Dude. It’s been decades since I GUFFAWED. Excellent.

I used these to put grab bars in for my mom. I use them for everything I hung all the shelves in my café with them they hold a ton of weight and are easy to use

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Hilti-3-8-in-HTB-2-Drywall-Anchor-with-Phillips-Slotted-Round-Head-Screws-4-Pack-3588750/305537032

Fool proof stud finder

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If it's a older, say 60's or earlier there is no telling what the stud spacing measurement is. I've put in a lot of grab bars over the years in healthcare facility bathrooms. You should really open up the wall and put in 2x6's between the studs. Grab bars should have zero deflection when a man puts his weight on it.

Sounds like the old lady has already found her stud....through tile.

You go boy ;)...

is there a way to locate wall studs thru tile?
 

I wouldn’t use the window as the tell tale to determine stud spacing as it could have been cut in or relocated at some point.

If it’s a single story, accessing the attic as suggested above is another good option.

All of our top plates are two 2x4’s, so I don’t think looking at them in the attic is going to work.

They make grab bar parts to retrofit in any wall.

What about suction cup grab bars? Unless she’s doing pull ups, they should work.

Until they don't.

Bad idea.

This is easy - pick two spots the correct distance apart to mount the grab bar where you just KNOW there is no way there are studs and drill pilot holes for the hardware. THAT's where the studs will be.

Outside wall? That's easy. Drill all the way through, and use long bolts.....

There should be jack/cripple studs under the window sill framing.

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Terminology not very PC is it?

I just went through this at my mom’s house. I needed to install grab bars in the shower. I don’t have access to the $1,000 stud finder so I tried measuring from the backside of the shower wall but after going around a few corners I was off. I tried some super neodymium magnets but couldn’t get a good read. So I drilled in the grout. Worked out pretty well but now I have some small grout holes to fill.

A couple comments on this job: why aren’t safety grab bars sold in multiples of 16”? Why didn’t I know about these awesome diamond tipped little hole saws for drilling into porcelain tile?

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I have a couple deep sensor stud finders I haven't used for years. The super magnet is faster, more accurate, fits in your pocket and doesn't require batteries

This is how I did these at my Mom's house 2 years ago and they've held up just fine. I added a hand held shower head also, so she could sit in the shower chair and control the shower as well, if she wanted. Got the bars at HD - and I did use the tile cutting drill bit David mentioned.

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This or just use heavy duty anchors. They hold up frameless shower doors all day long. If the shower is floated, just use Redhead or Hilti plastic anchors and you will be fine. If you must, sometimes there maybe an access panel behind the tub (if you are lucky and not a shower) you can see clear across the back. Tile goes up to the top of the wall? If not you can poke a few holes there. Look under the cabinet, find the screw and measure from there if you really think you need to find the stud.

Toggle bolts

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/...L._SL1000_.jpg

You really don't need to find a stud. Go to Lowes and get the Toggler Snap toggle bolts 1/4 ". They hold up to 265 lbs per bolt in just 1/2" drywall. They work amazingly well.
Dave