How to Install Shower Grab Bars for an Accessible Bathroom

Once you’ve gathered all your tools and supplies, you’ll need to clean your bathroom to allow for caulk to stick. Caulk needs a dirt-, dust-, and oil-free surface to adhere to for maximum performance. Dish soap and warm water should cut through those layers of dirt and grime. Give your shower a few hours to completely dry before starting your project.

You’ll want to make sure that your shower has the necessary space to install grab bars. 

Where Should Grab Bars Be Placed in a Shower? 

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the width of the gripping distance should be 1 ¼ to 1 ½ inches wide, and the space between the wall and the grab bar should be 1 1/2 inches. You should also ensure that any walls next to your grab bar are free of sharp or abrasive edges. The edges’ minimum radius should be 1/8 of an inch.

The size of the grab bars and the placement depend on the wall of the shower: 

• Entry Wall: Place a 18- or 24-inch grab bar vertically and about 4–6 inches inward from the door jamb or shower entrance. Aim for about 39–41 inches from the floor.

• Side Wall: Place a 24- or 36-inch grab bar horizontally and at waist height. Aim for 33–36 inches from the floor. You can install a 48-inch grab bar diagonally at a 45-degree angle for those showering in a seated position. 

• Front Wall (Plumbing Wall): Place a 24- or 36-inch grab bar vertically so it sits at waist height and about 39–41 inches from the floor. Alternatively, install the bar vertically where you can reach it while sitting or standing.

After double-checking that your spacing meets the ADA’s requirements, you need to decide where to place it. The general rule of thumb is to install your grab bar around waist level. You’ll need to get in your shower and see where that is for you and your family.

Once you have a general sense of where you want to install your grab bar, you need to find the studs in that area. Use a stud finder and mark off your stud's left and right edges with painter’s tape and repeat this process for both ends of your grab bar. Then use a pencil to mark its center lightly. It’s important that you know where your stud is and its distance so you can avoid drilling into any electrical wires or plumbing lines.

If you have tile walls or walls thicker than drywall, it’s harder for a dielectric constant (DC) stud finder to pick up your stud’s location. One option is to use a deep scan stud finder, slowly move it horizontally, and mark everywhere with a positive reading. In an area that has multiple marks, that’s likely where your stud is located.

Another option is to go into the room that shares a wall with your shower and find the studs there. Then measure the distance of where those studs are and take those measurements to see where your shower studs should be.

Once you’ve found your studs, place your grab bar where you want it to go, then use a pencil to mark your screw placement. Use a leveler to make sure your bar is, well, level.

Now, use your drill to make pilot holes. If you're installing your grab bar on drywall, use a drill bit slightly smaller than your mounting screw. If drilling through tile, use a glass-and-tile bit roughly half the size of your mounting bit and drill until you’ve reached the end of your tile. Then drill one-eighth of an inch hole into the stud using a wood bit. Check your manufacturer’s guide for specific instructions; they’ll tell you the exact size and type of bits you need.

If you can’t find the studs on your tiled wall, you’ll need to use appropriate-sized wall anchors to secure your grab bars, following the instructions provided.

Now you’ll need to position your grab bar back on the wall, over your pre-drilled holes, then fasten the screws that came with it into the wall.

After your grab bar is in place, put your caulk inside your caulk gun and apply it around the seams to prevent water from getting into your walls through your drilled holes. Then slide the metal cover plates back onto their respective ends once you’re finished caulking.

Pull on your grab bar once the caulk has dried to ensure it’s secure and safe.