Fit an L-shaped shower curtain rail to a lath and plaster wall

Plan the layout, identify each wall type safely, then fix an L-shaped rail securely across a lath-and-plaster bathroom corner.

SR-01Gather your tools and kitUnpack the L-shaped shower rail and check you have both wall brackets, the corner joint and all screws. Lay everything out on a dust sheet. Get a cordless drill, a mixed bit set (masonry, wood, HSS), a pencil, tape measure and spirit level ready before you start.

1 each · L-shaped shower curtain rail kit

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1 each · Cordless drill

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1 set · Mixed drill bit set (masonry, wood, HSS)

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1 each · Dust sheet

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SR-02Mark the height and bracket positionsHold the rail up at the height you want, usually around 1900-2000mm from the floor, and mark the corner point first. Use a spirit level to run a level line to each end bracket position, then mark the wall through the fixing holes. Double-check both walls are marked at the same height before drilling anything.

1 each · Spirit level (600mm)

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1 each · Pencil

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1 each · Tape measure

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SR-03Work out what each wall is made ofThe main wall is lath and plaster, but the return wall at the corner might be brick, a stud partition, or dot-and-dab. Tap each marked point: a dull thud usually means solid masonry, a hollow sound means a stud wall or dot-and-dab. Old lath and plaster often has a slightly springy, uneven feel compared with flat plasterboard.

SR-04Check for cables and pipes, and find your stopcockRun a cable and pipe detector over every marked point, but don't trust it completely — it can miss cables that are deep, in metal conduit, or behind metal-backed plasterboard, and metal stud frames can confuse cheap detectors further. Before you drill, find your stopcock (usually under the kitchen sink) and check it turns freely, so you can shut the water off fast if you hit a pipe. If there's any doubt, isolate the circuit at the consumer unit before drilling.

RULES

1 each · Cable and pipe detector

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KNOW THE RULES

Bathrooms are a special location under Part P of the Building Regulations. If you damage a cable and need to repair or alter the wiring, that work must meet Part P rules — get a registered electrician to check it.

SR-05Fix into the lath and plaster wallLath and plaster is brittle and sits on thin timber laths with gaps behind. Drill a small pilot hole first — if you hit solid timber quickly, you've found a stud or joist and can use a normal wood screw. If the hole stays open into a void, use a long spring toggle or heavy-duty hollow-wall anchor that spans across the laths, not a plastic wall plug, which will crumble the old plaster.

4 each · Spring toggle fixings (heavy-duty)

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4 each · Wood screws 40mm

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SR-06Fix into solid brick or block (if the return wall is masonry)Drill with a masonry bit sized to match your wall plug, usually 6mm or 7mm, to a depth of about 40-45mm. Blow out the dust, insert the plug fully, then drive the screw in until the bracket sits flush and firm.

4 each · Wall plugs 6mm

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4 each · Screws 50mm

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SR-07Fix into plasterboard on timber studs (if that's what the return wall is)Track along the marked line with a stud detector or by tapping for the solid sound of a stud. A pilot hole bringing out pale timber dust confirms it. Drive a wood screw straight into the centre of the stud — no plug needed.

4 each · Wood screws 45mm

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SR-08Fix into plasterboard on metal studs (if that's what the return wall is)A pilot hole bringing out fine grey swarf instead of timber dust means metal studs. Never use a plain wall plug or wood screw here — it will strip straight through 0.5mm steel. Use a self-drilling metal-stud fixing or a toggle-type hollow-wall anchor rated for the bracket's load. Remember a metal stud alone won't take a heavy pulling force — if the rail feels loose or the bracket flexes, you may need a timber noggin behind the board.

4 each · Self-drilling metal stud fixings

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SR-09Fix into dot-and-dab plasterboard (if that's what the return wall is)Dot-and-dab plasterboard has an air gap behind it before the solid masonry wall starts, often 20-40mm deep. Use a long fixing, typically a 60-75mm hollow-wall anchor or a screw-and-plug combination long enough to bite into the masonry behind, not just the plasterboard.

4 each · Long hollow-wall anchors (65mm)

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SR-10Fit the brackets and assemble the railScrew each bracket to its marked point using the fixing that matches the wall type you found. Slot the rail sections and corner joint together, then clip or screw the rail onto the brackets. Check the whole run with the spirit level and adjust before fully tightening.

SR-11Test the fixings and hang the curtainPull firmly down and outward on each bracket and the corner joint to check nothing moves or flexes. Thread the shower curtain onto the rail and check it hangs clear of the bath or shower tray edge.

SR-12Seal gaps and tidy upIf a bracket sits near tiles or the edge of the plaster, run a thin bead of mould-resistant sealant to stop water getting behind it. Wipe down dust and offcuts, and check the stopcock or consumer unit are back to normal if you isolated them earlier.

1 tube · Mould-resistant sanitary sealant

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1 each · Sealant gun

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