Grab Bars in a Shower Stall

Charles Bishop · 2016-11-24T14:09:09+00:00

I've been asked to help install grab bars in an (E) tiled shower stall. What is the best way to do this? Ordinarily I'd drill a hole through the tile and whatever is behind it -mortar, greenwall, or backer board and install the grab bar with toggle bolts. I got to wondering though that if I drill a hole large enough for a toggle bolt to go through, I might be weakening the wall enough that holding onto the grab bar might pull some tiles loose, leading to additional work. Additionally, the house is an older one, having been built in late 50's or 60's so it's likely there is a mortar bed - it looks to be the original tile. If the mortar crumbles around the hole, the toggle bolt will be pulling on the tile, maybe.

Nov 24, 2016 84 Replies

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Sam E 9 years ago

When she forgets to reapply the suction cups before getting up.

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Arnie Goetchius 9 years ago

The problem here is that the other side of the faucet wall is also covered with tile so I would have to rip all of that out so that approach is really not feasible.

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