Installing Grab Bars on Tile Wall into Wood Studs:

This grab bar installation guide will walk you through how to install grab bars on tile walls directly into wood studs behind the wall. Installing grab bars on tiled walls (ceramic, marble, granite, and porcelain) can be very difficult due to drilling through the tough surface material. Follow this guide carefully and be sure that you have the proper tools (such as our diamond tip drill bits for proper drilling).

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⚠️If you aren’t confident in your installation skills, we recommend you hire a grab bar installer. Request professional grab bar installation. ⚠️

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Recommended Tools:

1. Power Drill
2. 1/4″ Diamond Tip Drill Bit
3. Stud Finder
4. Screwdriver
5. Silicone Sealant
6. Level
7. Painters Tape

Parts Supplied:

1. Our grab bars come with a pack of six (6) #10 x 2 inch wood screws. (If the grab bar has 3 mounting locations, then there will be nine (9) screws supplied).

Safety Cautions:

1. Grab bars are only as strong as the strength and rigidity of the material to which they are mounted. They must be mounted through the wall and screwed directly to a wooden stud.
2. When drilling into the wall, exercise extreme care to avoid any electrical wiring or plumbing that may be located behind the wall. Older homes may not always fall in line with current housing codes and requirements. Make sure to verify where internal wiring is located in the wall so that no wires will interfere with the installation. Damaged electrical wiring can cause electric shock and fire.
3. Proper installation is extremely important. If in any doubt, stop and contact a qualified grab bar installation professional.

Before Installing the Grab Bar:

1. Remove the grab bar (with included screw pack) from the package. The screw pack will be inside the plastic bag with the grab bar.
2. Move grab bar flange covers away from the holes and tape them to the bar in a position away from the mounting ends.
3. With a stud finder, locate and pencil mark where the wood studs are located behind the wall. Watch this video on how to use a stud finder.
   • You can use painters tape instead of pencil marks to prevent wall marks.
4. Determine your preferred grab bar placement location in consideration of the wall stud location and the best ergonometric way to enter, use, and exit the shower, bathtub, or toilet – read our grab bar placement guides.
   • You can place the grab bar vertically, horizontally, or diagonally.
   • At least two (2) screws must be mounted directly into each wood stud from each grab bar wall mount. Keep this in mind as it will limit your placement options on the wall.
5. Based on where you have chosen to place the grab bar, with the loose grab bar in your hand, position the grab bar over the wood stud marks where you intend to install it.
6. With a pencil in one hand and the grab bar in the other hand, press the grab bar flanges against the wall on your desired mounting location and mark the centers of the mounting holes on the one end. These are the points where you will later drill holes through the tile with the diamond tip drill bit.
   • Be sure to use painters tape before applying the pencil marks. This layer of painters tape will prevent pencil marks and scratches during drilling into the wall surface.

Drilling Holes Into Tiled Wall with Diamond Drill Bit:

1. Use a power drill with a 1/4-inch diamond tip drill bit to drill pilot holes through the tile wall at the marked positions.
2. Intended Uses of Diamond Drill Bit:
   • Only use this drill bit on ceramic, marble, granite, porcelain, or fiberglass surfaces.
   • Only use this drill bit on surfaces 1/2″ thick or less.
   • Do not use this drill bit on concrete or metal – it will bend or snap.
3. Start drilling at a 45-degree angle and slowly adjust to 90 degrees as the bit starts to cut into the material.
4. Drilling Requirements:
   • Water lubrication is required.
   • Reduce drill speed. Drill slowly!
   • Reduce drill pressure against the surface. Apply low pressure!!

Installing Grab Bar Into Wood Wall Studs:

1. Use the power drill and 1/8-inch drill bit to drill pilot holes through the pre-drilled holes (from prior step) and into the wood wall studs.
2. Place the grab bar on the wall, aligning mounting holes with the holes in the wall.
3. Insert the wood screws provided into one end of the grab bar (one end at a time). Screw into wall and wall stud with a screwdriver. Hand tighten only enough to hold the grab bar in place and prevent the bar from sliding and scratching the wall. Also, this will allow you some wiggle room to move the grab bar when positioning and securing the other opposite end.
4. Apply a bead of silicone sealant on the back of the mounting flange before inserting and tightening the screws, as it helps prevent water damage behind the wall surface. This is critical when installing grab bars in a shower or bath environment where water can get behind the grab bar flange and create rust.
5. Repeat prior steps for the opposite end of the grab bar.
   • If mounting horizontally or vertically, use a level to make sure that the grab bar is at the correct degree, level, 90-degree, or 45-degree angle.
6. Once both ends are secured to the wall, fasten both ends tightly and carefully until both ends of the grab bar are snug against the wall.
7. Move the flange cover plates over the mounting holes and align the cover’s locking tabs to the slots on the flange, push in towards the wall, and twist approximately 15 degrees clockwise until locked in place.
8. If being installed in a shower/bath environment, use generous amounts of silicone sealant around  the exterior of the flange cover as it is secured to the wall. Leave a tiny bit of the perimeter at the bottom uncovered so that water can drain from behind the cover if it were to be penetrated.