Tips in Grab Bar Installation! - Probing the wall

We are frequently on the lookout for the latest tips in grab bars installation here at the Pinellas County Grab Bars Blog. A leading provider in grab bar installations in Pinellas County, Mr. Grab Bar has sat down with us to give us some helpful advice in probing the inside of a wall prior to fastening a grab bar.

Here is what we learned:

1. Assessment of the condition within a wall and the presence of potential obstacles is critical to a successful grab bar installation. A short rigid metal wire, approximately 6 inches in length is often used to determine the following:
• The depth between the drill hole entrance and the back of the wall
• The presence of obstacles 
• Determination of the studs (metal or wood), and whether there are any potential hazards including pipes, ducts etc. 
2. When using the probe to make these assessments, please make sure to do the following:     
• To measure the depth of the wall, simply bend the remaining portion of the probe that is sticking out of the drill hole. If the wall is too deep, then there is no worry.

Obtaining this information is critical to determining which anchors to use and what screw lengths to use.