Why grab bars need a professional install
A grab bar only works if it holds when someone falls against it. That depends on what it is fastened to. Bathroom walls are a mix of drywall, tile, fibreglass and acrylic, and studs are rarely exactly where you want a bar. A bar screwed into drywall alone, or a suction-cup bar, can pull out at the worst moment.
We locate studs or blocking first. Where there is no stud, we use anchors made and rated for that wall type, and we seal every hole in tile and tub surrounds so water stays out of the wall. Your bars end up exactly where the person needs them, not where the studs happen to be.
Where we install grab bars
- Shower and tub walls: a horizontal bar on the long wall for standing balance, and support while sitting down on a shower seat.
- Tub and shower entry: a vertical bar where you step over the tub edge or into the shower.
- Beside the toilet: a bar on the side wall, or a toilet safety frame where there is no wall close enough.
- Hallways and stairs: handrails and grab bars along the routes people walk at night.
Recent grab bar installations
Not sure where each bar should go? Our guide Where Should Grab Bars Go? walks through each spot and the usual heights.
How it works
- Free quote from photos. Text us a few photos of the bathroom and tell us how the person gets in and out of the tub or shower. We quote from that, so no visit is needed.
- Placement plan. If an occupational therapist has assessed the home, we follow their recommendations exactly. If not, we recommend placements and heights.
- Professional installation. Commercial-grade bars, secured into studs or rated anchors, sealed and tested. Most homes are done in one visit.
- Written safety report. You get a record of what was installed, useful for RAHA, tax credits and insurance claims.
Coming home from hospital? Our Hospital Discharge package gets priority scheduling and is coordinated with your OT and discharge planner. Call (778) 652-2327 as soon as you know the date.
Grab bars and the bigger picture
Grab bars are often the first step. If climbing over the tub wall is getting hard, see our walk-in shower conversions or a lower-cost tub cut-out. Eligible households may be able to claim grab bars and other modifications through BC RAHA.