How to Install a Shower Seat

A shower seat is a much needed upgrade to any shower where an elderly person may be living. When you have a shower seat installed you can breathe a little easier knowing that slips and falls will more than likely be a thing of the past. It allows a person to gain more independence while maintaining safety. The following article will show you how to install a shower seat.

Step 1 - Find the Studs

Use the stud finder to find the wooden studs in the wall. Once the stud finder finds a stud, use a marker to mark it. This is where you'll attach the seat. If you don't have a stud finder, use a 1/8-inch masonry bit and drill a hole in the grout line.

If you hit a stud, you can mark it; if not bend the end of a piece of wire to a 90-degree angle and insert in the hole. Spin the wire around until you hit a stud. Drill in this new spot and measure 16 inches from that spot to find a second stud.

Step 2 - Determining the Locations for the Screws

Now that you know where the studs are, you can determine where you will place the shower seat. Use the measuring tape and measure from the floor up to where you want the seat. Hold the shower seat over this location with each of the ends over a stud. Mark these locations with the marker.

Step 3 - Drilling the Mounting Holes

Before you can drill a hole, first use an awl to mark the location where the screws will go. If you try to just drill through tile you will find that the drill will slip and damage tiles. The awl will remove the smooth surface from the tile to give the drill bit something to grip. Place a piece of masking tape over the tile you will be drilling. Use the masonry bit and drill the holes slowly to avoid cracking the tile.

You need some clearance so use a drill bit that is slightly large in width to the mounting brackets for the shower seat. When you reach the back of the tile you should stop drilling and switch to a drill bit meant for wood. You can now drill the pilot holes through the studs.

Step 4 - Installing the Shower Seat

Before you start installing the mountain brackets you want to place silicone caulk over the pilot holes you drilled. This caulk helps to prevent water from getting behind the screws which can harm the board under the tiles. This silicone caulk will also help prevent the shower seat from moving as over time the seat can become loose from use. You can now attach the shower seat to the wall through the pilot holes. Replace the screws that came with the shower seat if they are anything other than stainless steel. Tighten the screws but just until snug to avoid tile breakage.