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How to install bathroom grab rails

A flange being bolted into place to secure a bathroom handle

Overview

Grab rails can help make your bathroom safer and more accessible. They can be mounted diagonally for support near a toilet. You can also mount them vertically or horizontally for a shower. We’ll show you how to mount a grab rail on a tiled wall. You’ll also see a great tip for protecting the surface of tiles when you drill into them.

Steps

1Mark up the screw holes for the grab rail

To properly support someone, your grab rail needs to be screwed into wall studs. Locate the wall studs and place the grab rail over the studs at the desired height. Use the grab rail as a template and mark up your holes with a pencil. If you are mounting onto tiles, keep the holes away from the edges of the tiles. To save time, you can use the horizontal grout line as your level guide. 
A pencil being used to mark screwing points for the flange of a bathroom wall handle

2Drill the screw holes for the grab rail

Place a piece of masking tape over the hole marks. The tape protects the tile and also helps to keep the drill bit on top of the mark when you are drilling. Drill the holes using a masonry bit.  Remove the masking tape and tap nylon wall plugs into the holes with a hammer.
A drill being used to make holes in a bathroom tile marked out by painter's tape
Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.