Safe, Sleek, and Strong - Moen Grab Bars

Grab Bars that are visually appealing often make it easier for many people to accept. Among those who would greatly benefit from the addition of grab bars into the bathroom are many who have a misconception of grab bars as these ugly institutional looking bars that are only for people with the worst handicaps. They have a fear that the appearance of these bars will negatively effect the presentation of their home. Moen - Creative Specialties International has manufactured an assortment of bath safety products including their grab bars which come in a large selection of beautiful finishes. Many of their grab bars are made to coordinate well with a host of other Moen bathroom accessories and fixtures. Mr. Grab Bar of Sarasota, the leading installer of grab bars in Sarasota has been providing a plethora of Moen grab bars in many appealing finishes including; Oil Rubbed Bronze, Old World Bronze, Chrome, Brushed Nickel, and Polished Brass.

Moen Grab Bars

Moen Product - Brushed Nickel Grab Bars

Here at Sarasota Grab Bars we have done our research to inform you about the latest grab bars on the market. One grab bar that comes to mind that isn't only strong and reliable but also visually appealing that never ceases to impress is the Moen Kingsley Brushed Nickel Grab Bar. This grab bar is a stylish device that works perfectly in situations when your bathroom fixtures are made out of a brushed nickel. Currently the only carrier and installer of this wonderful product in Sarasota is Mr. Grab Bar of Sarasota who has been the leading installer in the Florida for the past decade.

Grab Bars for Stroke Victims

For recent victims of a stroke, grab bars can provide much needed assistance and security. In order that grab bars are placed in the most suitable locations for the individual a proper assessment by an installation specialist is critical. Howard Cohen, a licensed physical therapist and a grab bar installation specialist for Mr. Grab Bar of Sarasota is an example of a qualified professional with not only the tools for the job but also the know-how to customize grab bar placement based on patients' individual needs. A reduction in mobility, strength, and awareness is common with stroke victims. Often times they are only afflicted on one side of their body. Along with these difficulties are problems with vision, balance, and even temperament. Understanding all of these factors will help a qualified professional gauge the best locations for grab bars to be installed for optimal safety and security.

Grab Bars in the Bathroom to Prevent Falls

There are many locations throughout the household where grab bars can be effectively placed to prevent falls, none of which are more critical then inside the bathroom. This should come as no surprise as leading health officials have labeled the bathroom as the most hazardous area of the house when it comes to fall risk. Within the bathroom is a trio of the most common locations where falls can take place; within the shower or tub enclosure while washing, at the entrance/exit of the shower when getting in or getting out, and adjacent to the toilet while getting up or sitting down. Also prevalent are falls that occur around the vanity or counter tops as well as within the middle of the bathroom when tiled floor is present which can be slippery when wet.

Many seniors are especially at risk of falls when they have limited mobility, chronic fatigue, weakened limbs, a loss of balance, degradation in vision and numerous other physical or mental ailments. For the most part seniors are constantly aware of their limitations and are extraordinarily cautious with their movements around the bathroom, however there are some who are healthy active individuals who can be overly confident for their own good and are resistant to having grab bars installed. It is people of this line of thinking that take little or no precautions while getting in and out of the tub/shower which can lead to a life-changing unexpected fall. Mr. Grab Bar of Sarasota is all too familiar with this issue pointing out that "the unexpected fall should be a big concern to our aging population". If you have a loved one who is resistant to grab bars and is too overly confident for their own good it might be time for you to talk to that person and convince them to take precautions by installing grab bars.                                                                                                                                   

Where to Install Grab Bars for Optimal Safety

So....You finally admit that you need grab bars. Great. Now where to put them? 

This is not an uncommon thought for us to have after taking the first step of admitting that it is time to have grab bars installed. Mr. Grab Bar of Sarasota has given us some tips on the best locations to have grab bars installed when fitting your shower/tub area with grab bars.

