Blocking Walls for Grab Bars | Maximizes Your Home's Accessibility

[@seriouslyreally5413]

yes. we built 2 beautiful new bathrooms with tiled and glass showers only 7 years ago during a whole house renovation but faced an unexpected and significant disability this year. The solution would be to tear out the shower surround, install the blocking and then re-tile the showers with the grab bars installed into the blocking. It was so expensive that we opted to remodel a totally different bathroom on the main floor into our handicap access bath instead. From scratch. For less than the cost of re-doing just two tiled showers. I should have known better. I chose this house for its easy adaptability so I could age in place but forgot while the walls were being renovated to include the safety features. We installed duel overhead and handheld showerheads, low threshold entries and spacious enough for a shower bench and a shower aid. just forgot the grab bars.... dang!

[@audreybowles6357]

This is right on point! Great information in the installation of blocking for grab bars while my walls are open in the bath/kitchen. Thank you Lindsay

[@EquipMeOT]

You’re welcome!!

[@notnotnever]

This is so smart! I will definitely be keeping this in mind. Thank you

[@ShannonLRM63]

Thanks for this tip! We are having a new home built and this information was just what we needed. 😃

[@EquipMeOT]

Yay! This tip is a total game changer for prepping for the future 🙌🏻

[@dads3boys]

Thanks for producing this video Lindsay. Some very good tips. Although I'm just a DIYer, I've had the opportunity to install grab bars in my home and other's homes. So I guess I would qualify as a "semi-experienced" installer. One thing I've found is that it's pretty uncommon to locate studs in which you can cast both ends of the grab bars to. Also even when you are casting one side to a stud, given that the width of a 2x4 is actually 1.5" not all three screws on each flange are going into the stud. So, I definitely agree with your blocking technique if you're fortrunate enough to have access to the studs. But when you can't block, you need to be prepared to drill into a hallow wall. I've used a couple types of anchors. But, the best types I've found are called "strap" toggles. Have you used these? One of the best things about these is you don't have have drill as large a hole as comparable toggles. Also, their weight bearing capacity will more than support the capacity of the grab bar. Thanks again for your great videos.

[@EquipMeOT]

Yes! I like the strap toggles too! The smaller the hole the better. Installing into 2 studs is such a luxury, so I’m grateful for many hollow wall options (especially since the hollow space varies so much!).

[@drmorgannolte]

Great video thank you!

[@EquipMeOT]

You’re welcome!

[@rogercarroll1663]

Thank you. Very helpful.

[@EquipMeOT]

You’re welcome!

[@spencer.jacobs]

Fine for grab bars. I’d note this isn’t leaving any room for piping and valves, etc. (since you mentioned that was the controls wall).

[@olgringo-421]

Reminder: In case you don't have any wide 2 bys (2x6s, 2x8s , etc) laying around like I did (didn't) and don't want to buy any, just glue lengths of scrap 2x4s on edge together. Clamp them tight while the glue sets and even if a screw happens to hit right on a seam it will still hold firmly.