Fit a toothbrush and tumbler holder to a dot-and-dab plasterboard wall

A quick bathroom job: mount a toothbrush and tumbler holder securely, checking what's behind the tiles first for a lasting fix.

TB-01Get set up and make safety checksFind your stopcock, usually under the kitchen sink, and make sure it turns freely before you start, so you can shut the water off fast if you hit a pipe. Gather your tools: detector, drill, spirit level, pencil and masking tape. If you have any doubt about what's behind the tiles, isolate the bathroom lighting or shaver socket circuit at the consumer unit before drilling.

1 each · Cordless drill

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1 each · Cable, pipe and stud detector

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TB-02Work out what's behind the tilesBathroom walls are often dot-and-dab plasterboard on masonry, but they can also be solid brick or block, timber studs, metal studs, or old lath and plaster. Run a detector over the area, then tap along the wall: a hollow, springy sound over a wide area usually means dot-and-dab or a stud wall, while a dead, solid sound means brick or block. Drill a small 2mm test hole in a spot that will be hidden by the holder; timber dust means a timber stud, fine grey swarf means a metal stud, and an air gap followed by hard, gritty material means dot-and-dab over masonry.

TB-03Mark and level the fixing holesHold the holder against the wall at a comfortable height, roughly 1000-1200mm from the floor, and mark the screw positions with a pencil. Check it's level using a spirit level before you commit to drilling. Stick a strip of masking tape over each mark to stop the drill bit skidding on the tile glaze.

1 each · Spirit level

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1 each · Pencil

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1 roll · Masking tape

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TB-04Drill through the tile and into the wallEven after using a detector, treat the wall as if a cable or pipe is behind it: detectors miss cables in conduit, behind metal-backed board, or run outside the usual safe zones. Start with a tile bit on slow speed to get through the glaze without cracking it, then switch to a masonry bit for the wall behind. On dot-and-dab, drill one hole slightly deeper first to feel for the void and check how far it is to the masonry dabs before drilling the rest.

1 each · Tile drill bit (tungsten carbide tip)

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1 each · Masonry drill bit, 6mm

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TB-05Pick the right fixing for your wallA light holder like this only needs a self-drilling plasterboard (cavity) fixing on dot-and-dab; it grips the board itself, so you don't need to hit the dabs behind. If your test hole shows solid brick or block straight away, use a 6mm plastic wall plug in a hole about 35-40mm deep, then a screw. For a timber stud, drive a wood screw into the centre of the stud with no plug. For a metal stud, use a self-drilling metal-stud fixing or steel toggle, never a plastic plug or ordinary wood screw, which strips straight through 0.5mm steel. Lath and plaster is fragile, so use a longer toggle fixing that spreads the load across several laths. A toothbrush holder is light enough for any of these; heavier fittings like a wall-hung basin need a noggin or a fixing through to the masonry instead.

1 pack · Self-drilling plasterboard cavity fixings (pack of 4)

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1 pack · Plastic wall plugs, 6mm (pack)

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1 pack · Metal-stud self-drilling fixings (pack)

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TB-06Fit the fixings and mount the holderPush or screw each fixing into its hole following the pack instructions. Hold the holder in place and drive the screws through into the fixings until snug, checking with the spirit level as you go. Don't overtighten; plasterboard fixings can spin out if you force them.

1 each · Toothbrush and tumbler holder (with screws)

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TB-07Seal around the edgeRun a thin bead of bathroom silicone sealant around the base of the holder where it meets the tile. Smooth it with a wet finger or sealant tool for a neat, water-tight finish.

1 tube · Bathroom silicone sealant

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TB-08Clean up and check your workWipe away dust and any excess sealant with a damp cloth. Leave the sealant to cure for the time stated on the tube, usually 24 hours, before getting it wet, then give the holder a gentle tug to make sure it's secure.

1 each · Cloth

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