Install grab bars for safety in the bathroom

Installing grab bars in your bathroom, especially in the shower and/ or tub, can be pretty helpful. If you don’t have these already, you should install some. You never know when you might need them.

It’s really not very difficult to do. First locate the wall studs behind your shower walls. A stud finder is the best tool for this. You can mark the location with a pencil, or a crayon for tile walls. Also, keep in mind that some grab bars will have several screws to use when installing, and some may not fall on the studs, so you will need to use toggle bolts.

Proper placement is important, and you may wish to consult a physical therapist for some guidelines if you have specific needs. In most cases, you’ll want to mount a vertical bar about 32-38 inches above the floor or 6-10 inches above the top of the tub. Some bars may need to be installed at an angle. These are just general guidelines and may need to be altered for specific needs and situations in your bathroom.

Drill into grout joints if possible. If you need to drill through a ceramic or stone tile, use a masonry bit. Use the right size bit for the screw that’s included with the bar. If you need to use toggle bolts, the hole you drill will need to be much larger.

Once installed, test them with lots of weight. You don’t want one of these to fail when you need it!

Also, consider installing some in other places, like next to a toilet, near steps, along a hallway and other areas where they might come in handy.

Hang in there for more super ideas to come!

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It#146;s available at hobby and craft stores as well as hardware stores and home centers. To find out more, go to www.supergluecorp.com.Ÿ Write to Al and Kelly Carrell in care of the Daily Herald, P.O. Box 280, Arlington Heights, IL 60006 or visit the Carrells#146; website at thesuperhandyman.com.© 2012, Cowles Syndicate Inc.