Here is a summary of what they told us: 

It is typical to install a minimum of two grab bars in the shower/tub area. One for the purpose of assisting in entering and exiting the shower/tub area and a second one for the purpose of balance and stability while in the shower/tub. The bar for entering and exiting should be installed near the entry/exit point and positioned vertically in order to accommodate a range of heights in both its users and the difference between the floor height both inside and outside of the shower/tub area. The second one to be used while in the tub or the shower should be mounted horizontally or diagonally on the far wall from the entry/exit. 

Avoid Cracking Your Tiles - Grab Bar Installation

Installing grab bars is often a scary experience for many people. Damage to bathroom tiles is a common concern and is a frequent occurrence especially when an amateur installer is used who does not know the proper installation techniques to avoid damaging the tiles. Tile damage commonly occurs from the following oversights:

• Over-tightening of screws 
• Not drilling into the concrete block when dealing with outside walls
• Not properly assessing the current condition of tiles

Mr. Grab Bar of Sarasota is a company that specializes in grab bar installation and is well versed in how to best protect your tiles during the installation process.

Keep Your Tiles Looking Beautfiul - Hire a Professional Grab Bar Installation Specialist

Bathroom Safety Products Recommended to be Used in Conjunction with Grab Bars

Sarasota Grab Bars recently had the opportunity to sit down with Howard Cohen of Mr. Grab Bar of Sarasota to ask him a few questions. 

Here is part of that conversation: 

Sarasota Grab Bars: Howard, are they any other bathroom safety products out there that work well with grab bars to make our bathrooms safer for people with disabilities or mobility limitations?

Howard Cohen (Mr. Grab Bar of Sarasota): Interesting that would ask. I have been advocating the use of Anti-Slip flooring for the last decade to all my clients with walk-showers to reduce the occurrence of falls. 

Sarasota Grab Bars: Really. Are there any brands in particular that you would like to mention that make anti-slip flooring?

Howard Cohen (Mr. Grab Bar of Sarasota): Yes there are! There are two products in particular that I would recommend. First is a product called Dri-Dek which is made up of tiles that easily snap together in order to create a wall to wall bath mat. After its assembly it is easy to pickup to wash the floor underneath. The other product is called DuraGrid and is made out of interlocking tiles that also snap together but can be assembled without the need for any tools.

to see the rest of this interview stay tuned....

Installing Grab Bars Into Metal Studs

We here at Sarasota Grab Bars are always doing our best to find out the best advice for grab bar installation from the most qualified grab bar installation specialists. We had the recent opportunity to sit down with Howard Cohen of Mr. Grab Bar of Sarasota and get some tips on how to install grab bars into metal studs.

Here is what he said:

"Whenever encountering metal studs in grab bar installation as opposed to wooden studs take the following steps" 

• Locate the metal stud with a studfinder 
• Drill a pilot hole
• Probe the pilot hole with a short metal wire 
• If all is clear of obstacles expand the opening with a half inch bit (preferably carbide glass or tile bits)
• Insert a Toggler Snap Toggle right into the metal stud
• Final note: Sometimes you will need to trim some of the plastic off of the toggle in order that it does not jut out from underneath the flange of the grab bar.

Use of a Grab Bar Together with an Elevated Toilet or Commode

Mr. Grab Bar of Sarasota has given us here at Sarasota Grab Bars some helpful advice in terms of using a grab bar in conjunction with an elevated toilet or commode. If installed strategically adjacent to an elevated toilet (ADA toilet) or 3 in 1 commode chair, a grab bar can serve as a significant device for security and aid for those showing difficulties with sitting and standing. The raised seat is effective in regards to helping the individual with the initial movement but it fails in assisting with the complete range of motions from sitting to standing. Also when someone is reaching backwards to assist with sitting the elevated seat does little to alleviate the problems associated with that movement. 

