How to Mount a Handheld Shower Bar

You can install a handheld shower bar with screws and a drill.

Handheld shower bars are useful additions to showers and are all but essential for some demographics. They provide the additional luxury of an adjustable shower head, which is great for children or taller people. They can also be necessary for elderly or disabled people who aren't as mobile. Finally, the bar provides an additional handle in case of slips in the shower.

Things You'll Need

• Drill
• Pliers
• Screws

Instructions

1. Pick a location. The handheld shower bar should be a similar height as the shower head to one side or the other. Make sure the sliding shower head will reach as low and as high as you need based on your planned use. Also, never position the bar directly under the shower head, as you may puncture the pipes, which can be disastrous.

2. Trace around the edges of the mounting flanges of the bar. Then, drill holes into the middle of the circles you traced. Use a tile drill bit to avoid shattering ceramic tile if you have tile on your walls. A regular drill bit will work for fiberglass tub cases or drywall. Put screw anchors into the holes. These will be included with your hand held shower bar in most cases but if they are not, you can take the screws that came with the shower bar to a local hardware store and find screw anchors that fit comfortably around the screw.

3. Remove any decorative caps on the ends of the bar, and use the shower bar's included screws to fasten the piece to the wall making sure it is very tight. Apply a thin layer of caulk around the edges of the mounting flanges to prevent moisture from seeping into the wall. Use level to ensure the bar is straight. Replace the decorative caps.

4. Uncoil the plastic shower tubing. Unscrew the old shower head and put it aside, and make sure to clean any buildup from the shower arm. Screw the new shower hose onto the original shower arm and tighten it with pliers. You can wrap electrical tape around the pliers to prevent it from scratching the chrome finish. To finish the job, clamp the attached shower head and hose to the bar.

References

• HGTV: How to Mount a Shower Bar