How to Install a Diagonal Shower Safety Rail

Choose the length and style of grab bar you want in your shower stall. Common lengths for safety rails and grab bars for showers and combination tub and showers include ADA-approved HL, GL and HQ series, ranging from 12 to 48 inches in length.

Select the type of material you want your safety bar constructed of, which include chrome, PVC pipe and stainless steel. Choose diagonal safety bars, also known as 90-degree angle bars that are rustproof and approved by the American Disabilities Association whenever possible. Mounting flanges should come with the safety rail kit.

Mark the location of vertical studs in the wall using a stud finder and a marker, piece of masking tape or chalk pencil.

Hold the safety bar inside the shower stall in the position you desire and mark with a chalk pencil, marker or piece of masking tape, ensuring that the screw points line up with the studs you've located earlier. If they don't, alter the position of the safety bar until they do.

Attach a small drill bit to a hand drill to start the holes for your screws. Use carbide- or diamond-tipped drill bits to bore through wall tiles. Avoid shattering the tile by placing a piece of masking tape directly over the intended hole location and mark the point with a marker. Operate the drill at low speed to gradually drill the hole.

Mount a shower safety rail using anchor screws if one of the screw points in each end of the grab bar cannot be mounted into the actual stud. Insert a screw into one of the screw points at the top end of the safety rail and tighten halfway. Your screws should be at least 1 inch long in order to adequately bear the weight of a 250-lb. adult, or more, depending on the model and brand of safety rail you've chosen.

Insert a screw into one of the screw points at the bottom end of the rail, situating at an angle that you prefer and that ensures each end will anchor into a wall stud. Tighten the screw halfway. If you're satisfied with the placement, continue tightening all screws.

Test the safety rail using your own weight. Grasp the bar and literally hang from it. If it budges, even a little, you may need to reinstall, using anchors for your screws, or longer screws.