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Bathrooms Plumbing Remodeling

Slide bar in shower/tub combo

5 years ago

I want to install a slide bar for the handheld shower in my kids’ tub/shower combo to help my special needs son to be more independent. I came across the Moen Magnetix when I was looking at slide bars and decided it was cheap enough to try it out (even though it’s not the greatest look). Our old house had a slide bar but it was hard for him to get the handle in the bracket and he often left it dangling or called for help. Even though it’s much easier to replace, the magnetix is too high for him to reach because it attaches to the shower arm. So I have 3 related questions!

1. Is it possible to install a slide bar in this type of shower at all (it’s a Sterling system and I doubt it has “aging in place” backer boards, but I could be wrong)? Just based on pictures it seems like it would have to be installed so that one end is in the drywall and the other end is in the shower wall, and the profile of the shower wall could be a problem in getting the bar straight. Can the bar be attached to the shower or does it have to go through it into the wall?

2. Is there a way to modify a slide bar to use the necessary Moen clip, keeping in mind that the Moen water line feeds from the magnetic clip and is normally connected directly to the shower arm. I read Delta’s slide bar clip can be modified to work with a different brand of handheld but I would still have to find a way to connect the Moen clip. I’m not opposed to a different handheld but it has to be easy to insert for someone with poor dexterity.

3. Is it crazy to attach a handheld to a jointed shower arm like this? He’s not wheelchair bound so it doesn’t have to be super low, but he’s very small for his age and he can’t stand on his toes. I’m pretty sure he could reach a 15” shower arm.

Thank you!

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Comments (2)

pattyl11
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago

If you can use Delta with your set up, Delta has a 24" sliding shower/grab bar combo. You can make your own combo by using their components, the 36" or 42" grab bar, a shower hose, the ADA Grab Bar Hand shower mount and the wall elbow for the hand shower and a hand shower.

Delta also has a ADA Compliant hand shower head called Palm 4 setting Hand Shower.

https://www.deltafaucet.com/parts-product-detail?modelNumber=59488-PK

https://www.deltafaucet.com/search-results?searchTerm=grab+bars

https://www.deltafaucet.com/bathroom/product/U6500-RB Hand shower mount

https://www.deltafaucet.com/parts-product-detail?modelNumber=U495D-SS60-PK -Hose

https://www.deltafaucet.com/search-results?searchTerm=hand+shower+elbows
EvaElizabeth
Original Author
5 years ago
Initially I wanted to use something like this, the Kohler hydro rail system, use the original shower head, and add a hand shower. However, it is a little pricey considering there are relatively inexpensive slide bars that are reasonably attractive for a lot less, and it is for a kids’ bathroom that’s less than two years old. We just kept thinking he was so close to being able to reach, he’d grow into it, but he’s needing to be more independent faster than he’s growing taller.

I started looking at Moen since that’s what’s in the wall, but the Moen slide bars in the lower price range are pretty terrible in appearance. They look more like utilitarian combination grab bars. There are some better ones that are a little more expensive and have cover plates, (which I think I need if I have to use a spacer in the tub surround) but if I’m back up near the price range of the Hydrorail, I like that it’s more streamline.

I think I read that the Delta bracket on the actual slide bar is “universal,” which is why I wondered if it might be a good starting place to modify something to use the Moen Magnetix handheld. Delta does have some more attractive bars, though, so if I’m starting from scratch I’ll spend more time looking there. I’m still holding out hope on the Magnetix until I’m sure I can’t use it with any kind of slide bar.
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