My mother-in-law is having shoulder-replacement surgery following a
particularly bad fall, and I need to install a grab bar for her in the
shower. Her house was built in the '70s I believe, and the shower is
covered with ceramic tile up to about five feet. She has a stainless steel
bar that looks like it will work well, but I am not certain as to how to
install it for a trouble-free and usefull life. It is set up for 1/4"
screws, and I am wondering if anyone can tell me the best way to anchor it
ito ceramic tile. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

Dave

On 10/27/2011 9:17 AM, Dave wrote:
My mother-in-law is having shoulder-replacement surgery following a
particularly bad fall, and I need to install a grab bar for her in the
shower. Her house was built in the '70s I believe, and the shower is
covered with ceramic tile up to about five feet. She has a stainless steel
bar that looks like it will work well, but I am not certain as to how to
install it for a trouble-free and usefull life. It is set up for 1/4"
screws, and I am wondering if anyone can tell me the best way to anchor it
ito ceramic tile. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

Dave



it needs to be screwed into the studs behind the wall behind the tile
behind whatever the tile is mounted to. your first task is to find the
studs. use a diamond or carbide bit (see the tile dept of home depot) to
get through the tile, then use a regular bit to get through to the stud
and drill a pilot hole in the stud for those screws.

use plenty of silicone sealant to prevent water intrusion.

On Oct 27, 12:27*pm, chaniarts wrote:
On 10/27/2011 9:17 AM, Dave wrote:

My mother-in-law is having shoulder-replacement surgery following a
particularly bad fall, and I need to install a grab bar for her in the
shower. *Her house was built in the '70s I believe, and the shower is
covered with ceramic tile up to about five feet. *She has a stainless steel
bar that looks like it will work well, but I am not certain as to how to
install it for a trouble-free and usefull life. *It is set up for 1/4"
screws, and I am wondering if anyone can tell me the best way to anchor it
ito ceramic tile. *Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

Dave

it needs to be screwed into the studs behind the wall behind the tile
behind whatever the tile is mounted to. your first task is to find the
studs. use a diamond or carbide bit (see the tile dept of home depot) to
get through the tile, then use a regular bit to get through to the stud
and drill a pilot hole in the stud for those screws.

use plenty of silicone sealant to prevent water intrusion.

Right. You can locate the studs with a stud sensor above the tile, or
poke a finish nail just above the top of the tile, then plumb down.
Both ends of the grab bar should be anchored into the studs, and with
a lot of the grab bars, that requires installing it an angle. It
doesn't have to be horizontal.

R

On Oct 27, 9:27*am, chaniarts wrote:
it needs to be screwed into the studs behind the wall behind the tile
behind whatever the tile is mounted to. your first task is to find the
studs. use a diamond or carbide bit (see the tile dept of home depot) to
get through the tile, then use a regular bit to get through to the stud
and drill a pilot hole in the stud for those screws.

use plenty of silicone sealant to prevent water intrusion.

First of all -- what Chaniarts said -- ;0

Second, I've done this four times, the first time under the direction
of my father-in-law who, while not a builder, grew up helping his
contractor father build houses, and himself is a retired structural
engineer.

I would be tempted to go to a local plumbing supply shop and buy a
"dedicated" grab bar. It will be the proper size, etc and will come
with the proper hardware. Last time I did this, it was about $20.

Second, some communities offer "grab bar installation programs"
through something like a local coomunity senior center. In my area
the program is free, all you do is call the senior center and schedule
it. They do ask, if you can afford it, for a donation to help fund
supplies.

Good luck. Pretty simple task -- except for finding the studs.

If the tile does not go all the way to the top of the wall, as you
indicate, I would drill "search holes" in the wall above the tile to
aid in finding the actual stud. That is, if you think you have the
stud located, drill above to check.

There have been many times I think I found the stud and have been off
by a bit.

Then, once you KNOW where the stud is, you can easily track it under
the tile. Holes in the wall above the tile are easily patched and
spot-painted.

Holes in tile are not so easy to fix. Good luck.

On 10/27/2011 9:41 AM, tim birr wrote:
On Oct 27, 9:27 am, wrote:
it needs to be screwed into the studs behind the wall behind the tile
behind whatever the tile is mounted to. your first task is to find the
studs. use a diamond or carbide bit (see the tile dept of home depot) to
get through the tile, then use a regular bit to get through to the stud
and drill a pilot hole in the stud for those screws.

use plenty of silicone sealant to prevent water intrusion.

First of all -- what Chaniarts said -- ;0

Second, I've done this four times, the first time under the direction
of my father-in-law who, while not a builder, grew up helping his
contractor father build houses, and himself is a retired structural
engineer.

I would be tempted to go to a local plumbing supply shop and buy a
"dedicated" grab bar. It will be the proper size, etc and will come
with the proper hardware. Last time I did this, it was about $20.

Second, some communities offer "grab bar installation programs"
through something like a local coomunity senior center. In my area
the program is free, all you do is call the senior center and schedule
it. They do ask, if you can afford it, for a donation to help fund
supplies.

Good luck. Pretty simple task -- except for finding the studs.

If the tile does not go all the way to the top of the wall, as you
indicate, I would drill "search holes" in the wall above the tile to
aid in finding the actual stud. That is, if you think you have the
stud located, drill above to check.

i use tiny super magnets to locate the drywall screws. 2 or 3 of them
make a plumb line to find the stud lower down in the tile field.

no holes to patch.

There have been many times I think I found the stud and have been off
by a bit.

Then, once you KNOW where the stud is, you can easily track it under
the tile. Holes in the wall above the tile are easily patched and
spot-painted.

Holes in tile are not so easy to fix. Good luck.

Good points about magnets AND installing bar on a diagonal.

I was told that bars next to toilets go straight horizontal --
everyone is working from the same height, more or less.

On showers, horitzontal or diagonal, but a diagonal is preferred. on
the long wall of the tub if more than one person will be using. A
vertical bar on the short wall (usually the wall with the shower head)
helps with actual in-out of the tub.

I don't remember what heights we used, but I do remember I found
sketches on various web sites. Do a search on Google images....

"chaniarts" wrote in message
...
i use tiny super magnets to locate the drywall screws. 2 or 3 of them make
a plumb line to find the stud lower down in the tile field.

no holes to patch.



When dealing with drywall a heavy duty T-pin, sold in fabric shops, makes a
very small hole.

Colbyt

On Oct 27, 12:53*pm, chaniarts wrote:
On 10/27/2011 9:41 AM, tim birr wrote:

If the tile does not go all the way to the top of the wall, as you
indicate, I would drill "search holes" in the wall above the tile to
aid in finding the actual stud. That is, if you think you have the
stud located, drill above to check.

i use tiny super magnets to locate the drywall screws. 2 or 3 of them
make a plumb line to find the stud lower down in the tile field.

no holes to patch.

Yep, those little magnets are great. I use the ~3/8" diameter ones
with the countersunk hole in them. Alarm companies use them to
complete the circuit opposite door and window sensors. The
countersunk hole lets you mark directly over the center of the screw,
and the hole makes the magnet pretty much self-centering.

R

"Dave" wrote in message
netamerica...
My mother-in-law is having shoulder-replacement surgery following a
particularly bad fall, and I need to install a grab bar for her in the
shower. Her house was built in the '70s I believe, and the shower is
covered with ceramic tile up to about five feet. She has a stainless
steel bar that looks like it will work well, but I am not certain as to
how to install it for a trouble-free and usefull life. It is set up for
1/4" screws, and I am wondering if anyone can tell me the best way to
anchor it ito ceramic tile. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

Dave



Wow. Thanks for all the feedback. I have some tiny super magnets, and a
stud-finder, and a brother in law who used to work construction. And I had
no idea an offiial grab bar could likely be had so cheaply from someone so
simple as a plumbing supply. All the help is greatly appreciated. Thanks
much.

Dave

PS: I am likely going to give her two bars, one or use while she is standing
under the shower, and the other for getting out of the tub/shower. Your
advice on making use of a diagonal and maybe a straight up and down is
taken to heart. I really appreciate having this NG available to ask
questions like this and being able to get the advice of people who know
what they are talking about. Thanks again.

On Oct 27, 1:46*pm, "Dave" wrote:
"Dave" wrote in message

netamerica...

