars. Not sure if the local Home Depot or Lowe's handles such things. I bought clamp on tub bars there, but don't recall seeing screw-in bars. TIA I saw several heavy-duty grab bars at a salvage place for cheap--better than the $60 ones at the BORG. Get the 4 or 6 foot ones (you never know where/how you're gonna fall). Each end of the grab bar typically has three holes--two of the three must go into a stud. If need be, cut a hole on the other side of the wall and install a 2x4 against the shower wall--yes, this does add another job of patching the wall but if you cut the hole along the middle of the stud you can replace the removed piece fairly easily. The grab bar should be able to handle a 300-pound force. Use silicone caulk. I'm really hoping to avoid having to bust up the walls. Caulk's a must for this kind of work, along with SS screws that won't leave rust trails. Thanks! -- Bobby G. |
#20
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Installing grab bars in an acrylic shower
"Oren" wrote in message
... On Tue, 12 Jun 2007 08:41:55 -0400, "Robert Green" wrote: stud finder Locate the wall studs by checking above the enclosure. Good idea. I probably would have (foolishly) tried to find the studs right at grab bar level. Your way makes more sense. Use a level or plumb bob to get yourself close for the handle..and find the studs. I would follow the stainless steel screw comment. Yes. I intend to look for SS screws and some good silicone caulk to make sure water doesn't get in through the bolt holes. BTW, you may have a specific local code too abide by. Very good point. Another reason to have a local contractor perform the work. -- Bobby G. |
#21
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Installing grab bars in an acrylic shower
On Tue, 12 Jun 2007 16:43:25 -0400, mm
wrote: NOt just hopefullly. Essentially. Nothing else is safe. My mother wanted hers vertical, but if your bar is the wrong length to get studs at both ends, then don't mount the bar level. You have to have studs at both ends. Remember, there are plenty of kids at summer camp, even if you zap one of them, but you only get one mother. (or these days, up to 5.) |
#22
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Installing grab bars in an acrylic shower
"Robert Green" wrote in message ... I've got to install some grab bars in the shower for mom. I've seen the kind that mount with suction cups but we need something sturdier. Most bigbox grab bars are not on sixteen inch centers. And yes, you need to screw the bar to solid wood like studs. I had a similar need a couple of years ago and found this Really Good solution. Available in sixteen and thirty two inch versions. Even if you let a contractor install it, I definitely recommend the 'extendahand' bar. Many bars are too close to the wall for good leverage. This solves that by folding up and away from the wall. http://www.extendahand.com/ |
#23
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Installing grab bars in an acrylic shower
"Robert Green" wrote in message I still might be tempted to go with the umbrella bolt (if there is such a term!) because that depends on NOT finding a stud, and that's always easier than finding one just because of the probabilities - you're looking for 2" of matter against 14" of empty space. I believe that makes it one in seven chances to hit a stud randomly. Do it right. Please, try to get at least one end is properly anchored in wood. Here are some other types of bars to consider http://www.barrierfree.org/categorie...cat=showerbars http://www.diadot.com/catalog/index....0472bcac6daa00 If you can't find a stud, don't use some cheap Home Depot anchor, use something made for the purpose http://www.ocelco.com/products/bathr...697_p3277.html http://www.ocelco.com/products/bathr...697_p9112.html |
#24
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Installing grab bars in an acrylic shower
On Tue, 12 Jun 2007 21:58:13 -0400, "Robert Green"
wrote: I still might be tempted to go with the umbrella bolt (if there is such a term!) because that depends on NOT finding a stud, and that's always easier than finding one just because of the probabilities - you're looking for 2" of matter against 14" of empty space. I believe that makes it one in seven chances to hit a stud randomly. Stop relying on chance and don't be tempted. Do it right. We've all warned you, but you can't give up on your original plan because you thought of it and so you're in love with it. It's all about you, not your mother. Save your umbrella bolts for hanging a painting or a shelf some day. (Although even a shelf I would put into the studs.) Not only don't bars have to be horizontal or level, most of the ones I've seen aren't. |
