Attach grab handle over drywall?

[bw77]

I want to attach a 6" grab handle like the one shown to drywall.
To be used by an elderly person to assist in getting up a step.

What's the best way to do this?

- Long screws into stud?
- Attach to 2x4?
- Other?

Thanks.

 

[SJay3660]

Yes, you want it in a stud. If a stud is not in the location you want you can bridge between 2 studs with a piece of wood and then position the handle anywhere you want. You can also buy a grab bar at a big box store that is 16" long and attach it to 2 studs. Or 24" long and angle it between 2 studs.

If you are placing it vertically, you want it in a stud.

 

[nadogail]

Yes, you want it in a stud. If a stud is not in the location you want you can bridge between 2 studs with a piece of wood and then position the handle anywhere you want. You can also buy a grab bar at a big box store that is 16" long and attach it to 2 studs. Or 24" long and angle it between 2 studs.

If you are placing it vertically, you want it in a stud.

What he said, you don't want to be in any way connected to the person falling because they pulled the grab handle from the wall.

Sometimes I have opened a wall up and sistered a 2 X 6 to studs in order to mount a grab handle securely to a wall. IMHO, you can't make them too strong.

 

[rsanter]

If it does not go into a stud then it’s not a useful/reliable grab handle

 

[JRC3]

Sometimes I have opened a wall up and sistered a 2 X 6 to studs in order to mount a grab handle securely to a wall. IMHO, you can't make them too strong.

And sometimes you can plan for the future...Anytime I redo a shower I put studding in for a future grab bar and send a pic to the customer. I do this behind tile or surround. A few extra minutes of my time might save one person from a bad problem in the future.

Pic from last week. Normally I would go across the whole back and sidewall opposite the shower valve, but this one had too many vents including a 2" and a 3" in the sidewall.

 

[unslow1]

Moen the faucet company makes nice brushed finish ones. We picked up a few and mounted them to the studs around my Grandparents place a few years ago. They were about $20 each and looked nice.

 

[BD1]

If that's your photo, there should be a stud there.


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[loganb]

Grab bar screw/bolts/lags should always go i to solid wood and should always have multiple anchor points. If half the anchors pull out...would you be concerned with using it? If so it's not anchored well enough

And use a real grab bar designed for the job....they have a larger diameter thats easier to hold on, generally have a non slip surface and are load rated for the task at hand

Sent from my SM-N986U1 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[CraigStu]

I know it was just an illustration but...I wouldn't use that model w/ two screws top and bottom. It looks to be just wide enough that only one of each pair could get solidly into the stud.

 

[e36jon]

I just did some remodel work in my bathroom and decided to add some grab-handles while I was at it. I was pleasantly surprised to find that all sorts of visually appealing options now exist, often tied to other elements like towel bars or even faucets. So, form and finishes are really broad.

Anyway, all of the bars I bought came with interesting drywall anchors that have HUGE grab areas (See below). I was able to add blocking where I needed it since I had the walls open, but the bar manufacturers all felt these drywall anchors would be adequate. If you do a Google search for grab-bar drywall anchor you'll find a ton of info. Way more people need these bars than can manage to add blocking or always hit studs...

 

[BadgeZ28]

not directly on sheetrock. You will need a backing and front mount plate surface sandwiched to hold it IMO.

 

[e36jon]

Greetings BadgeZ28

I really do hear ya. only sheet rock seems improbable. They do ask to have one end stud mounted.

Here's a link to the directions from Delta (Others are similar): https://media.deltafaucet.com/MandI/102831%20Rev%20C.pdf

The text for the anchor install reads:

WALL ANCHOR MOUNTING DIRECTIONS
DO NOT install supplied wall anchors into wallboard less than
½” or greater than 2 ½” thick.
DO NOT install supplied wall anchors into wallboard that has
been subjected to water damage or decay.
DO NOT install supplied wall anchors into a wood stud.
NOTE: Opposing end will need to be mounted using the Stud
Mounting Directions in Section 1, steps 7-9. It is suggested to
locate and mark opposing stud end.​

 

[LS6 Tommy]

No way I'd use a handle. I'd do a real grab bar with proper mounting.

Tommy