Trust Mr. Handyman for Grab Bar Installation in Mooresville

A grab bar is essentially a handrail that’s installed in a location where a person could benefit from some extra support. Often, this means they’re found in areas where a person is walking some distance (such as a hallway) or could use some extra leverage to get up and down (like a toilet).

Grab bars come in many types for a variety of uses, and the right kind for your home depends on what your loved one needs them for. The main options are:

• Wall-mounted bars – The most common type, which are attached directly to a wall
• Bathtub-mounted bars – Added directly to the edge of a bathtub to help with getting in and out
• Folding bars – Movable bars that can be pulled in or out to help when needed without getting in the way
• Handrails – A dual-purpose type of bar that both serves as an assistant and can perform other tasks, such as holding towels

How Grab Bars Help

Many families wonder if it’s worth modifying walls to hang grab bars. As long as you have something to hold onto, what difference does it make whether it’s a bar or something else, like a countertop—right? However, studies show that installation of handicap grab bars makes a big difference. Of course, one of the main differences is in safety; when people had a grab bar, 75% of them were able to stop themselves from falling compared to those who didn’t.

That’s not the only advantage, though! Many families don’t realize that grab bars can also keep their loved ones healthy. If your aging family member is able to safely bathe as often as they want to, they’re less likely to develop conditions such as dermatitis and fungal infections, which can threaten their health.

The Best Places for a Grab Bar

Grab bars are a wonderful addition that Mr. Handyman installs regularly. But where should you put them? The answer to this question depends on the layout of the home and what sorts of mobility challenges your loved one is facing. Regardless of location, we typically install them 33 to 36 inches above the floor, as this is what the ADA recommends for the greatest safety and ease of use. The places that benefit from grab bars include:

• In the shower or tub
• Next to the toilet
• In hallways between rooms
• Alongside stairways, ramps, or step-ups

The sky is the limit for where a helpful grab bar can be placed. We’ve even installed them right next to a person’s favorite chair!

Does it matter what angle grab bars are installed at?

Yes, grab bars work best when installed at an angle appropriate for the task at hand. While horizontal bars are the most common because they allow a person to bear their weight down onto the bar, this is far from the only option. Vertical bars can help with balance while standing and are easier to use. Similarly, diagonal bars are specifically useful during transitions, such as sitting down on the toilet.

Are certain grab bar materials better than others?

Grab bars come in many types. Brass bars can elevate the aesthetic of a room, but they can tarnish over time. Plastic bars may be cheaper, but they usually can’t hold the same amount of weight as other options. In general, many people prefer stainless steel bars because they are affordable, sturdy, and resistant to rust.

Will grab bars come off the wall?

The safety of grab bars comes down to two factors: their weight rating and the skill of the installers. Any team trusted to add grab bars to a home should be knowledgeable about the right way to do so; finding Age Safe^®-certified contractors is a good start. Bars should be added to wall studs for the greatest stability and weight capacity. However, each bar will also have its own manufacturer-recommended weight limit, and exceeding it may cause the grab bars to fail and separate from the wall.

Can my wall support grab bars?

In general, what a wall is made of does not impact how effective and safe a grab bar can be. The installation method will be different depending on the material (such as using masonry anchors for brick versus affixing bars to studs behind wallpaper). Never be afraid to ask the installation team how they plan to secure the bars so that the pressure while in use does not transfer to your walls and damage them.