How To Install Shower Grab Bars Without Using Studs

If you're renovating a bathroom for a mobility-impaired loved one, there are many things to consider when making this part of your home more accessible. Between planning a curbless shower entry that's wheelchair-friendly to picking the perfect shower seat or bath bench, it can be easy for grab bars to slip your mind. But slippery bathroom floors are one of the leading causes of falling injuries in the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 234,000 injuries occur in bathrooms each year, and people of all ages are at risk. Those 65 years of age or older are particularly susceptible, with statistics indicating one in four fall each year. The CDC recommends installing grab bars near tubs and showers, providing a handheld stability aid that helps users maintain their balance on wet surfaces. Although installing fastening grab bars to wall studs is ideal, it may be impossible if there are no studs or if their spacing does not align with the grab bar dimensions. Fortunately, you can install shower grab bars anywhere by using toggle bolt anchors.

Instead of relying on studs being exactly where you need them, use toggle bar anchors like the Moen Chrome Home Care Securemount Anchors behind each grab bar you plan to install. They work by spreading the load across a wider area of drywall, thanks to a spring-loaded mechanism that expands once inserted behind the wall. Don't let the number of parts fool you. Although it requires precision, installing a toggle bar anchor is a simple process, and upgrading your bathroom using toggle bar anchor mounted grab bars is one of the easiest ways to increase the accessibility of your home.

First, decide where you want to place the grab bars. Trace around the mounting plate to mark each end. Next, mark the center hole opening and use an awl to make a small depression where you'll place your drill. Use a 1¼-inch hole saw to drill a large enough hole through the drywall to insert each guide sleeve. Opt for carbide or diamond tips if you need to drill through tile without cracking it. When you insert the guide sleeve into the hole you've drilled, make sure to orient it in the "UP" direction. Then connect the anchor to the pull tab before inserting it into the guide sleeve. Pulling the tab up and away will open up the spring-loaded anchors behind the drywall. Finally, use screws to attach the mounting plates before installing your grab bar over them according to the manufacturer's instructions. 

Grab bars are available in a wide range of lengths, styles, and finishes, including bestselling options like the Moen Stainless Steel Wall Mounted Bathroom Grab Bar. However, it's best to pick out grab bars, and install them, according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines. Inside your shower, opt for lengths of 36 inches or longer. Install them horizontally 33 to 36 inches above the shower floor. Outside the shower, if you or a loved one can only reach for unstable elements like a towel bar in the event of a fall, consider installing shorter grab bars vertically just outside your tub area.