Installing grabrail

Grabrails are designed to provide balance and support for elderly persons and people with disabilities when moving around in areas where falls are at a higher risk.

These areas commonly include the bathroom where floors and surface areas can be slippery when wet. In this article we explore the different features of grabrails to consider before installation, based on your personal needs and the area in which you intend to install them. Grabrails are used differently to handrails, which are more commonly used for guidance and stability in staircases to negotiate large changes in levels.

To help establish the strength of the rail and how much force can be applied, you should study how it is joined together as well as the thickness of the rail tubing. Grabrails come in a variety of materials including stainless steel , aluminium, brass, plastic and galvanised tubing.

Another consideration in wet areas is the materials' ability to conduct electricity. To avoid safety hazards the grabrail should be installed by a professional tradesperson. The finish of the grabrail will determine its area of use. Common finishes available include slip-resistant, satin, powder-coated, epoxy-coated, enamel-coated, polished and skin touch finish. For example, if the rail is being installed in a wet area, a slip-resistant finish will be the appropriate and safest choice of finish as the individual requires less strength to maintain a firm grip on the rail, even when wet.

For people with a visual impairment, you might want to consider a rail that contrasts against the colour of the wall surface. Finding the perfect size is everything when it comes to grabrails and safety precautions. If the diameter of the grabrail is too big, the individual will struggle to get a good grip. The most common lengths of a rail are millimetres, millimetres, millimetres and millimetres.

The mount: There are generally two options when it comes to installing grabrails, screw-fix, and suction cups. Screw-fix grabrails are more durable because they are installed in the wall using screws at both ends while suction cups are used as a portable option for the elderly to carry around. It is not a long-term option as they cannot take the full bodyweight of the user.

Using this information, decide whether or inch horizontally mounted shower grab rails will best match your shower's configuration. Remove the mounting flange from each end of the shower grab rail.

Position the flange for the left side of the grab rail against the wall at the desired height over the center of the wall stud. Mark the drill holes onto the wall with a pencil. Measure downward from the top of the shower enclosure to the top of the flange. Then, move to the stud location for the right side mounting of the grab rail. Measure downward from the top of the enclosure and position the flange the same distance down as you did with the flange on the left side.

Center the flange over the stud at this height, and mark the drill holes onto the enclosure with a pencil. Install the manufacturer's recommended drill bit for the mounting screws into a power drill. If drilling through tile, install a specially designed tile bit. Drill the holes for the mounting screws through the enclosure and the wall board behind the enclosure but not into the wooden stud.

Remove the drill bit from the power drill, and install a screw-tip bit into the chuck. Apply a consistent bead of tub and tile caulking along the flat side of the flange.