Handyman & maintenance
Grab Bars, Ramps & Childproofing in the Livingston Area
Grab bars, wheelchair ramps, baby gates and smart locks that make a home safer and easier to get around.
Small changes that keep people safe at home
A fall in the bathroom, steps that have become hard to climb, or a toddler heading for the stairs are all reasons to make a few changes at home. The right modifications help older adults stay independent and keep little ones safe.
Onalaska Builders installs safety and accessibility modifications with our own crews.
We install:
- Grab bars
- Wheelchair and walker ramps
- Baby gates
- Smart locks
Grab bars
Grab bars that actually hold
A grab bar has to support a person's full weight in a slip, so how it is mounted matters more than how it looks.
- Solid attachment. Bars should be anchored into framing or solid backing, not just drywall or tile. Towel bars are not grab bars.
- Placement. Common spots are beside the toilet, inside the shower or tub, and at the shower entry.
- Height and orientation set for the person using them.
- Other rooms. Bars and railings help at steps, entries and hallways too.
Planning a bigger bathroom change, such as a walk-in shower? See bathroom remodeling.
Ramps
Wheelchair and walker ramps
A ramp replaces the steps at an entry so a wheelchair, walker or scooter can get in and out. A good ramp is:
- Gentle enough to use. A common guideline, from the ADA standards, is at least 12 inches of ramp length for every inch of rise. Taller porches need longer ramps, often with a turn or landing.
- Wide enough for the wheelchair or walker, with level landings at the top and bottom.
- Railed and slip-resistant for safety in wet weather.
- Well supported on solid footings so it stays level. See footings.
Many ramps tie into a porch or deck. See decks and patios.
Childproofing
Baby gates and childproofing
- Hardware-mounted gates at the top of stairs. Pressure-mounted gates are not meant for stair tops.
- Gates at the bottom of stairs and across rooms you want to keep off-limits.
- Anchoring tall furniture such as dressers and bookcases to the wall to prevent tipping. See furniture assembly.
Smart locks
Smart locks for easier, safer entry
A smart lock lets you open the door with a code, a phone or a fob instead of a key. That helps when hands are full or grip is weak, lets family members or caregivers in without handing out keys, and is useful for lake houses and rentals where guests come and go.
A smart lock is only as good as the door it is on. If the door sticks or the latch misses, see window and door repair.
We install safety and accessibility modifications within about 35 miles of Onalaska, including Livingston, Point Blank, Coldspring, Shepherd, Groveton, Trinity, Huntsville, Cleveland and Willis. See our full service area.
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Questions
Grab Bars, Ramps & Childproofing questions
Where should grab bars go?
Common spots are beside the toilet, inside the shower or tub and at the shower entry, with height and orientation set for the person using them. Bars must be anchored into framing or solid backing.
How long does a wheelchair ramp need to be?
A common guideline from the ADA standards is at least 12 inches of ramp for every inch of rise. Taller porches need longer ramps, often with a turn or landing.
Can a pressure-mounted baby gate go at the top of the stairs?
No. The top of the stairs needs a hardware-mounted gate that is fastened to the wall or railing.
How do I get an estimate for grab bars or a ramp?
Call (806) 480-0328 or send the estimate form with the town or ZIP code and what you need. For a ramp, mention roughly how many steps it needs to replace.
Get started
Making a home safer?
Tell us who the changes are for and what you need. Send the form or give us a call.