Towel rail fitting (non-plumbed) in Exeter
Professional towel rail fitting (non-plumbed) services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
0.5 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Towel rail mounted securely to your bathroom wall. Whether it's tiles, plasterboard, or solid walls, it'll be fixed properly with the right fittings.
The Bathroom Essential
Every bathroom needs somewhere to hang towels. A proper wall-mounted rail keeps towels off the floor and actually drying - but only if it's fixed solid enough not to pull out.
💡 Pro tip: Towel rails on tiles need careful drilling - crack a tile and you're replacing it. Professional fitting means no expensive tile damage from DIY disasters.
Why Proper Fixings Matter
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Done Wrong |
|---|---|
| Drilled through tiles without cracking | Cracked tile, water damage risk |
| Fixings rated for towel weight | Pulls out when loaded |
| Level mounting | Wonky, looks cheap |
| Solid feel | Wobbles when you use it |
Common bathroom wall types:
- Ceramic tiles over plasterboard: Need special tile drill bit + cavity fixings behind
- Tiles over solid wall: Tile drill bit + masonry fixings
- Painted plaster: Standard wall plugs work fine
- Plasterboard only: Proper cavity anchors essential
What You Get
🔧 The Process
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Position | Mark mounting points level on wall |
| Drill | Careful drilling through tiles (if tiled) |
| Fix | Secure rail with appropriate fixings for wall type |
📦 You're Left With
- Towel rail mounted solid
- Level and secure
- No cracked tiles
- Ready to use immediately
Pricing Guide
| Number of Rails | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Single rail | 20-30 mins | £60 |
| 2-3 rails | 45 mins | £60 |
| Multiple bathrooms | 1+ hrs | £60-£85 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour). Multiple rails in one visit saves money.
Perfect For...
✅ Ensuite bathrooms - space-saving single rails
✅ Family bathrooms - multiple rails for everyone
✅ Cloakrooms - small space towel storage
✅ New builds - completing the bathroom fittings
Why Choose Us for Towel rail fitting (non-plumbed) in Exeter?
Mounted level and secure
Works on tiles or plaster
Right fixings for wall type
Multiple rails done together
What to Expect
Step 1: Position Check
We agree where the rail will go, mark the mounting points, and check everything's level before drilling.
Step 2: Careful Drilling
If you've got tiles, I drill through them carefully with a proper tile bit - no cracks, no damage. Then into the wall behind with right fixings.
Step 3: Mount Securely
Rail gets fixed with appropriate fittings for your wall type. I test it's solid before finishing - wet towels are heavier than you'd think.
🔧 DIY Tips
Towel rail fitting seems simple, but drilling tiles is where DIY often goes wrong:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Tile drill bit (if mounting on tiles)
- Masonry drill bit (for wall behind)
- Spirit level
- Screwdrivers
- Appropriate fixings for wall type
- Pencil and tape measure
🎯 Drilling tiles without cracking
- Use proper tile/glass drill bit
- Start slowly, don't force it
- Use masking tape over tile first (stops bit wandering)
- Once through tile, swap to masonry bit for wall behind
- Keep drill straight - angling cracks tiles
🔩 Choosing fixings
- Tiles over plasterboard: cavity anchors behind tiles
- Tiles over solid wall: standard wall plugs work
- Just plasterboard: cavity anchors essential
- Heavy heated rails: upgrade to heavy-duty fixings
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Cracking tiles (rushing or wrong drill bit)
- Using basic plugs on plasterboard (pulls out)
- Not checking rail is level
- Drilling into pipes or cables behind tiles
💡 Pro trick: When drilling tiles, put a piece of masking tape over the mark first. Stops the drill bit skating across the glossy tile surface before it bites. Remove tape once you're through the tile.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🏠 Multiple bathrooms? Main bathroom, ensuite, downstairs loo all need rails? Do them together - I'm already there with the tile drill bits and fixings.
Heated towel rails: Electric heated rails mount just like regular rails (I can do those). Plumbed heated rails connected to your heating system need a plumber for the pipework - that's beyond handyman work.
Ring vs rail: Single horizontal rails are simplest. Ring-style rails stick out further from wall. Ladder-style heated rails need more fixings but are brilliant for drying towels.
Exeter's older bathrooms: Those thick solid walls are brilliant for towel rails - rock solid once you're through the plaster and tiles. Much better than modern thin plasterboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you mount towel rails on tiles?
Yes - that's very common in bathrooms. I drill carefully through tiles without cracking them, and use proper tile/masonry fixings. Much safer than trying to drill tiles yourself - one slip and you've cracked an expensive tile.
What about plasterboard bathroom walls?
Towel rails don't weigh much when empty, but a wet bath towel adds surprisingly heavy load. On plasterboard I use proper cavity anchors rated for the weight - not just basic plugs that pull out after a week.
Can you fit heated towel rails?
Non-plumbed heated rails (electric ones) yes - I mount them to the wall. For plumbed heated rails connected to your heating system, you need a plumber for the pipework.
Do I need to buy the rail first?
Yes - you choose the style and finish you want, I fit it properly. Towel rails vary massively in quality and price - get one that matches your bathroom.
How long does fitting take?
Single rail usually 20-30 minutes. If you've got multiple bathrooms or several rails in one bathroom, we can do them all together - much more economical.
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