Fitting Grab rail to 'plasterboard' only

danjo-xx

Want to fit a grab rail over bath but is it safe to fit it to the plasterboard only using spring toggles.

listermint

danjo-xx wrote: »

Want to fit a grab rail over bath but is it safe to fit it to the plasterboard only using spring toggles.

It will pull out very very easily or soon. Grab rails are not designed to be easy on a wall the fixings will pull straight out I'd be surprised if you got 6 months out of it even the larger toggle fittings can you find the studs?

looksee

No. I wouldn't fit a towel rail to plasterboard only, no to mention a grab rail. I think you might find it contrary to h&s legislation (not sure if there is any relevant )

moonshadow

Bad idea to fix to pasterboard only even if tec 7 is used..... You lead the user into a sense of security where they may place full weight on a plastic toggle....
If you cannot fit one even diagonally to studs I'd recommend fitting secure grounds even if a bit of wall surgery is required.

danjo-xx

Yeah thought myself that was a real no no, tired to find studs with a detector last year but go slightly different readings when double checking.
Think there might be two studs beside each other and the gap between
was confusing things.


Any kind of camera I could hire,like an infra red that would give me a visual image of the stud positions.

Really like to diy this, if a solid wall it would be right up my street.:D

Satriale

You could drive a line of screws an inch apart into the board to locate the studs. A few minutes to fill and sand after.

Rhinohippo

Definitely not a good idea although in most bathrooms in modern houses, it's plasterboard walls internally.

my3cents

Would it work for you OP to put a decent looking piece of timber across the wall and screw that firmly to the studs and then screw the grab rail to the timber?

You can finish the timber anyway you like before fixing it and it would give you a better anchor for the grab rail and allow the rail to be fitted in the ideal position for you needs.

Note I suggest using real solid timber due to the dampness in the bathroom and not chipboard or similar.

M.T.D

Helped a friend with a minor repair in a house in Ballyfermot. The plasterboard walls were quite thin, 2 layers of plasterboard with card honeycomb in between, no studs.

Sleeper12

Best option is locate two studs and put in a bridging piece. The plasterboard can be cut slightly bigger than the bridging piece. It can then be screwed back in place. Mix up some pollyfilla to fill the gaps/ cracks. Now you have proper grounds to screw in the handrail. Done right it will never come away from the wall.

my3cents

danjo-xx wrote: »

Yeah thought myself that was a real no no, tired to find studs with a detector last year but go slightly different readings when double checking.
Think there might be two studs beside each other and the gap between
was confusing things.


Any kind of camera I could hire,like an infra red that would give me a visual image of the stud positions.

Really like to diy this, if a solid wall it would be right up my street.:D

Mark in someway that won't damage the surface where you think the studs are then drill a pilot hole with a 0.5mm drill bit and see what you find. If you are wrong at worst you have a 0.5mm hole to fill and perhaps cover up in some way. If you are putting a strip of wood to support the rail across the wall you can try a few more test 0.5mm holes to find see if there really is something to anchor to below the plaster board. At worst you might have say four 0.5mm holes and have proved there is nothing better to anchor into, at best one hole will do it.

danjo-xx

Heres a pic,



I'm sure there is a stud or even double studs just before where
the tiling starts and this is exactly where I want to fit the handle and fit it vertically, its only 15"

I'll drill a couple of pilot holes over the christmas and find out exactly what
the story is hopefully.


This is a hollow partition wall with plasterboard on each side.
Would the studs be 3 x 2 or more likely only 3 x 1.5 House is about
35yrs old.

my3cents

The stud is most likely where you can see a crack which is probably where two sheets of plasterboard meet over a vertical stud.

lawred2

danjo-xx wrote: »

Want to fit a grab rail over bath but is it safe to fit it to the plasterboard only using spring toggles.

Unlikely

Deagol

my3cents wrote: »

The stud is most likely where you can see a crack which is probably where two sheets of plasterboard meet over a vertical stud.

I've found a strong magnet very good for finding studs. Just run it over the wall until you find a plaster nail and then go vertical until you find the next ones. You can quickly make a grid pattern of the studs doing it that way.

Rhinohippo

Deagol wrote: »

I've found a strong magnet very good for finding studs. Just run it over the wall until you find a plaster nail and then go vertical until you find the next ones. You can quickly make a grid pattern of the studs doing it that way.

Brilliant idea. Would never have thought of this.

danjo-xx

Tried using a pick up magnet but no joy, guess its not half strong enough.

Anyone use one of the apps. I think drilling the holes will do me fine. Room needs decorating anyway.:D

Imagine depending on a vacuum handle for your safety, no thanks.

looksee

If its a cast iron bath there is a good heavy handle that sits over the side of the bath and is perfectly sound. I would not use it on a fibreglass bath though. Something like this http://www.totallyhomeimprovement.com/general/safety/keeping-home-safe-for-elderly-parents