Suction Shower Handrails

Why are Suction Handrails Useful in a Shower?

It is not always possible to drill a hole into your walls especially when you live in a rented apartment. Drilling a tiled wall also requires a lot of skill and the proper tools. If you ever make a mistake, the whole area would have to be replaced and redone. Shower handrails with suction jumps through this entire step by giving the user a portable and removal option that does not leave marks or cause any damage to the walls.

Installing Suction Handrails

Here are some steps to take before the installation of the suction handrails.

• Make sure the surface is smooth. Any bumps in the surface will allow air to enter suction and the handrail vacuum will not support your weight.
• If the suction cup is larger than the tiled surface area, the grouted areas can allow air to seep into the suction vacuum. This scenario must be avoided because the holding strength of the handrail will be compromised. Once air gets in, there is no guarantee the product will work. Please be safe!
• Clear the applied area of any debris. Any debris will also prevent a strong vacuum from the suction shower handrail to the wall.
• Wipe the area clean of liquid and let it dry.
• Do not apply on wallpaper or any painted walls that will tear off with a power suction. These do not provide the stability and strength you require.
• Make sure the walls are strong to keep the handrail vacuumed sealed to the walls. Certain dry walls are too weak to support heavy weights.

Grab a Hold of that Suction Rail!

A good tip to remember is to test the shower handrails’ suction before you actually require it. Give it a nice tug and make sure to test it as often as you can. Vacuum seals can, after time, lose it’s power in a humid environment.

The best areas to apply suction shower handrails is on smooth tiled and ceramic walls. Fiberglass material also works. You can turn any shower environment into a handicap shower.

There are handrails that can be broken into several pieces so they fit your lugguage or suitcase and be taken on your trips or vacations. And since they do not leave marks on walls, you can use them in a hotel environment.

Suction Grab Bars

A suction grab bar or a vacuum grab bar is a device used mainly in the bathroom but can be an asset for the elderly or handicapped in other rooms of the house as well. Suction grab bars are a portable handle that serves as a solution to problems with stability during standing, sitting, or situating between the two. The handle of the suction grab bar rests between two suction cups that are controlled by individual vacuum levers.

Recommended Best Suction Grab Bars

Here is a short list of suction grab bars reviews of popular and highly recommended suction bars from users like yourself.

• Shower Suction Grab Bar 11.5 Inches – This suction grab bar can be used on any flat shower non porous surface. It measures 11.5 inches. Simple to use.
• Sturdy Single Grip Portable Grab Bar – Good for heavy duty use and is portable. This suction bar provides a very sturdy grip with almost a diameter of 5 inches on the rubber pads. Packs easily in standard luggage bags.
• Affordable Suction Grab Bar – Affordable and has large suction pads. Has a color indicator that tells you if the suction is secured or if you need to re-affix the suction. Cheapest grab bar that meets your needs.
• Telescoping Suction Portable Grab Bar – Has textured plastic on the bar to provide for a non-slippery grabbing surface. Can be expanded from 19 to 24 inches for an extra long bar. This suction grab bar can be broken down into three pieces to fit any travel bag.

Which is the best suction bar for your needs? That all depends on the location and the amount of weight strength you require. Bigger suction bars require a flat surface that must be larger than your standard tile sizes. Remember the suction must fit inside the shower tiles and not pass the edges, grout lines, borders or sides. This will reduce the grip strength and be potentially dangerous for the user. If you are a traveler, then perhaps something small that fits in your luggage will be best for your portable needs. If you need the suction grab bar to be diagonally placed, then a telescoping suction bar would work best, helping to extend the range for your needs. So first figure out where you want to put the suction bar and then the rest will fall into place.

Shower Suction Grab Bars

Portable suction grab bars are most frequently used in the shower to help a person get in or out and also to help keep them balanced should they decide to remain standing while washing. Another common use is for sitting down on and getting up from the toilet. The safety and support offered by a suction grab bar is unmatched and the best part is that it travels with you.

Shower suction grab bars can provide over 100lbs of suction power with heavy duty grab bars providing over 300lbs of pulling force. One thing to note is a suction grab bar may, over time, lose its vacuum seal especially with cheaper brands. This is dangerous especially when you rely on the strength of the bar when entering and exiting a shower.

Make sure to check the grip on the suction grab bar and re-apply for a firmer and tighter hold. Be sure to purchase quality products that can stand behind their handicap shower grab bars.

Suction Grab Bars Installation

Do suction cup grab bars work in most bathroom and shower environments? They absolutely do! as long as you follow the proper installation.

