What did you do today?

[havasu]

I too have installed both. I do remember that I had to go to a specialty bath shop for different sizes, but this was the oiled bronze type. I've seen the chrome ones that you can cut to fit, but are not as safe because the tubing will spin around and may cause some to slip off the handle. I've even tried the suction type grab bars, but they tend to break suction without notice, causing disastrous results.

 

[Mitchell-DIY-Guy]

The trick with the suction versions is that they must be removed and reinstalled periodically--like best to do it before each needed use! The suction is more than the rubber against the tile, it's the water too. Once that water used in the initial suction evaporates, all bets are off. I'm installing two more tomorrow, they'll be brushed stainless.

 

[BlueSkyHigh]

Did you know that suction cups don’t work in outer space? They can’t work because it is actually atmospheric pressure on the outside of the cup working against the vacuum inside the cup and there is no atmospheric pressure in space.

 

[havasu]

That is great info. Note to self, never take a shower while floating in space!

 

[Zanne]

The suction cup ones never worked for us. Always fell off immediately. We got Moen HomeCare (but a different style than the ones Mitchell installed).
Today I forced myself to do another layer of floor leveling mix in my bathroom. I had the tools and now have the water so no excuse not to. Only Mom distracted me halfway through and I got cornfuzzled and mixed up the ratios. Reversed the water to powder ratio. Had an oh chit moment after the mix splashed all over me, the walls, the cabinet, and then realized I'd gotten things transposed & had to add more powder-- but the powder had clumps so I had to sift out about 12 cups of powder. Went through an entire bag and about 1/3 of it was clumps. Had another bag available and wish I'd used it first bc it didn't have as many clumps. Misplaced my trowel while doing something for Mom and had to use a different one that sucks. It kept sticking to the stuff. Used a drywall scraper to spread stuff and fix some of the ridges. Back gave out so I had to stop. Didn't clean up my tools bc I had to lie down for a few minutes. Went back over an hour later-- accidentally stepped on it and messed up a spot. It's not perfect but its better than it was before. I managed to fill in some pits.

Went to Walmart after and grabbed groceries with my brother. Stopped by my friend's house to drop off kitten chow and hold the newborn kittens. Eyes aren't open yet. They are so adorable!

 

[BlueSkyHigh]

Speaking of suction cups, I have some "high end" suction cup razor holders that have the screw mechanism to increase the suction to levels that could probably suck the chrome of a trailer hitch but, over time, they still seem to fall off in the dead of night causing me to reach for the biometric safe and what's nestled safely inside. I've been tempted to put a thin coat of clear silicone RTV on one in an attempt to stop them from falling off. Is the RTV thing a good or a stupid idea? Also, I suppose I could bite the bullet and screw a hole in one of the tiles and mount it permanently but that seems overkill.

 

[Zanne]

I don't know what RTV is. LOL. Maybe try Command removable sticky tape or something?
Speaking of sticky stuff, the velcro came off my tray (but still bonded to the other velcro) and Sir Hammington knocked one of my speakers off. I need to clean up the tray more thoroughly and get another piece of velcro in there. I want my speaker to stay in place! Might have to use some stronger adhesive if it doesn't work.

 

[BlueSkyHigh]

My bad. RTV, or room temperature vulcanizing, is silicone rubber glue/adhesive that smells of acetic acid as it cures.

 

[Zanne]

Ah. I don't know. I think I'd try the doublesided tape or the command adhesive before something like that. But I'm no expert.
I'm trying to figure out how to get the adhesive side of the velcro to stick. Sir Hammington kicked my speaker off and the velcro came up with it.

 

[Mitchell-DIY-Guy]

The suction cup ones never worked for us. Always fell off immediately. We got Moen HomeCare (but a different style than the ones Mitchell installed).

The suction cup models work well on CLEAN glass, or CLEAN SMOOTH tile. If your tile isn't smooth/glossy or isn't clean, the vacuum seal is compromised and as you note it won't work. I have a pair of them here at home that I used for my Dad (who is now 100) when he came to visit and prior to me installing the permanent ones. We have smooth tile. Wet the cups, and they work like a charm if you renew the seal regularly.

Yesterday, I installed THREE more safety bars, kind of an emergency. Got a call from a local visiting nurse assigned to a case; an elderly veteran was coming home from the hospital on Wednesday afternoon. The safety bars were essential for him to use the shower safely. When I arrived they only had ONE vacuum mount one, vertical on the glass to assist in exiting the shower.

The ones I installed yesterday were all identical; peened stainless steel, concealed fasteners. All three were 18" length. All three went into studs. If you look at the photo with two bars, the one on the right is to assist the patient in standing up from the seat in the shower. The one on the left is to assist the patient in getting to the shower exit. The vertical one is to hold onto as he exits the shower threshold.

There's a system called "Wing Its" for installing these in walls when you cannot find the studs. Unfortunately, the system requires a ¾" hole in the wall which is a bit invasive for my tastes, and the WingIts are also $14.00 a pair. Hillman fasteners makes a toggle bolt that only requires a ½" hole; it's a threaded solid rod of zinc that takes a ¼-20 screw, and it's attached to a zip tie with a small grommet. I've used these too behind tile when needed.

 

[Zanne]

We tried the suction stuff on a fiberglass showertub unit. Cleaned it as thoroughly as we could but I guess it wasn't enough. It is from the 60s or 70s though.
Nice bathroom!
Also great that your dad is 100! I wish mine had lived that long. Only made it to 61.
I was trying to sleep but the cats decided to wake me up. My 3 black & white kitties are all piled on now.
Waiting for daylight so I have a better view of the floor in my bathroom.

 

[Mitchell-DIY-Guy]

We tried the suction stuff on a fiberglass showertub unit. Cleaned it as thoroughly as we could but I guess it wasn't enough. It is from the 60s or 70s though.
Nice bathroom!
Also great that your dad is 100! I wish mine had lived that long. Only made it to 61.

Not much experience with fiberglass tub/shower combos. Hate them. HOWEVER I think if you visit a boat store you can find fiberglass polish to really bring out the old shine in even old fiberglass. One of my clients wants to install a grab bar onto the back wall of one of those and there's just too much flex there. I don't think I can do it.

Dad didn't just "make it" to 100. He's doing quite well; walks, talks, drives, goes to yoga...in fact Dad, my wife and sister and I all going on a two week trip to Sicily tomorrow. Yeah, he's in that good a shape. So far so good!

 

[Zanne]

Oh, we're ditching this showertub. Not only is it ugly (its avocado green) but the tub is cracked. We had to patch it with flex seal. Right now its not even hooked up because we need to put in the new shower valve. Ditching it and putting in a shower instead. Will put backers on the walls and put blocking behind it to support grab bars.

Wow! I know people much younger than that who are in much worse shape. Glad your dad is doing so well.

Floor in my bathroom is still dry. I was confused about some very dark spots and then I remembered that the additive splashed there and I didn't wipe it up so it stained. Doesn't matter since I'll be covering it up. I'll be posting pics in my thread I started about my bathroom project. I need to sweep and vacuum and then lay the sheet vinyl down.

 

[Wrench]

I bought this and will get it it some time in the next 10 days or so. It will be storage and the front may be a 'study". I need to redo the inside of my mobile home, so this will let me put good stuff out there while I trash everything that is left from each room.

 

[Steve_K2]

Mitchell, I wish I had your skills installing shower bars.

My wife and I are 75, and I know I'm a fool for not having done it already.

What's stopped me so far is 1) fear of missing the stud (or should I just go out and buy a quality stud finder) (did I mention I'm cheap?) and 2) cracking the tile when drilling the hole in it. I've drilled countless holes in wood but not one, ever, in tile.

Why don't builders install shower bars when the walls are exposed?

 

[havasu]

I took a massive amount of pictures when having my shower rebuilt, so when the time comes that I need a shower bar installed, I can easily identify where the studs are located.

 

[Mitchell-DIY-Guy]

Mitchell, I wish I had your skills installing shower bars.

My wife and I are 75, and I know I'm a fool for not having done it already.

What's stopped me so far is 1) fear of missing the stud (or should I just go out and buy a quality stud finder) (did I mention I'm cheap?) and 2) cracking the tile when drilling the hole in it. I've drilled countless holes in wood but not one, ever, in tile.

Why don't builders install shower bars when the walls are exposed?

As for builders, they may be cheaper than you are! Most don't give a rat's $#@ about the homeowner after the fact. These things should be CODE for goodness sake. More accidents happen in bathrooms than anywhere else in the home. Look it up.

If your tile doesn't go up to the ceiling you can generally find the studs above the tile and below the ceiling and follow them down.