My mother-in-law is having shoulder-replacement surgery following a
particularly bad fall, and I need to install a grab bar for her in the
shower. *Her house was built in the '70s I believe, and the shower is
covered with ceramic tile up to about five feet. *She has a stainless
steel bar that looks like it will work well, but I am not certain as to
how to install it for a trouble-free and usefull life. *It is set up for
1/4" screws, and I am wondering if anyone can tell me the best way to
anchor it ito ceramic tile. *Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

Dave

Wow. *Thanks for all the feedback. *I have some tiny super magnets, and a
stud-finder, and a brother in law who used to work construction. *And I had
no idea an offiial grab bar could likely be had so cheaply from someone so
simple as a plumbing supply. *All the help is greatly appreciated. *Thanks
much.

Dave

PS: I am likely going to give her two bars, one or use while she is standing
under the shower, and the other for getting out of the tub/shower. *Your
advice on making use of a diagonal *and maybe a straight up and down is
taken to heart. *I really appreciate having this NG available to ask
questions like this and being able to get *the advice of people who know
what they are talking about. *Thanks again.

In addition to the other comments, the diamond tip little hole saws
kick butt over a typical carbide tipped drill bit. I had to drill
some holes in some ceramic floor tile to screw down a closet flange
(there's a reason that the flange didn't go in first, too long to
explain and not relevant) and the carbide bit failed miserably (as in,
after 30 seconds of drilling, I thought I saw a mark on the tile)
while the diamond hole saw when through it like buttah.

nate

On Oct 27, 9:17*am, "Dave" wrote:
My mother-in-law is having shoulder-replacement surgery following a
particularly bad fall, and I need to install a grab bar for her in the
shower. *Her house was built in the '70s I believe, and the shower is
covered with ceramic tile up to about five feet. *She has a stainless steel
bar that looks like it will work well, but I am not certain as to how to
install it for a trouble-free and usefull life. *It is set up for 1/4"
screws, and I am wondering if anyone can tell me the best way to anchor it
ito ceramic tile. *Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

Dave

Others have pretty well covered the 'tub bar' stuff. I 'handicapped'
equipped my house for my wife 3 years ago. some suggestions.

1. On getting in/out (out particularly) a grab bar outside the tub/
shower is a nice aide.

2. A bar mounted just in arms reach in front of the toilet is a
monster help getting off that. I am physically in top shape for my
age and If I had known how nice that assist bar is, I would have put
one up 40 years ago. Even if it wasn't needed for a handicap, I would
install one if I ever move.

3. A grab handle above the toilet and/or shower is also nice. Mine
is mounted with a screw hook into the ceiling, length of chain run
through a 'short bend' plastic conduit for the handle and back to the
screw. Easy to adjust the length. Mounted so it is above and ahead
of the toilet. Saved me a lot of trips in to get her off the pot when
she first came home from rehab. Still their and reaches into the
shower for further assist getting her out of that.

4. If you have a low toilet either replace it (Toto is nice but
spendy) with a higher or even a handicapped one. One _can_ use a
'lift' seat (sorta a ring of plast several inches high) for the toilet
but the first time you have to clean one you'll be looking for a
higher pot. My Toto entered the house becaus of that
Harry K

On Oct 27, 12:17*pm, "Dave" wrote:
My mother-in-law is having shoulder-replacement surgery following a
particularly bad fall, and I need to install a grab bar for her in the
shower. *Her house was built in the '70s I believe, and the shower is
covered with ceramic tile up to about five feet. *She has a stainless steel
bar that looks like it will work well, but I am not certain as to how to
install it for a trouble-free and usefull life. *It is set up for 1/4"
screws, and I am wondering if anyone can tell me the best way to anchor it
ito ceramic tile. *Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

Dave

Installtion is fairly easy except for finding the studs. Last time I
did it I accessed the plumbing from the back of the wall and found
where the spigot protruded throught the wall relative to the adjacent
studs and measured off of that. Once you can accurately locate one
stud the rest be at multiples of 16 inches from there unless they are
24 or unless they are really messed up. Exploring a wall not covered
with ceramic tile with a stud finder will hopefully reveal what
convention was used for placement of the studs.. Very important: the
hole drilled through the tile should be large enough to clear the
screw. The hole you drill in the wood should be small enough to grip
the screws.

Jimmie