Safety is essential when it comes to elderly and disabled people. For some reason, having someone to assist them in their daily activities is not enough to ensure they are safe. That is when bathroom safety equipment comes into action. There is a wide variety of equipment you can install in your bathroom. Each piece of equipment has its specific purpose and aid for the user.
One prominent piece of bathroom safety equipment is grabbing rails. They come in different sizes, lengths, and types and can be installed in different orientations. They are essential equipment to provide safety for those with mobility impairments and with seniors.
The difference between grab rails and grab bars
Safety grab rails and grab bars are the same thing. They are poles that are installed on the bathroom wall for patients to hold on to. They give balance, stability, and independence to their users, especially when they are taking showers. Grab rails are also installed near the toilet so that users can easily sit down or stand up.
This equipment has different varieties, and one of them is called suction grab rails. They are installed using suction caps located at the ends of the bar. Suction grab rails stick into the bathroom walls to function using air and pressure from the caps.
Maximum weight suction grab rails can hold
Grab bars and grab rails are designed and developed for people to use. Rails available in the market today can hold weight ranging from 180 lbs to 250 lbs – which can vary depending on the type and brand of product.
However, we should never forget that suction grab rails are not recommended for more prolonged use as caregivers. Using them alone cannot support human weight. Although you weigh less than the maximum capacity, it is still not safe to rely on them. Suction grab rails are meant only to aid someone with balance and stability issues.
Do suction grab rails work?
Grab rails are recommended to be fixed to gain their full safety benefits. However, suction grab rails were invented for some considerations, such as being portable and easy to install. While fixed bars are installed using bolts and screws, suction grab rails are stacked to the bathroom wall using the slight vacuum created using air, pressure, and some fluid. When air or water is introduced into the vacuum, the pressure drops, and the suction cups lose their grip. In case the seal produced by the suction is disrupted, suction cup mounts start to lose efficacy.
With this, we can say that suction grab bars are a temporary solution for someone who needs a slight aid in balancing when stepping over something and performing simple tasks. But we cannot say they do not work, or they are not effective. It’s just that it is not recommended for long-term or heavy-duty usage.
What wall surfaces work best for suction grab rails?
Since suction grab rails rely on the vacuum, they need a partner to stick to, including flat and non-porous surfaces such as flat smooth tiles, glass, acrylic, and fiberglass. For rails to function effectively, we must ensure that the surface is free from any grooves and other finishes affecting the suction cap.
Installing suction grab rails
Suction grab rails are easier to install than the standard fixed ones. But this does not mean there are no correct steps in their installation. To provide maximum safety to users, we should install suction grab rails sturdily and adequately. Here are a few easy steps:
- Prepare all the things needed in the installation, such as a level bar, towel to dry off any wet area on the bathroom wall, and the suction grab rails. Make sure there are no cracks, breaks, and another unsmooth area on the wall or glass.
- Dry off wet areas on the wall, then mark the points you want to place on your rails.
- Position the bars to your preferred location. You can use the level bar to make sure that you install them properly.
- Push the suction cup until the air on the cup is completely gone. As you release your hand, a vacuum is created between the cup and the wall, making the rails stick to it.
- Pull it slightly to check if it can support little weight.
Advantages of suction cup grab rails
Suction grab rails wouldn’t have survived today’s market if they didn’t have any advantages. Here are some of them:
- Easy to install
Family caregivers could benefit from them the most since they are effortless to install and convenient for them. Patients having slight bruises from a fall can install them independently without any aid from someone.
- Less Damage
Suction grab rails do not need screws and bolts to function. Thus, there will be no drilling through your walls which could damage your bathroom tiles.
- Portable
We travel a lot, and another good feature of these grab rails is their portability. You can easily detach and install them again on hotel baths or a relative’s house. Temporary patients using walking aids can use them since they only require aid for balance and stability.
Advantages of suction cup grab rails
There are also limitations and drawbacks to using suction grab rails. Here are some of them:
- Require specific wall finishes
For suction grab rails to function appropriately, they need to be installed on wall surfaces that are flat, smooth, and non-porous. Never try to stick them on surfaces not mentioned earlier unless you want your loved one’s safety to be compromised.
- Lose grip
Suction grab rails will lose their grip sooner regardless of how sticky and stable it is in their position. Time will soon release the seal between the wall and the suction cups, lessening the grip suction grab rails.
- Fewer options
Suction grab bars are limited only to provide balance and remote support to users. Surface limitations also affect their performance compared to the standard grab rails.
The Takeaway
Suction grab rails have the same purpose as the standard ones. Practically speaking, fixed grab rails offer the most effective use since they are stable, secured, and hold up the human weight. However, there are a few limitations in line with them. Regardless of the situation, we must always take safety as our priority, especially for our loved ones. If you need access to a wide variety of daily living aids, Avacare Medical is the perfect place to be. Visit our website for more details.