I have two stud finders and they aren't worth %$#@ on tile.

I use a small carbide bit, and then will switch to larger, and then diamond bits. CHEAP on Amazon. I go slow with my drill and wet bits. The last three bars I installed were less than three hours labor.

If you miss a stud, no big deal. Look up "WingIts" or the Hillman Toggle bolts.

 

[Steve_K2]

As for builders, they may be cheaper than you are! Most don't give a rat's $#@ about the homeowner after the fact. These things should be CODE for goodness sake. More accidents happen in bathrooms than anywhere else in the home. Look it up.

If your tile doesn't go up to the ceiling you can generally find the studs above the tile and below the ceiling and follow them down.

I have two stud finders and they aren't worth %$#@ on tile.

I use a small carbide bit, and then will switch to larger, and then diamond bits. CHEAP on Amazon. I go slow with my drill and wet bits. The last three bars I installed were less than three hours labor.

If you miss a stud, no big deal. Look up "WingIts" or the Hillman Toggle bolts.

Many thanks, Mitchell, for the useful advice. I'm copying it to a Word document as a reference guide. This is going to the top of my list of projects.

 

[Zanne]

Builders don't think about a lot of things. One of the reasons I like The Crazy Framer on Youtube is that he actually thinks about what the other trades will have to do behind him. He puts in blocking for grab bars, towel bars, wall-mount sinks, baseboard, drywall, etc. He also will move studs over to accommodate future plumbing, electrical etc. He put poly (vapor barrier) up under the top board on top of the walls so people who work after him on drywall and stuff can tie in vapor barriers to it. On one house it wasn't his job to do the house wrap on a roof gable but he said it would be harder for the people who would be doing the siding & it was easy for him to do it right then to make it easier. He griped about the builders choosing non-pressure treated stuff and OSB but he used it because they told him to and those were the materials they ordered.

Wrench, that is a cute storage building. Check the joists and lumber in it when you get it though. Might need some reinforcement. They were selling some of those near my area but I looked at the construction & they used lumber with knots, didn't have things lined up properly, & it was really a shoddy mess. Hope you got a good quality one.

I cleaned up my floor and folded the sheet vinyl back over it to see how everything lines up. Need to smooth out some bubbles and get it oriented properly when my body stops feeling like I tumbled off a cliff. Need to get some potassium bc magnesium alone isn't helping. I know Havasu said its clear the floor isn't flat/level but its closer to level and flatness than it was before & I'm worried if I try to do another layer I'll just make it worse. The area for the toilet is level enough. I can always use shims. And I plan to put in some boards to raise the toilet up a bit (if it proves to be too low and hard to get up from) with some painted pressure treated lumber underneath. Will have to put in a new closet flange but that is not a big issue.

 

[Zanne]

Today I got up and did some cleaning, picked my friend up to come patch the ceiling in the pantry to keep mice out, moved a bulky end table from my room to the living room. I got it most of the way, friend got it through the living room door & set it down near where it got put eventually (had to move another end table). Friend also put screws in the hinges on the pantry door. Heavy door, only one screw in each hinge on the wall and only two screws on the hinges where they attached to the door. He used my new drill that has an LED and had an impact attachment so he didn't need to pre-drill. He used a pneumatic nail gun to get the wire mesh up on the ceiling in the pantry. He liked it. The air compressor was fairly heavy. He had to unbox it along with the nail guns it came with. He put them all up in my tool closet for me. He also hauled out a heavy trash bag I couldn't quite lift (full of expired cans of stuff from cleaning out the pantry). I took him to the grocery store and then back to his home and helped him unload stuff. His toddler was super happy to see me. Kid always wants a hug and to be picked up.

Gave them all hugs and headed back home with frozen veggies and stuff. Fed Mom, ate a salad, moved her old end table and discovered a ton of trash under it and around it. Sat on my stool that doubles as a basket to pick up trash. Almost couldn't get back up. Got a contractor bag about halfway filled, moved the new end table in place and set the other one at the end of a coffee table. Now there is more space to set stuff.

I'm taking a break now, resting my back, and Mewlatto is happily curled up on my chest and Aminatu is on my leg.

I had to share the link to the little stool thingy that doubles as a basket. It has been very useful. Amazon.com: Safe-T-Stool the Safest, Most Versatile Stool in America (GLOSSY BLUE) : Office Products
No longer for sale at that link though. But I was trying to remember what it was called.