BATHROOMS

Fit a towel rail to a solid brick or block wall

Mark, drill and fit a towel rail safely and securely in one session, checking for hidden pipes and cables first.

TR-01Plan the position and unpack the kitCheck the towel rail box has both brackets, screws, wall plugs and a fixing template. Decide the height and position — most rails sit with the bottom bracket around 1400mm from the floor, but check the manufacturer's instructions for your model. Lay a dust sheet below the work area and clear anything nearby.
1 each · Heated towel rail kit (with brackets and fixings)
1 each · Dust sheet
1 each · Tape measure
1 each · Spirit level
1 each · Pencil
TR-02Mark the fixing holes and check for hazardsHold the template or bracket against the wall, level it, and mark the fixing centres with a pencil. Before you drill, run a detector over the marked spots — but don't trust it completely. Cables and pipes can run almost anywhere, and detectors miss cables that are deep, in metal conduit, or outside the normal safe zones near sockets and switches. Find your stopcock now (usually under the kitchen sink) and check it turns freely, so you can shut the water off fast if you hit a pipe. If you have any doubt at all, isolate the circuit at the consumer unit before drilling.
1 each · Cable and pipe detector
1 roll · Masking tape
TR-03Drill and plug the wallIf the wall is tiled, start each hole with a tile bit at low speed, then switch to a masonry bit once through the glaze. Use a masonry bit matched to your wall plug size — typically 6mm for a red plug or 8mm for a brown plug — and drill to the plug's length plus 5mm. Push the wall plug in flush with the surface; it should sit snugly, not loose or forced.
1 each · Masonry drill bit 6mm
1 each · Tile drill bit 6mm
1 pack · Wall plugs, pack of 10
TR-04Fix the brackets to the wallScrew each bracket into its plugged hole using the screws supplied with the kit. Tighten firmly but don't overtighten, as this can crack a plug or crush plasterboard behind tiles. Check the bracket is level and doesn't rock before moving to the next one.
1 each · Screwdriver or drill driver
TR-05Hang the rail and secure itLift the towel rail onto the fitted brackets and check it sits square. Tighten any locking or set screws underneath the rail to stop it lifting off. Give the rail a firm push and pull test — it should not move, flex or pull away from the wall.
TR-06Tidy up and finishWipe away drilling dust from the wall and floor, and remove the masking tape. If you drilled through tile grout near a shower or bath, run a bead of fresh sanitary sealant around any disturbed grout lines to keep the area watertight. Hang a towel on the rail as a final load test.
1 tube · Sanitary silicone sealant
1 each · Cloth

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