Installing Grab Bar Without Studs

One thing I’ve learned over the past few months of having a toddling tot around is that a perfectly fine shower/bathtub for an adult is not necessarily perfectly fine for an 11 month old just starting to walk.

And then I entered my third trimester with baby #2 and realized maybe my shower isn’t perfectly fine for an adult either!

I’ve recently developed a Sunday morning routine that includes a bubble bath, hot coffee, and sometimes some music. It’s part necessity since a bath is the only way I can manage to shave my legs nowadays! The only problem is at the end, when it’s time to face reality again, the struggle to safely stand up is REAL.

Enter my new BFF.

Since January is National Bath Safety Month, it’s important that EVERYONE has a safe bath. Anyone can slip at any time, not just the elderly or disabled, or very pregnant ladies for that matter! And I love that by adding just one or two affordable things in your bathroom you gain so much more in peace of mind.

I recently installed this same grab bar with shelf from Moen at my parents’ house during a Facebook Live video which you can watch below.

*This post is sponsored by Moen, though all favorable opinions are 100% my own.

The install is super simple and straight forward. I timed myself and, without rushing, it took me 15 minutes from laying out the template to popping the flange covers on.

Speaking of the template…this grab bar from Moen comes with this paper template. I simply taped it on the wall, used my 2′ level to check that the line on the template was level and used a permanent marker to mark the center hole on each side.

Next I used a hole saw bit attached to my drill to drill 1-1/4″ holes at those marks. My shower surround is fiberglass, but I used the same attachment to drill holes in the marble surround in the video above. (It’s a carbide-tipped hole saw that would work for tile tub/showers too!)

*Note this is an installation without studs. Follow instructions included with your product for installation in studs.

The next part goes freaky fast. You slip the plastic guide into the hole.

Then insert and tighten the SecureMount Anchors with the included pull tab. (Check out my how-to webisode for more details on this interesting innovation.)

Finally you secure the SecureMount flange to the Anchor inside the wall with the included screws. Slide the grab bar into the flanges, tighten the small set screws, pop the covers on and you’re in business!

And then your daughter’s cute little toys and baby shampoo take over the shelf, but it can still support up to 250 lbs.!

Which is more than enough for me to support myself when sitting down and standing up in the tub. A big improvement over the inch or so of the tub edge I had on that side before.

There’s still time left to enter my giveaway for a chance to win one of these grab bars for your house! So click over to my giveaway post and use the widget to enter!

How many times could you have used one of these pretty and functional grab bars? I use it all the time now that I have it!

Thanks for Checking In! ~Chelsea