loose cover plate on grab bar in tiled shower
ccav
2 months ago
I had a bathroom added in 2023. For various reasons, I did not start using this bathroom until Feb. 2024 after the project had ended and have discovered that one of the grab bar cover plates is loose. The builder is non-responsive on a fix. Any suggestions on what to use to secure the cover plate to the tiled shower wall? Is this an easy DIY project or is it best to hire someone? I do plan to call the manufacturer when I get an opportunity to get their input but I know many on Houzz often have practical experience to share. Thanks in advance!
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wdccruise
2 months agoThe screw heads are the wrong type and are preventing the cover from snapping on to the flange. Replace those screws with flat head screws.
ccav thanked wdccruiseRelated Discussions
Attractive, interesting, creative grab bar placement? (any pics?)
Comments (17)We have just installed a 2 man Jetta tub and wanted grab bars for it. Since we used oil rubbed bronze faucets, I had problems finding what I wanted. A local plumbing store was going to order them for me when I found them at Lowe's. I had asked repeatedly and was told they didn't have them in ORB. Well, this is called Venetian Bronze or something like that. It is close enough. It is a Moen product and is ADA approved with a 500 pound pull capacity. They only had the 16 inch one, but I was going to check into a longer one. Thanks for the link above it has them there! We just got this bathroom finished a couple of days ago. Now, granted this tub is not a handicap type one, but we wanted the bars for practical use now and need in the future. The small one is placed vertical on a stud at the edge of the tub. I already know that I want and need one lower. They gutted my other bath this week and the tub/shower is being replaced with a shower that will be handicap accessible--but we are adding glass doors that can be removed later if needed. This shower will have the grab bars and I think we are going to add one beside the toilet in there. Both new toilets are the ADA higher ones and I love the one that is new to master bath. The master bath is large enough to get a wheelchair around in, but the hall bath was very inaccessible. We found this out during the past few years as our parents health failed and we had them here for extended times. We decided to do this bath remodel Christmas when my Dad's health failed to the point that he could not remain at the assisted living. We were going to move him in with us and remodel the bath. However, we lost him in late January. We looked at the overall picture and realized that although we have now lost all four parents, we will have a need for this at some point. So, we went ahead with the plans--just took a little more time doing it. We also have taken out the small hall bath door and they are installing a much wider pocket door so that a wheelchair can go through it. Although I do have solid wood vanities in both baths, we decided to leave them. They will be able to be replaced with a pedestal or something more handicap assessible if needed. I am adding a link to pics of the new master bath. You can see the bar on the right side of the front of tub. Again, it is not a tub that you would think of in this way, but wanted to share the grab bar there. We will add another one. The shower will be much more practical and I will post pics when they finish it. http://s191.photobucket.com/albums/z203/printersdevil72/Master%20Bath%20Pics/...See MoreShower/Tub Grab Bars: Where? How Many?
Comments (7)As far as grab bars go my gut take on all of them is this; They look to industrial and remind me of public toilets - for the most part, cheap and hospital like. I sourced an excellent supplier here in Canada that can custom make them for me in any size. These custom grab bars are pricy but worth the money. I also received a package from GreatGrabz showcasing their complete product line and this company has some tasteful good looking grab bars - Are all these ADA approved - I'm not sure. Can they stable you if you slip or loose your balance? I bet yes. I install extra blocking for all my clients in the 50 - 70 year age range and we discuss this in concept stage. There is no need to install grab bars until you need them, but at the first sign of dizzy spells, new medication or an injury a grab bar can not only keep you in your home longer - it can save your life. Order your grab bars so that they, your glass door handle and towel bars all look the same - this adds to the upscale look and a cheap grab bar doesn't cheapen the whole ensuite. If your building a shower bench it's nice to pull up with a grab bar as you get older. I made the mistake of installing my last one on a 45 degree angle and this is not to code. I offered to change it (my cost) but my client loves it as is. I can't get my 83 year old Nana to allow me to install more grab bars in her shower (I fixed a botched install a number of years back when she hired a Medical Supply Store to upgrade her Burnaby home.) - she wants them when she is old she says.... :) If you can upload a picture of your bathroom layout it will be much easier to advise on best location. The ADA guidelines are very specific and have been time tested for sure. Extra grab bars or hand held location for getting in and out are key. If you have a shampoo niche a place to grab and hold on will reaching for shampoo is a good idea as well. If you want the best - remove the curb, build a wet room with level access shower entry, add in grab bars and built it right the first time. If you build your next bathroom to last into your golden years you will be so happy you spent the extra $5,000 grand or so to make it perfect. I have replaced showers with 4" curbs that clients could not step over - think about that a 4" curb in your shower is to high to get in. To shower with this bad hip involves being driven to the local pool to shower in a public wet room. Not me... I'm 41 and building my curbless shower as we speak. For younger and older couples alike who have the time and desire to shower together - Grab bars can only open up new options in bathing department - I'll leave this where it belongs - with your imagination! Here is a link that might be useful: Great Grabz...See MoreGrab bars
Comments (4)This would be either a DIY or handyperson kind of job. But grab bars are only as good as the backing behind the walls. If you don't have a solid stud in which to secure the grab bar you end up with a handful of bar, tile and plaster the first time you put any weight on it. If you're not certain, I'd get a good handyman you can trust to check it out. You might end up having to carefully remove some tile and replace it later....See MoreUrgent help needed with grab bar placements
Comments (20)Putting in the blocking is a great way to plan for the future. The bars are a good idea at any age, but I understand not wanting to put all of them in till needed. One at the entry would probably suffice if you are not elderly or handicapped. I was very impressed with that You Tube Video on the Secure Mount. I went home yesterday to find they had already sprayed the bathroom walls. I'm not sure if the contractor's stud finder will be able to locate through the marble. If not, we'll just go with the Secure Mount. I returned the 9 inch curved bars, and am ordering the 24 and 18 inch bars after I see the marble install tonight. I wanted 36 inches for the long wall, but DH wants them shorter. My contractor said the marble has two corner shelves and one recessed soap/shampoo holder. I imagine that is rather long, so I'm hoping they didn't place that where it will interfere with the longer bar placed at an angle....See Morejo mu
2 months agoccav
2 months agoThanks for the feedback. I'm attaching a larger photo of the shower. The cover plate on the right is the one that's loose. It was sitting in place so initially I could not tell it was loose...until I used the shower the first time. The builder did put backing in the shower; grab bars were in the design. This is a Delta grab bar; I'd have to check the model number. I appreciate the info about the screws; it is concerning that the wrong screws were used. I certainly don't want rust.
PROJAN MOYER
2 months agoMake them get you a new one.
Yours is # 41624 and no screw at all should be visible - he ruined the cover plate which snaps over the mounting plate. he drilled right through and very carelessly.
My bet? More than the cover is "Loose" and he's not even on a stud
ccav thanked JAN MOYERwdccruise
2 months agoccav
2 months ago
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