Fit a toothbrush and tumbler holder to a solid brick or block wall

Mark, drill and fix a toothbrush and tumbler holder securely to your bathroom wall in one short session.

TB-01Choose the position and mark it upHold the holder against the wall where you want it, usually 200-300mm above the basin or worktop. Use a spirit level to get it straight, then mark the fixing holes with a pencil through the holder's fixing plate or template. Check the spot clears tile edges, grout lines and any silicone joint where possible.

1 each · Toothbrush and tumbler holder kit

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1 each · Pencil

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1 each · Spirit level (small)

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TB-02Check for cables and pipes before you drillRun a detector over the marked spot, but don't trust it completely — detectors can miss cables that are deep, in metal conduit, or outside the usual safe zones. Find your stopcock (normally under the kitchen sink) and check it turns freely, so you can shut off the water fast if you hit a pipe. If you have any doubt about what's behind the wall, isolate the circuit at the consumer unit before drilling.

1 each · Cable and pipe detector

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TB-03Drill the pilot holesStick a strip of masking tape over each mark to stop the drill bit skidding on the tile glaze. Start with a tile bit on a slow speed to break through the glaze, then switch to a masonry bit sized for your wall plug (usually 6mm) to drill into the brick or block behind. Drill to the depth stated on the plug packet, typically 35-40mm, and stop drilling as soon as you reach that depth.

1 roll · Masking tape

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1 each · Tile drill bit 6mm

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1 each · Masonry drill bit 6mm

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1 each · Dust mask

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TB-04Fit the wall plugsPush a wall plug into each hole until it sits flush with the tile face. If it won't go in by hand, tap it gently with a hammer handle rather than the hammer head, to avoid cracking the tile.

1 pack · Wall plugs 6mm

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TB-05Screw the holder to the wallLine the holder's fixing plate back up over the plugs and drive the screws in by hand or on a slow drill speed. Tighten until the plate sits firm and doesn't wobble, but stop as soon as it's snug — overtightening can crack the tile or crush the grout.

2 each · Screws 30mm

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TB-06Fit the tumbler and toothbrush pieces and testSlot the tumbler holder and toothbrush cup into the fixed plate as per the kit's design. Give the whole thing a firm, steady tug to check it's secure before relying on it.

TB-07Tidy upWipe away tile and masonry dust with a damp sponge, and vacuum any dust off the floor or in the basin. If there's a small gap between the fixing plate and the tile, run a thin bead of bathroom silicone around the edge and leave it to cure for the time stated on the tube before using the holder.

1 each · Sponge or cloth

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1 tube · Bathroom silicone sealant

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