Fit a towel ring to a solid brick or block wall

Fix a towel ring securely to a solid brick or block wall, checking for hidden pipes and cables first.

AB-01Gather your tools and the towel ring kitCheck the towel ring kit for its back plate, screws and wall plugs — most kits include suitable fixings for masonry. Lay a dust sheet under the work area to catch masonry dust. Have a spirit level, tape measure, pencil and masking tape ready.

1 each · Towel ring kit (with back plate and fixings)

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1 each · Spirit level

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1 each · Tape measure

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1 each · Pencil

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1 each · Dust sheet

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AB-02Mark the fixing positionsHold the back plate against the wall at a comfortable height, usually around 900mm from the floor and clear of the basin or bath. Use the spirit level to keep it straight, then mark the screw hole centres with a pencil. If the wall is tiled, stick a strip of masking tape over each mark first — it stops the drill bit skidding on the glaze.

1 roll · Masking tape

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AB-03Check for hidden pipes and cables before you drillCables and pipes can run almost anywhere in a wall, not just in the usual safe zones, so run a detector over each marked spot before drilling. Even with a clear reading, still assume something could be there — detectors miss deep cables, pipes behind metal-backed board, and anything in metal conduit. 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 relevant circuit at the consumer unit before drilling, and turn the water off at the stopcock before cutting into anything that could carry water.

1 each · Cable and pipe detector

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AB-04Drill the fixing holesIf the wall is tiled, start with a tile drill bit on slow speed until you're through the glaze, then swap to a masonry bit for the brick or block behind. Use a 6mm masonry bit for standard plastic wall plugs, drilled to a depth of about 35-40mm — 5mm deeper than the plug length so dust has somewhere to go. Drill straight and steady, easing off if the bit gets hot, and clear dust from the hole as you go.

1 each · Masonry drill bit, 6mm

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1 each · Tile drill bit, 6mm

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AB-05Fit the wall plugsPush a red plastic wall plug into each hole until it sits flush with the wall surface. Tap it gently home with the handle of a screwdriver if it won't go in by hand. Do not force an oversized plug into an undersized hole — redrill slightly larger instead.

1 pack · Wall plugs, 6mm (red)

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AB-06Screw the towel ring to the wallLine up the back plate with the plugged holes and drive in the supplied screws until snug — don't overtighten, as this can crack tiles or split the plug. Fit the towel ring onto the back plate as per the kit instructions. Check it's level and give it a firm tug to confirm it's holding solid.

2 each · Screws (supplied with kit)

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AB-07Clean upVacuum up masonry dust from the floor and windowsill, and wipe any dust off tiles with a damp cloth. Remove the masking tape and dust sheet. Check the fitting once more after a day of use, as fixings can settle slightly.

1 each · Cleaning cloth

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