I want to replace the truly awful mat that was in the tub in my parents’ house with something safer and less prone to mold. Was considering the Gorilla Grip mat but wanted some input here. We have a tub/shower with sliding doors. Not something I can change right now, but I need to make the best of what we have. Also, are suction grab bars with color indicators safe to use?
I had bars in the tub when we moved into our house. One of the bars lay in the bottom of the tub with broken tiles on the wall and scattered in the tub. I’d say no safety bar is sturdy unless it’s bolted to the lumber in the inner wall. So if I was wanting one I’d have it installed Professionally.
As for a non-slip mat, I've found that the stick on non-slip tape is much less maintenance. Put on right, it lasts years if not decades. Some of it in my parent's tub I put on when I was a kid. It's been there 40-50 years. Still works. Even better, you can hire someone to etch the smooth service into a rough service. It's what hotels do. Then the whole bottom of the tub is non-slip. This only works with a porcelain tub and not fiberglass.
Buy the right type of drill bit in the right size screws. The drill bits are most often labeled for the type of surface. You want the one labeled for ceramic tile.
If you are still not confident about doing it yourself, then hire a handyman.
Another tip: I replaced my cloth bathmat with a brightly colored bathtub mat (with suction cups). Now I can confidently step out of the shower without worry. You could also use a long bathtub mat to cover more of your bathroom floor.
Never use suction hand rails they never hold.
Suction bath mats do work as long as they are firmly adhered to the tub bottom. They should be taken out of the tub when not in use to allow them to dry and prevent mold. i have had a suction mat slip but luckily I came to no harm.
Wall mounted bars MUST be properly installed and screwed to the wall studs. New rails are usually packed with the correct screws.
If you need to screw through existing ceramic tile do as others have suggested and have it professionally installed or if capable purchase the appropriate drill bit. These drill bits blunt very easily so to reduce the chance of cracking a tile purchase a new one for each installation. Not difficult to do if you have some skills and the equipment.
When bathing make sure hands are dry before pulling on a rail to minimize slipping.
Also as someone suggested the non sip strips properly installed in a tub will last for many years.. Again they have to be kept clean because they can become slippery.
I always let the tub drain before trying to get out so if i do slip and become unconscious i won't drown!
Right now i would love a soak in the tub but am too weak to safely get out of the tub. I can get in OK but not enough strength in the arms and legs. What I am thinking of doing is screwing a trapeze bar into the ceiling to pull myself up on.
For now I content myself with using a shower seat and kneeling to wash my hair. I can get up from kneeling by pulling on the shower seat. By the way I hate showers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Any bath mats must have a rubber backing and be hung up when not in use.
Those Suction Cup Grab Bars are fine to steady you - but they are NOT safe to support you. You can buy support bars online and in Lowes/Walmart - so many stores. Then attach them with Molly-Bolts and for the tub, find someone that knows how to do it.
I have 2 in my tub, one on the wall across from the toilet, one on top of the sink cabinet and one on the door that I blocked open. My DH uses all of them. The one on the wall had to be attached with molly-bolts - the ones in the walk-in shower, the contractor set boards behind the walls for the extra support when he converted my tub to a walk-in shower.
I repeat - the suction cup grab bars are NOT support bars.
From my experience you think your fixing one problem but you cause another.
These people know of what's available & new trends.
Good Luck
I would have traditional grab bars installed. (interesting thing I found was grab bars that I could find in the "big box hardware stores" did not properly size with the studs in the house. Studs being 16 inches you would think that they would come 16 then 32 inches long and they don't so you have to buy special anchors or mount them on an angle)
The other thing I would do right away is remove the slider glass doors and replace with a shower curtain. The glass will shatter if the bar that is used to open and close as well as hang a towel on is used as a grab bar.
Also if there is a towel bar on the wall near the bathtub/shower remove the towel bar and replace it with a grab bar. (I caught my Husband several times using the towel bar to steady himself.)
As far as non slip mats or strips for the bottom of the tub I used strips that are normally placed on the foot step part of a lawn tractor. They are much more "grippy" than the usual strips you find. The ones I found were black. Not real "pretty" but they are visible and that helped as he knew where to stand.
One of the things you might want to consider is getting a shower bench or chair
or
I used to get used walkers from the resale shops (never paid more than $3.00 for one) and I would keep that walker in the shower so he would have something stable to hold onto while he was in the shower. (This was a shower not a tub shower though so there was more room.)
Mmm got me thinking :)
The comment about the grab bars not fitting between the studs is legitimate. they can be installed vertically as well. zip they have to be horizontally it is possible to install a 2X4 screwed to the studs and attach the bar to that. if you are adding a new bathroom before you put up the drywall install the 2X4 between the studs
I did not have wheels on the walker that I place in the shower. I had 4 rubber tips on the walker. Made it a little more difficult for him to walk with that walker but I was looking for stability not mobility. Once the shower was done I swapped the walker without wheels for his regular walker. I would have him stand next to the grab bar that I had placed on the wall. It was a long one about 36 inches and it was rather low so he could easily hold it. Also placing it low when he was in a wheelchair later it was at the perfect height for him to grab onto so he could move himself forward. I would dry him off and get him partially dressed. Shirt, briefs pants, shoes and socks were done in the bedroom. Later when he was mostly chair bound all dressing was done in the bathroom.
I personally wear water shoes in tub & when I go to a pool [4 X a week] so that I don't slip - as a person moves around they can walk off the mat - the mat is a source of mold unless it is aired well & often - my water shoes go wherever my foot goes & they dry fast - mine cover my foot to just below my ankle, have holes for drainage, are easy to get on & off due to side zipper, float if I'm not wearing them & made of soft plastic - to have them plus a mat might cover lots of bases
Get a shower chair!
The shower I have is a walk in shower and the walker was easier for us.
I tried a seat in the shower and he was resistant. Only was able to get him seated when I began to seat him in the shower chair right out of bed then wheeled him into the shower.
Found similar on Amazon, Going to get a pair each. Yippee will feel safe again.
I already have a shower seat.