Question about suction cups on toilet safety rails and small tiles?
by
April
+19
I’ve been looking at this product: http://www.vivehealth.com/products/toilet-safety-frame-rail?variant=32543218040932
But, I’m not sure if the suction cups would fit our tiled floor, since the tiles are only 3 x 3. I’m told the suction cups measure 3.94 x 3.94 x 2.36 inches. They seem to think it’ll work, however I would like a second opinion. Do you think this would create enough suction or is there something we could put down to make this work?
You may likely have a problem because suction cups do not like to stick to grout lines.
They wouldn't work on your tile. The cups are larger than your tile. I guess they were made to fit 4" square and larger tile.
I wouldn’t trust suction cups to a job as important as safety! You’re totally right
I gave this a lot of thought and tried to think of a way to make it work. It just wont, you are right to question that because there is nothing more important than safety.
The suction cups are too large for the tiles and the grout lines will compromise the adherence-a gap in the suction. If there were smaller suction cups,, maybe, but that might compromise as well.
Try to find another item that would work for your project.
No, I would not trust them since they are larger than the tiles.
My parents had one of these and it didn’t work well even on 12x12 tiles.
If you decide to buy this, I would make sure it has a warranty, so that you can return it within 30 days.
Hi April, I would never trust a suction cup type safety rail. Even though the one you pictured is engineered with feet to provide a bit more safety, I feel if a person were to lose their balance and grab with their entire weight on the rail it might come away from the wall. The grab bars can be helpful for support and balance but if a person were to depend on them with their entire body weight, they could very well fail. Here's an article that may be of interest and mentions whether the rails are to be used for a temporary issue or a permanent one. Personally, I'd have grab bars installed with screws into the studys of a wall tor my comfort & safety. In the pic you showed, I would think that the supports going to the floor would pose a tripping risk as well.
https://www.intelligenthanddryers.com/blog/suction-grab-rails
I personally think it will not work, have had one of these and it didn't turned out well.
It doesn’t seem it would work. Further, I personally wouldn’t trust suction cups for any safety devices.
Anything suction cup for safety gets a big no vote for me. When my mother fell and had to have safety equipment installed, the therapist who did the home survey told a few horror stories about suction cup equipment. You can get safety rails that have 4 legs and sit over the toilet, that would be my recommendation instead of this.
I had 2 hip surgeries and I had a toilet seat, you can buy rubber replacement bottoms that will help hold it in place and might work better than the suction cups since those don't always suction to all tile surfaces.