#25
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Installing grab bars in an acrylic shower
"lee houston" wrote in message
. net... "Robert Green" wrote in message ... I've got to install some grab bars in the shower for mom. I've seen the kind that mount with suction cups but we need something sturdier. Most bigbox grab bars are not on sixteen inch centers. And yes, you need to screw the bar to solid wood like studs. I had a similar need a couple of years ago and found this Really Good solution. Available in sixteen and thirty two inch versions. Even if you let a contractor install it, I definitely recommend the 'extendahand' bar. Many bars are too close to the wall for good leverage. This solves that by folding up and away from the wall. http://www.extendahand.com/ Good find - thanks! -- Bobby G. |
#26
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Installing grab bars in an acrylic shower
On Tue, 12 Jun 2007 22:10:35 -0400, "Robert Green"
wrote: Locate the wall studs by checking above the enclosure. Good idea. I probably would have (foolishly) tried to find the studs right at grab bar level. Your way makes more sense. I wouoldn't have called it foolish. I think you'll get the same reading, and in your shoes even if checked above, I'd check at grab bar level also just to see if the plastic shower wall interferes or not. To know for future situations. Use a level or plumb bob to get yourself close for the handle..and find the studs. I would follow the stainless steel screw comment. Yes. I intend to look for SS screws and some good silicone caulk to make sure water doesn't get in through the bolt holes. Admittedly the one bar I have direct experience with was outside the tub and probably never got wet, but I think at least with the more expensive bars the included screws are plated well enough. I used the included screws and I think their plating matched the bar. I know they were long, and I drilled my hole one size too small, and it was a bear when I had to remove them when my mother moved. |
#27
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Installing grab bars in an acrylic shower
On Tue, 12 Jun 2007 22:10:35 -0400, "Robert Green"
wrote: "Oren" wrote in message .. . On Tue, 12 Jun 2007 08:41:55 -0400, "Robert Green" wrote: stud finder Locate the wall studs by checking above the enclosure. Good idea. I probably would have (foolishly) tried to find the studs right at grab bar level. Your way makes more sense. Using a 6d finish nail, drive into the center of the stud above. A string attached to the nail and weight anchored with a nut/nail will get you close on the vertical. In '95 I bought a house from a builder. I slipped in one day to see the progress. I must have counted 15 16d nails sticking through the shower enclosure. I lived there 10 years and could never see the fixes. I was impressed. My panic was no worry for the builder.:-) Use a level or plumb bob to get yourself close for the handle..and find the studs. I would follow the stainless steel screw comment. Yes. I intend to look for SS screws and some good silicone caulk to make sure water doesn't get in through the bolt holes. BTW, you may have a specific local code too abide by. Very good point. Another reason to have a local contractor perform the work. Mom deserves the BEST!! -- Oren "The voices in my head may not be real, but they have some good ideas!" |
#28
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Installing grab bars in an acrylic shower
On Wed, 13 Jun 2007 11:10:48 -0400, mm
wrote: On Tue, 12 Jun 2007 22:10:35 -0400, "Robert Green" wrote: Locate the wall studs by checking above the enclosure. Good idea. I probably would have (foolishly) tried to find the studs right at grab bar level. Your way makes more sense. I wouoldn't have called it foolish. I think you'll get the same reading, and in your shoes even if checked above, I'd check at grab bar level also just to see if the plastic shower wall interferes or not. To know for future situations. Not foolish; but not a thought out DIY job, so he asked.... Sure, studs needs to be checked at handle level. The plumb bob I mentioned is to approximate the stud location behind the enclosure. Sure to get him close. For the OP.. do not tighten screws so far as to pull the wall of the enclosure and create spider cracks out and away from the screws. The idea of material from the backside of the wall is also good advice! Solid... -- Oren "The voices in my head may not be real, but they have some good ideas!" |
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