How to apply Adhesive Strips and a Grab Bar in your Tub or Shower
- Wash the standing surface to remove any soap, or body oils. mineral deposits. A second cleaning before applying the strips should be done with rubbing alcohol.
- Arrange strips of non-slip material around the drain like rays from the sun so water is directed toward the drain.
- In a bathtub, arrange the strips in a series of arrows pointing toward the drain.
- Apply each strip after removing the paper from the adhesive strip.
- Press the end firmly onto the surface and continue peeling the backing away as you attach the strip. Some time the strips may be a bit longer than you need. If you need to shorten a strip, cut it with scissors and round off the corners.
Second: Install proper grab bars that are anchored to the studs in the walls within your bathroom tub or shower
The grab bar should be a round metal tube with no sharp edges. It should be designed with flanges that can be attached to the wall stud with a toggle bolt and three inch screws.
Find the stud above the level of your tub or shower tile with an electric stud finder.
Find the vertical center of the stud by dropping a plumb line (get this at the same place you get the stud finder). Mark the width of the wall stud at the height you want the grab bar flange to attach to the wall.
Hold the bar flange against the wall and mark on the tape with a washable pen or pencil where each of the six holes will be.
Put on your safety goggles, tap a little punch with a hammer to break the surface of the tile glazing and then drill pilot holes into the stud for the screws and through the wall beside the stud on the other holes for the toggle bolts. Use a carbide tipped drill bit for the toggle bolts and use a bit that is slightly smaller than the screw diameter for drilling into the studs where the screws will go. Pull the tape off the wall and clean any residual adhesive off with rubbing alcohol.
Place a toggle bolt into the hole on the flange and fill up the inside cup of the flange with silicone caulk. Turn the bar around and prepare the other end the same way.
Carefully position the grab bar against the wall and push the toggle bolts through the wall into place. The toggle bolts will be in behind the wall and can be tightened with a screwdriver. Place the three inch screws into the holes that were drilled into the studs and tighten with a screwdriver.
Caulk neatly around each flange and let dry for at least one day.
WW Bath is convieantly located just minutes from the beltway in Kensington, Md. If you are considering renovating or remodeling an existing bathroom or thinking of adding an addition to your home with a handicap access bathroom, consider speaking to one of our professional bathroom remodeling experts or call to set up an appointment and visit our bathroom showroom. We have complete bathrooms available for viewing in the showroom and samples and displays of leading bathroom accessory suppliers such as Kohler, American Standard, Jacuzzi, Broan, Yorktowne, Porcher, Wood Pro, MAAX, Franz Viegner, Century, Delta, Jason and Grohe.
