When a homeowner needed the help of the Ask This Old House team for help with her plans for aging in place, carpenter Nathan Gilbert and heating and plumbing expert Richard Trethewey answered the call. After finding the home mostly suitable and ready for the homeowner’s next stages in life, they learned that the bathroom needed attention. Here’s how they made it safer for aging in place.
How to Install Shower Grab Bars
- Start by finding the appropriate height and position for your grab bars. Vertical grab bars are best for transitioning in an out of the tub, while horizontal grab bars are better for steadying yourself in the shower. Also, the Americans with Disabilities Act recommends a height for grab bars of 33 to 36 inches off the floor or the base of the tub. Find what feels comfortable for you and your height.
- Once the height and positioning are decided, Mark the locations of the grab bars on the wall. For slippery surfaces that don’t mark easily, use painter’s tape on the wall. Place the grab bar in position and trace around the base plates to mark the wall. Then, place the mounting bracket within the traced outline, marking the center with a pencil.
- Position the hole saw jig over the mark and on the wall and adhere it with the double-sided tape. Using the 1 ¼-inch hole saw, drill through the wall at this location. Clear any debris from the hole. Repeat on the other side of the grab bar.
- Place the base of the anchor into the hole. Following the direction on the anchor, place it through the hole and pull it to secure the anchor to the wall. You should hear the anchor click as it sandwiches against the wall. Repeat on the other side.
- Attach the mounting bracket to the wall with the machine screw and screwdriver, ensuring that it is snug and secure.
- Attach the grab bars to the mounting brackets by placing the base plates over the mounting brackets and securing them with the included screws and screwdriver.
- Snap the cover plates into place by aligning them and tapping them with the soft mallet.
Why It Matters: During a This Old House project, plumber Tom Silva discovered a homeowner had been grabbing the shower doorknob to stand up from the tub. As Tom warned her: “You could turn the doorknob, the door could open, you could go flat on your face. That’s dangerous.” After holding a grab bar against the wall so the homeowner could test it, she immediately felt the difference — a simple upgrade that can prevent a serious fall.
Pro Tip: Nathan Gilbert, This Old House general contractor, advises customizing grab bar placement to your specific needs rather than strictly following guidelines: “If they told me to put it up 4 feet, if it doesn’t work for you, then it’s no good. We need to make it customized to your needs.” He recommends stepping into the shower and testing different positions before committing to a final placement.
About the Anchoring System: If your grab bar doesn’t land on a stud, the specialized anchoring system works by creating a sandwich on either side of the wall. As This Old House general contractor Nathan Gilbert explains, once the anchor piece is inserted through the drilled hole, it flips up and ratchets as you pull it back, clamping firmly against the backside of the wall. This provides a far more secure hold than a traditional toggle bolt, which is softer and more prone to rusting over time.
Steps for Installing a New Shower Head
- Start by removing the old shower head. In most cases, all this takes is an adjustable wrench to loosen the head from the shower arm or nipple.
- Remove the old plumber’s tape from the arm or nipple with the small wire brush. Ensure that the old rubber washer is not still on the pipe.
- Wrap the threads with three wraps of plumber’s tape.
- Attach the new shower head tightening the mounting nuts with the adjustable wrench.
Note: This often involves placing a small screen, strainer, or rubber washer into the inlet of the showerhead, but check the kit’s instructions. - Connect the hose and wand to the showerhead following the instructions.
- Test to ensure there aren’t any leaks.
Expert Insight: While swapping a shower head may sound simple, Richard Trethewey cautions in This Old House Magazine: “It sounds like a job you can knock off during commercials on a sports telecast, but there’s more to it than screwing the old one off and screwing the new one on. If you’re not careful, you’ll have more than a weekend project on your hands.”
Pro Tip: Richard Trethewey, This Old House plumbing expert, advises using two wrenches when removing the old shower head: “Over time, threads can fuse; if you force them, they’ll break inside the wall, ruining both your weekend and your budget. Avoid this by using two wrenches: one on the shower arm, the other on the head.” He also recommends wrapping duct tape around the wrench jaws so they won’t scar the chrome finish.