 

A well placed grab bar together with the raised seat will provide the extra assistance essential for allowing safe function for the complete range of motions involved from sitting to standing and vice versa. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Long Term Benefits of Grab Bars following a Total Knee or Hip Replacement

The installation of grab bars can be a critical asset in aiding individuals who are in recovery from a total knee or hip replacement in the short term. However, even though patients who have fully recovered from these surgeries will experience increased mobility and decreased pain these empowering devices will still be useful in the long term in order to counter act the diminishing proprioceptive abilities (the ability to sense its position in space) of the effected joint. It is for this reason that these grab bars are an invaluable tool for increasing bathroom safety.

Howard Cohen, a licensed physical therapist and grab bar installation specialist for Mr. Grab Bar of Sarasota discusses this topic further in his blog.

 

 

Grab Bars - A Loving Gift for Mom and Dad

Many people with aging parents worry about their safety especially in cases where there has already been some serious falls and a stubbornness to making a change for a safer bathroom. Grab bars can make great gifts for seniors. So what better way to show your loved ones how much you care? The presentation of grab bars in the form of a gift can often be the ideal way of engaging with a senior who is stubborn to the notion of having grab bars installed, however the notion of it being a gift can be hard to reject. 

Mr. Grab Bar of Sarasota is the leading provider and most recommended grab bar installation service in Sarasota. 

Grab Bar at the Entrance to Shower - Recommendation from a Grab Bar Installation Specialist

For many debilitated people, entering and exiting the shower can be riddled with obstacles that can be very problematic. In the case where the shower is located over a bath tub there is the added challenge of needing to step over the side of the tub. Vertical grab rails placed on both the inside and outside of the shower at the entry and exit points allow the individual to stabilize his/herself with both arms as opposed to just one, thus increasing stability and reducing weight bearing on one limb. Thi is one effective placement that Mr. Grab Bar of Sarasota recommends.

Grab Bar Placed at Shower Entrance

Almond Colored Grab Bars with Non-Slip Grip

The Almond SlipTek Grab Bar is an almond colored bar that is both soft on the eyes and features a non-slip gripping called SlipTek that is comprised of grip enhancing granules that are embedded into the powder coated finish. Mr. Grab Bar of Sarasota has been offering this grab bar in both 1.25 and 1.5 inch diameters. This shower bar is stocked in a variety of lengths to accommodate any location.

 

Almond SlipTeak Grab Bar

 

Bathroom Safety with Class - Black Grab Bars

Mr. Grab Bar of Sarasota is now offering grab bars in black finishes including a smooth Matte Black Grab Bar and a Matte Black Sliptek Grab Bar. Their unique finish gives them a sleek modern look that works extremely well in many bathrooms. They are available in two different thicknesses, one 1.25" and another 1.5".

Matte Black Grab Bar

The Matte Black Sliptek Grab Bar features a slip resistant powder coating that increases gripping power in wet and soapy environments. The Matte Black Grab Bar coordinates perfectly with many black bath fixtures and accessories.

Matte Black Sliptek Grab Bar

BRAND NEW! - Grab Bars that Fold for Optimal Functionality

Mr. Grab Bar of Sarasota, the highest rated provider of grab bar installation in Sarasota is now offering an exceptional grab bar that has a very unique feature, the White Folding Grab Bar. The hinge allows the grab bar to shift in various directions. It can flip up or down which enables the safety rail to quickly fold out of the way to facilitate transfers to and from the toilet and to also provide a useful handhold for both safety and assistance when the existing walls surrounding the toilet are situated at great a distance. It can also swing from side to side to allow the bar to come into close proximity with its user when necessary. If that wasn't enough the grab bar also boasts an additional feature, a toilet paper holder for increased functionality and conservation of bathroom space.

