How to install a grab rail in tiled concrete wall?

[taylor81]

Our apartment bathroom has a bath surrounded by tiles which are applied to the solid exterior wall which I assume is concrete. Can I drill a grab rail into that wall or is the wall too solid?

[EricL]

Hello @taylor81 

Yes, it is possible to drill into the tile and the concrete wall. However, you'll need two different types of drill bit. The first is the Tile Drill Bit. This will allow you to drill into the surface of the tile without destroying it. Once you've gone through the layer of the tile the next is the concrete wall. The drill bit you need is called a Masonry Drill Bit, this bit will allow you to drill into the concrete surface which then will allow you to install your grab rail. 

Please note that grab rails have very specific mounting instructions and along with what type of screw and plug to use. Make sure to read the installation instructions carefully before purchasing parts for your grab rail.

Please remember to wear personal protection such as gloves, goggles and a mask when drilling into your wall. 

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[taylor81]

Thankyou Eric, two drill bits make sense! I should point out though, it's only my assumption that it's a concrete wall behind the tile. This is a small challenge for me as a new dyi'er, how do you know what your wall is? I understand the stud finder, and mine checks for AC cabling too, but how do you know if your behind your plasterboard wall is a timber stud, a metal stud or concrete? Is there another way to confirm somehow?

[JacobZ]

Hi @taylor81,

The best way to confirm what is behind the wall is by looking at the construction plans for your home. If you had access to them or could attain them, this would be the best way to go.

Otherwise, you could have the wall scanned with professional-grade scanning tools to determine whether there is a cavity, which would indicate there is some form of framing.

If you drilled through the tile, being in a bathroom, there's a good chance there will be either concrete or a fibre cement sheet behind it. A masonry bit is the correct tool for either, so you'll either drill and then punch through into a cavity, or drill and never find a cavity because it is solid concrete.

If you can find out the thickness of the tile, using a marker pen, you can put two lines on your masonry bit at the thickness of the tile plus 6mm and 9mm. These are the thicknesses of Villaboard, which is the most commonly used fibre cement sheet in bathrooms. If you slow down drilling when you approach these marks, you should be able to feel if you are about to punch through the back of a sheet. If you get to these marks and feel no difference, then it's pretty likely there is no void and there is solid concrete.

If you get through the tile and you see white powder, like in plasterboard, then it should be 10mm thick, and you can use the same technique I mentioned above.

Let me know what you think and if you require further explanation, please let me know so I can assist further.

Jacob