In a region like Ormond Beach, FL, where we have retirees and multigenerational families residing, nothing is more important in the homes than safety. A critical safety feature for most homeowners is grab bars.
In fact, a question often lingering is: Are wall-mounted grab bars really strong enough for heavy use? The short answer is yes, but when properly installed.
How Strong are Grab Bars?
To some, grab bars are merely decorative pieces or towel racks. But to those who know them, grab bars are the distinguishing factor between a safe and not slippery area, like showers or bathtubs.
As per the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), any installed grab bar must be capable of holding at least 250 pounds of vertical and horizontal force without permanent deformation. If, for instance, someone is falling or pulling themselves up, the grab bars should be strong enough not to bend, loosen, or even break.
While 250 pounds of force is the set standard, it is only the minimum. In some cases, properly installed grab bars have the capability of holding in excess of 300 pounds, sometimes hitting 500 pounds.
How You Install It Matters
Some of the most common mistakes while installing grab bars include improper anchoring, choosing the wrong bar or location, and forgetting to test. Some anchor the grab bars directly to the outer walls or tiles, areas incapable of holding solid weights. Such is the beginning of failure.
Every grab bar has its own special requirements for how to properly install it. To attain true reliability and safety, grab bars must be installed directly to the studs with heavy-duty screws. If properly and directly attached to the studs, most grab bars will have strength enough to surpass ADA’s minimum weight requirements.
Therefore, while installing, try to locate the vertical wooden beams behind the walls, and screw the mounting plates directly into these studs. But, what if the studs do not align with the most ideal replacement? That’s when professional installers use blocking or reinforced plywood backing found behind the wall to distribute the load well.
Specialized heavy-duty anchors may be used in certain retrofit situations, but standard drywall anchors are never sufficient for safety applications.
But what if you cut corners? This could literally be an originally hazardous safety feature for your home. Screwing the grab bar into the wall could sound safe, but later cause serious falls.
Can They Be Used Heavily? Yes, If Done Right
The ADA standard of 250-pound weight for the grab bars is a baseline, not a limit. With proper construction and installation, you can get utmost reliability from the grab bars. Even for high-demand households like those with elderly, sickly residents, or even bariatric users, professionals can help do the installing of the grab bars. Call us today, and we will send over a team of professionals to help you choose a grab bar that’ll hold steady.
At Lifegrip Solutions, we provide durable and reliable safety solutions for every home. Explore our full range of grab bars, including specialized bathtub grab bars and secure shower grab bars. Ready to improve home safety? Request a quote today and let our professionals help you choose and install the perfect solution.