Apply the suction grab bar to a dry, smooth, clean and flat surface. Press the suction rubber up against the wall so all the air is squeezed out, and then use the lever to lock on the surface.

If you are installing it on shower tiles or on handicap shower tubs, make sure the tiles are larger than the suction portion of the grab bar. On smaller tiles, the grout lines allow air to enter and this weakens the grip. The shower suction grab bars work as long as it creates a vacuum seal between the rubber and flat surface. If you have small tiles, find a way to remove the small tiles and replace with larger tiles that can fit the whole suction. Drilling into the wall is your other option. Dense and smooth surfaces work the best for suctioning while dry wall and painted walls are not suitable for these products.

Suction Grab Bar Advantages

One reason why people choose suction grab bars is to prevent drilling holes in their expensive tile walls. Wall suction grab bars do not leave any permanent damage to their surroundings. For many renters not allowed to drill or modify shower walls, a removal suction grab bar solves that problem.

Portable Grab Bars

A suction grab bar is also great for someone who requires different positioning in the placement. They can be mounted in any direction, vertically, horizontally or diagonally. Of course, when travelling, it can be very useful because fixed handles will not always be available. Portable grab bars are convenient for those constantly on the move but require the amenities of their handicap accessible homes. They are also easy to pack into any luggage.

Shower Suction Grab Bars Prices

The larger the handle size, the more expensive the suction grab bar. Prices range from $60 to $130 for typical models. Larger model sizes can go up to 29 inches in length. Suction grab bars can also be purchased in smaller sizes like 13 inches.

Although there are ADA guidelines for grab bars in the bathroom setting, when used in a personal and private setting, the placement should be set to meet your own demands.

Shower Handrails

For those with difficulty in mobility, shower handrails offer a great means for assisting in safely getting in and out of the shower. They assist in getting over the low thresholds and low curbs in showers and bathtubs. Handrails also provide stability when you lift your leg or body in a wet and slippery environment.

Shower handrails can help people to maintain their balance by transferring their weight to a fixed and stable source. In this way, shower handrails are useful in preventing dangerous falls and injuries. Shower handrails can restore both functional mobility and independence to those who may need a certain level of assistance in daily life activities.

Shower rails come in a wide variety of colors and finishes to meet your aesthetic tastes. While most shower handrails are constructed of stainless steel inner tubing, you can find a shower handrail with a stainless steel, nylon, or wooden surface. They have various features such as textured grips and non-porous, anti-microbial materials that keep your bathroom safe and sanitary. The extra grips help provide more support when your hands are wet. There are also suction shower handrails that can be easily attached and detached from a wall without leaving a mark. For a permanent installation, here are two recommended shower handrails.

This chrome handrail has a weight capacity of 250lbs, 12 inch length and has a diameter of 1 and 1/2 inches of knurled chrome.
Chrome Shower Handrails

This stainless steel handrail is 18 inches long with a 1 and 1/2 inch diameter and is able to support persons up to 500lbs.
Stainless Steel Shower Handrails

Installing Shower Handrails

A simple installation of a handrail near the shower stalls will improve your bathroom safety dramatically. Make sure the fittings on the handrails are tight and do not rotate. The rails must be anchored firmly with nails or screws that work in a wet area. Check the edges and the surrounding areas where the shower handrails are being installed for sharp or abrasive marks.

Shower Handrail Height

The ADA requirements for ADA shower handrail heights are 33-36 inches from the ground floor. Private homes do not have to comply with these requirements. These ADA guidelines are for reference points and publicly accessed buildings. In order to get the best shower handrail placement, listen to the needs of the user. Find out where they would like to place their hands as they enter and exit the shower.

Securely mounted to the wall, handrails and shower grab bars is both durable and functional while providing ergonomically designed support for comfortable and convenient usage. They are not just handicap rails that provide only usefulness for the elderly and people with disabilities but they provide an element of safety for everyone. Handrails and grab bars are now a required safety measure in almost all public places.

Should I Install Shower Handrails?

There are shower improvements that cost a lot more but do not provide as much benefits as a shower handrail. The fact is anyone, not just the disabled or elderly, can slip down on a wet floor and injury themselves. If you want to be safe and have something to hold onto as you perform your shower duties, you need to install shower handrails. If you experience slipperiness on your handrail or grab bar, make sure it comes with a gripped surface. Additionally, with all the stylish and colorful handrails on the market, being an eyesore is not a valid reason. Get one that matches your shower curtains!