Grab bars make it easier for disabled people to climb in and out of a bathtub.
Many things must be done to accommodate a disabled person in your home. One of them is to install safety bars, or grab bars, onto the tile walls in your bathtub. These bars provide someone who is disabled, elderly or otherwise injured with something to grab onto while climbing in and out of the tub. When installing these bars onto ceramic tile, you must take special precautions so you don't damage the tiles.
Instructions
1. Locate the studs on the walls where the bars are being installed with a stud finder, and mark the center of each stud on the wall.
2. Gently tap finishing nails through the drywall to locate the edges of the studs, and mark the edge of the studs when you locate them. Try to drive the nails into the wall in an inconspicuous place, such as the edge of the tiles.
3. Hold a 3-foot level over the tiles, lining it up with the marks that indicate the outer edge of the studs. Place a strip of 1 1/2-inch masking tape on the tiles next to the level (place the tape over the studs).
4. Place the safety bar against the tile, lining it up so that at least two of the screw holes go over the studs. Mark the location of the screw holes on the studs with a grease pencil.
5. Drill holes for the screws. Use a 1/8-inch glass-and-tile drill bit, and drill at a low speed. Along with the tape, this helps prevent the tiles from cracking.
6. Enlarge the holes by drilling into the tiles with a 1/4-inch masonry drill bit, then drill into the studs with a 5/32 wood drill bit.
7. Slide plastic anchors into the holes.
8. Run a thick bead of silicone caulk or tub-and-tile adhesive to the back of the flanges on the safety bar.
9. Place the bar on the wall, lining it up so that the screw holes are lined up with the wall anchors.
10. Screw the bar to the wall with stainless-steel pan head screws. Test the bar by pulling on it to ensure that it's properly attached to the wall.
11. Install the other bars, using the same method.