***NOTE: It is important to get a qualified professional especially to install this grab bar especially  because it requires additional backing in the wall to accommodate the increased leverage of the device.***

Unique Design for Grab Bar Near Toilet

We here at Sarasota Grab Bars are always on the lookout for the latest inventions in grab bar bathroom safety. The new Moen LR2352DBN Designer Grab Bar with Integrated Paper Holder being provided by Mr. Grab Bar of Sarasota is a product of exceptional ingenuity that unifies both safety and security along with optimal functionality into one device. The appeal of this product and many other products like it is that it fulfills a dual function as both a fixture that would be necessary in any bathroom while also acting as a critical aid in fall prevention. There is no longer any need to clutter your bathroom wall with multiple devices. 

 

 

 

Grab Bar Installation Advice - Marking Up Prior To Drilling

Here at Sarasota Grab Bars we had the pleasure of sitting down with Howard Cohen of Mr. Grab Bar of Sarasota to get some helpful tips in how to mark up the wall before installation. Here has laid out all the proper steps to follow. 

After deciding on the proper location of a grab bar it is essential to mark up the hole location before beginning to drill. Here are the proper steps to follow:

1. Select at least 3 or more potential drill holes on each grab bar (varies depending on the particular style of grab bar). You won't necessarily drill into all of these holes, but it is best to have all of them marked in case conditions arise that force you to switch which holes to use.
2.  After placing the grab bar against the wall in the chosen location use a thin pencil very lightly for dry wall or an absorbent tile or a dry erase marker for glossy non-absorbent tile to mark the holes. In the case of black or dark tiles drywall tape should be used instead.
3. When erasing, the markings of the grab bar has been installed use dry paper towel for glossy tiles (being careful to wipe away from grout lines to avoid staining the grout) and to use a high quality drafting style eraser for light pencil marking in the case of drywall or absorbent porous tiles.

 

 

Grab Bar Installation Advice - Scoring Tile After Initial Mark Up

Here at Sarasota Grab Bars we had the pleasure of sitting down with Howard Cohen of Mr. Grab Bar of Sarasota to get some helpful tips when installing grab bars into tile. Here are some of the key points he gave us in regards to scoring the tile before drilling which helps in preventing the tile bit from skating about on the tile and scratching it and leaving mark that won't be covered up by the grab bars.

After making your initial mark up, using the grab bar as your template the following steps should be followed: 

• Score the tile by tapping gently on the center of your marks with a fine carbide punch

Standard Fine Carbide Punch

• Make sure to use a high quality well balanced mallet to control the amount of force you are applying

"Every small step taken during the installation of grab bars may seem trivial or perhaps over emphasized but this all contributes to a quality grab bar installation" - Howard Cohen of Mr. Grab Bar of Sarasota

Multifunctional Grab Bars

Mr. Grab Bar of Sarasota is unique in that it offers grab bars with multifunctional capabilities like that new Moen Grab Bar with Integrated Shelf.

Many people are weary of the idea of installing grabs for fear of making their bathroom look like the inside of a hospital bathroom, but with the new Moen Grab Bar with Integrated Shelf and products like it this is no longer the case.

Grab Bar Installation Advice - Probing the Wall

Here at Sarasota Grab Bars we had the pleasure of sitting down with Howard Cohen of Mr. Grab Bar of Sarasota to get some helpful tips in probing the wall before installation and here are the most important points he made. 

1. After drilling out the initial holes in your substrate in preparation for the attachment of the grab bar on the wall, it is wise to gently probe into the hole with a short rigid wire to assess the following by listening and feeling with the probe.
• Amount of depth available
• Potential obstacles
• The presence of metal studs, ducts, pipes etc

      2. How to use the probe in order to make these observations: 

• Bend back the end of the metal wire and flatten it against the remaining portion of the wire to allow for proper assessment of the wall thickness
• Knowing the depth of the wall will help you make the proper decision in terms of which anchoring method to use and proper screw length.

Grab Bar Installation Advice - Keeping Drill Bits Fresh

Here at Sarasota Grab Bars we had the pleasure of sitting down with Howard Cohen of Mr. Grab Bar of Sarasota to get some helpful tips in keeping drill bits fresh when working with ceramic, porcelain or marble tiles and here are the most important points he made.

