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Aging adults sometimes need assistance to safely live on their own, and things like bars can help them feel more independent in their homes (while also providing their loved ones with peace of mind). When incorporating grab bars into a home, it’s essential that they’re installed correctly to ensure safe use.
Grab bars can be installed with just anchors if you cannot locate studs. However, you’ll receive the most support by mounting grab bars to studs. When studs are not an option, the best anchors to use for grab bars are hollow drywall anchors, or toggler wall anchors.
This article details the installation of grab bars and how to install them when you cannot find the studs. We’ll touch on how to ensure the safety of anchor-installed grab bars and what precautions to consider. Read on to learn more.
Grab Bar Installation Considerations
Grab bars serve many purposes, from helping a person maintain balance or preventing fatigue when standing for prolonged periods. This assistive device can also provide support while showering and help people sit down or rise from a seated position.
They’re not just for seniors, either. People with disabilities, those recovering from surgery or injuries, and individuals with limited mobility may benefit from the installation of grab bars in the home.
I recommend the Amazon Basics 18-Inch Grab Bar, available on Amazon. This stainless steel grab bar supports up to 500 pounds of weight and complies with ADA standards. Included is a full installation guide, along with all necessary mounting screws.
However, before installing this assistive device, there are several things to think about.
Grab Bar Location and Angles
Most people install grab bars in bathrooms near toilets or showers, likely because most household injuries occur in the bathroom. These grab bars help those with limited mobility lower themselves onto or lift themselves off of the toilet, or assist them when entering or exiting the shower or tub. As such, the placement and angle of grab bars matter depending on their intended use.
In most cases, grab bars are best positioned approximately 33 to 36 inches (83.8 cm to 91.4 cm) from the floor. Placement should be comfortable for the individual user, meaning ideal placement varies based on the user’s height, mobility, and preferences. For best results, have the intended user show how they prefer to use the bar so you can determine where they’d reach for assistance.
They may be installed at nearly any angle, including vertically, horizontally, and diagonally. Some brands require placement at a specific angle, so check the instructions on your grab bar model.
Grab Bar Installation Time
When installing grab bars, it’s imperative that you dedicate enough time to the job and ensure that you have the skills required to complete the task. The last thing you want is to drill holes in a loved one’s wall only to realize you have no idea what you’re doing. If you don’t know how to use a drill, you can consider adhesive grab bars, which can be safe enough in some situations. Are Adhesive Grab Bars Safe? What You Need to Know
The time it takes to complete grab bar installation with anchors depends on the following factors:
- The number of bars you’re installing
- The material you’re drilling through (i.e., drywall, granite, porcelain, etc.)
- Whether or not you experience issues during the installation process
It can take anywhere from ten minutes to well over an hour to complete the project. Therefore, it’s best to give yourself at least three hours from start to finish (with a back-up plan, such as hiring a professional, in case the job takes longer than expected). In most cases, it’ll take an hour or less.
How To Install a Grab Bar With Anchors (No Studs)
If you’re having trouble locating the studs inside of the wall, or if there are no studs available where you intend to mount the grab bar, you’ll need to secure the grab bar using wall anchors. The best anchors for this purpose (especially when drilling through hollow drywall) are toggle anchors.
After removing the grab bar from the packaging, read the instructions. The following instructions should be used as a general guide only.
1. Separate the Grab Bar From the Escutcheon
The escutcheon is the flat metal piece around the grab bar. Remove this panel from the grab bar along with the bag of screws, and set them both aside. Examine the grab bar for covers over the mounting holes. Move these covers away from the holes to allow for easier access during the installation process.
2. Position the Grab Bar
Place the grab bar over the wall where you intend to mount it, approximately 33 to 36 inches (83.8 cm to 91.4 cm) above the floor. Use a level to ensure even placement.
With a pencil, mark the position of the mounting holes. Before marking these areas, you can place a small piece of painter’s tape on the wall to avoid marking on the surface.
In most cases, you’ll need four anchors per grab bar. If there are more mounting holes, you’ll need additional anchors.
3. Drill the Holes and Insert the Hollow Wall Anchors
Before putting holes in the wall, ensure the drill bit is suitable for the material you’re drilling through. For drywall, a ½-inch drill bit is recommended, unless the instructions with your grab bar state otherwise.
The mounting hole should be small enough that the back end of the anchor fits, but with quite a bit of resistance. Before inserting the anchor, compress the toggle on the anchor as much as possible using pliers. Force the hollow wall anchor all the way into the mounting hole. Once it’s all the way in, pull on it to ensure the wings expand behind the wall, securing the anchor in place.
Repeat for each remaining mounting hole.
4. Mount the Grab Bar
Position the grab bar against the wall, aligning the mounting holes with the anchors. Insert the screw that came with the grab bar and screw it in to lock the toggle on the anchor in place. Avoid over-tightening, as you can easily crack or strip the anchors, rendering them useless.
Snap the flat metal piece (escutcheon) to the mounting plates, and tighten the bolts until everything is secure. Repeat these steps for the opposite end of the grab bar.
Note: When installing a grab bar in a shower or bathroom, add a water seal. Before replacing the mounting hole covers (that you moved aside in step one), apply a silicone sealant to prevent water from getting behind the wall).
Lock the cover plates over the mounting holes.
Grab Bar Safety Precautions
Since grab bars bear weight, there are many safety precautions to consider prior to installation. Keep the following in mind:
- Most grab bars support between 300 and 500 pounds (136 kg to 227 kg) when mounted to wall studs. Installing grab bars with anchors only may significantly reduce their weight-bearing capacity. Check with the manufacturer to ensure the grab bar can withstand the weight of the user.
- The more durable the material it’s mounted to, the stronger the grab bar (assuming it’s properly installed). Therefore, if you’re mounting a grab bar to hollow drywall, it won’t have as much strength as one mounted to a granite surface. Anchor strength also plays a role in grab bar weight loads.
- Proper installation of grab bars is critical to the safety of your loved one. If you’re unsure about what you’re doing and question the security of the grab bar, stop and contact a professional to finish the job.
Conclusion
Living independently brings a sense of peace and security to aging adults, and ensuring their safety brings peace to their children. Assistive devices, such as grab bars, can make life easier for both seniors and their loved ones.
Installing grab bars is relatively easy. If you know what you’re doing, you can have a safe, secure grab bar installed in as little as an hour, even if you’re using only wall anchors.
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