What Matters Most
|
Can you trust a suction cup grab bar to hold you if you slip? Or are you one bad moment away from finding out it can't?
Shugarman's Bath has completed more than 6,500 tub and shower remodels. We've heard horror stories about what happens when someone leans on a suction cup grab bar and has a close call.
This article breaks down whether suction cup grab bars are safe to use and what a more reliable option looks like.
Table of Contents:
- Are Suction Cup Grab Bars Safe in a Shower?
- What's a More Reliable Grab Bar Option?
- Who Benefits From a Permanently Mounted Grab Bar?
- What Are Your Next Steps for a Safer Shower?
Are Suction Cup Grab Bars Safe in a Shower?
Suction cup grab bars should not be relied on for full-body support, as they aren’t permanently mounted to a wall. The only part keeping them mounted onto a wall is the suction cups.
While they may be better than nothing, you still put yourself at risk when you hold onto them with your full body weight. There is always the risk of them popping off the wall.
What’s a More Reliable Grab Bar Option?
A permanently installed grab bar with proper backing is the far more reliable choice. The proper backing allows them to support your full weight since they’re sitting on more than a shower wall surface.
Bars work best at the shower entry, inside the shower, and near a seat if you have one. You want to make sure you’re within reach in the off-chance you need to catch yourself while slipping.
You can choose to have your grab bar angled instead of straight across, so it’s easier to pull yourself up.
Who Benefits From a Permanently Mounted Grab Bar?
Everyone can benefit from a properly secured grab bar. Wet and slippery surfaces don’t care about the person. A grab bar gives a steady point of contact every time they step into the shower, but only helps if it's within reach.
That said, older adults, people with mobility issues, individuals with special needs, and anyone recovering from surgery benefit the most.
Older adults benefit since everyone’s balance and strength change as they get older. A secure bar gives them something dependable to hold onto during everyday showering.
People with mobility issues like arthritis, vertigo, or neuropathy often need extra support to move safely through a shower. It helps to have the support exactly where someone with mobility issues needs it.
Individuals with special needs benefit from having a fixed point of contact built into their space, as it can help them achieve greater independence.
For all of these groups, the bar only helps if it holds up the moment you need it. Suction cup grab bars can’t provide what a more secure option can.
What's Your Next Step for a Safer Shower?
Suction cup grab bars might have felt like a quick fix, but they’re a solution you can never fully trust. Permanent and properly mounted grab bars are the far safer choice.
If you want to make your tub and shower area even safer, read our article on other shower safety fixes.
Contact us to talk to an expert if you have questions about grab bars, other safety features, or general questions.
The opinions expressed in the referenced materials are those of the authors only, not necessarily of Shugarman’s Bath. While these referenced materials are useful in answering generalized questions, each bathroom is unique. For a particular question about your tub or shower remodeling project, contact your Shugarman’s Bath consultant.