• When drilling through tile it is crucial to use relatively fresh tile bits to make the work go more smoothly and even more importantly to maintain the proper hole size so that wall anchors, when necessary fit properly without too much pressure as would often be the case with a hole that is too small
• One should always inspect drill bits prior to use and closely monitor the fit of the wall anchors.
• Take periodic breaks while drilling to allow the drill bit to cool down and not get exceedingly hot which could lead to fracturing of the drill bit
• Carry a small cup of water that the drill bit can be dipped in periodically during breaks to help cool them down and prevent fracturing of the bit. 

Mr. Grab Bar of Sarasota has qualified professionals that are always aware of the most optimal techniques in grab bar installation to save your the customer time, money, and stress.

Grab Bar Installation Advice - Managing Dust

Here at Sarasota Grab Bars we had the pleasure of sitting down with Howard Cohen of Mr. Grab Bar of Sarasota to get some helpful tips in dealing with dust when installing grab bars and here are the most important points he made.

• Always have a high quality shop vacuum with a fine filtration system as you drill.
• Always use a sufficiently long hose so that the vacuum blower is around 10 feet away so as not to stir up any further dust.
• Always keep the nozzle close to your work as you drill so that the dust is dealt with as it is created, not after the job is complete and dust has made its way all around the room.
•  Remember that it is far less stress and more efficient to take care of the dust early on so that time is not wasted washing the shower floor and wiping down the cabinets and mirrors.

Mr. Grab Bar of Sarasota has qualified professionals that are always aware of the most optimal techniques in grab bar installation to save your the customer time, money, and stress.

Refitting Your Bathroom With Grab Bars - Essential For People of All Ages

Bathroom Grab Bars - For People of All Ages

Believe or not, the benefit of grab bar installation in your home is not only for people above 65 or those with disabilities but is also critical for people of all ages. A disastrous fall in the shower, and the string of events that ensue can have a great impact on anyone and everyone. The installation of bathroom grab bars into your tub or shower can add security and enable you to be independent throughout your bathroom. An unanticipated fall can occur without warning, specifically in a setting such as the bathroom, where a wet tiled floor is commonplace. It goes without saying that the importance of taking every possible step towards a safer bathroom is critical in preventing a fall that could lead to mobility issues and disabilities in the future.




Bathroom Grab Bars Should Be Installed Strategically
Bathroom grab bars are frequently placed in the shower and adjacent to the toilet or commode for both security and support. Recently grab bars have become available in more decorative and multifunctional styles that can be strategically placed to fulfill the roles of towel bars as well as safety devices throughout the bathroom.Howard Cohen, a grab bar installation specialist and licensed physical therapist for Mr. Grab Bar of Sarasota tells us that "he has often removed existing towel bars and replaced them with decorative bathroom grab bars in finishes that would coordinate with the existing bathroom accessories". In doing so an increased level of security and safety can be achieved in the bathroom while at the same time providing a non-obtrusive look that is pleasing to the eyes. "A conventional towel bar which is typically weak and inadequately anchored is in my opinion an invitation to disaster" says Howard. He goes further by telling us that "It is the most likely place for one to grab for support or assistance when it is suddenly required, and it is also very likely to fail with the application of only a minimal level of force applied".

Bathroom Grab Bars - For All Ages

Grab Bars in Brass and Chrome

Chrome and Brass Grab Bars are often desired in order to match a bathroom already fitted with Moen Decorator Bath and Moen Monticello Faucets bath accessories which come in Chrome but are accentuated with Brass rings.  The Moen Chrome-Brass Decorator grab bars are stocked in 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 inch lengths and come equipped with interchangeable chrome and polished brass accent rings. The bars are have a 1-1/4 inch diameter and are ADA compliant.

 

 

 

Chrome and Brass Grab Bars