Install a Grab Bar in the Bathroom

Install a Grab Bar for Safety

Bathroom Grab Bar

(Photo from David Illig)

Damp bathroom surfaces are a major concern when it comes to serious falls. Slips and falls on bathroom floors are a major cause of injuries to people of all ages. Properly mounted grab bars (installed directly into studs or wooden backing can definitely help. There's no denying that putting a grab bar to tub or shower walls can lessen the amount of accidents that occur getting into or out from the shower's slippery wet surface. It's an easy task to do when the bathroom has been redesigned and the walls are haven't been primed yet allowing you to install a wall cleat or blocking to offer a strong basis for the bar between the two wall studs where the bar will soon be installed. The problem is installing a grab bar add-on to walls when the walls have already been finished.

If you're maybe not pulling out the wall and exposing the wall studs, the next best alternative is to utilize anchors made for just this reason.

DIY Options for installing a Bathroom Grab Bar

SolidMount is an anchoring system designed to install a grab bar to an existing shower and tub with fiberglass walls. Inexpensive way to add a grab bar.
WingIts is a blind fastening system, is designed to be installed on sturdy walls made of tile over plaster and lath or tiled walls with at least 1/2-inch thick cement board or drywall wall behind them. These are inexpensive.

These solutions only require basic carpentry skills and common tools.

Bathtub and Toilet Grab Bar