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How to install bathroom accessories into tiles

A person attaching a towel rail onto fittings attached to a tile wall

Overview

Installing bathroom accessories is a lot easier than you might think. To demonstrate, we'll show you how to install a towel rail into tiles. Once you learn this method, you'll be able to attach many other bathroom accessories. 

Steps

1

Measure and mark positions

Choose a position for your towel rail. Measure the distance between the fixings on the base of the towel rail and transfer these measurements onto the wall.  Measure an equal distance down from the bottom of a tile and mark the measurements to make sure they're even and level.

A person measuring a white tiled wall

2

Tape the marks

Put some tape over the position of the holes and mark them again on the tape. This will help prevent the tiles from cracking when you pre-drill them. 
A person making a mark with a pencil on masking tape on a tile wall

3

Pre-drill the holes

Now drill into the tape, right through the tiles into the wall.
A person drilling into a tile wall marked with masking tape

4

Insert the wall plugs

Remove the tape and insert the wall plugs into your holes. If you need to, use a hammer to gently tap the plugs in.

A person inserting a wall plug into a holes in a tiled wall

5

Remove the plates from your towel rail

Using the Allen key provided, remove the plates from your towel rail.
A person using an Allen key to remove the plates from a towel rail

6

Screw the plates to the wall

Using your drill, screw the plates into the wall plugs so that they're flush with the tiles.

A person attaching towel rail fittings to a tile wall using a cordless drill

7

Check the plates are level

With your tape measure, check that the distance from the plates to the edge of the tiles below them is the same. If not, then you'll need to make adjustments.  This will ensure your towel rail will look straight once it's installed.

A person measuring a white tiled wall

8

Attach the towel rail to the wall

Finally, connect the towel rail to the plates on the wall. Tighten it using the Allen key. Then check that the towel rail is level.
A person attaching a towel rail onto fittings attached to a tile wall

9

Check the levels

Finally, check that the towel rail is straight, using your spirit level. If not, then you will need to make some adjustments.
A person checking a towel rail with a spirit level
Health & Safety

Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.

Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer.