Shower rail installation in Exeter
Professional shower rail installation services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-£85
Typical Duration
0.5-1 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Fitting an adjustable shower rail - everyone in the house can set the shower head to their height. Fixed securely to the wall, slides smoothly.
Shower Height for Everyone
Fixed shower head at one height? Fine if you're exactly that tall. Annoying for everyone else. A riser rail lets you slide the shower head up and down - perfect height every time.
I fit shower rails regularly. Drill through tiles without cracking them, use proper fixings for your wall type, make sure it's level and slides smoothly.
💡 Pro tip: Get a rail with a soap dish or shelf included - costs barely more and gives you somewhere to put your shampoo instead of balancing bottles on the edge of the bath.
What Makes a Good Installation
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Bodged Job |
|---|---|
| Drilled accurately, rails level | Wonky rails, slider catches |
| Right fixings for wall type | Wrong fixings, pulls out later |
| Tiles intact, no cracks | Chipped or cracked tiles |
| Slides smoothly up and down | Stiff slider, poor quality rail |
What You Get
🔧 The Installation
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Mark up | Position rail where you want it, mark drill holes |
| Drill & fix | Drill through tiles carefully, fit proper fixings |
| Attach rail | Fix rail securely, check it's level |
| Test | Slide shower head up and down, check it's smooth |
📦 You're Left With
- Adjustable height shower head
- Securely fixed rail
- Smooth sliding action
- Works with your existing shower
Pricing Guide
| Job Type | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Standard rail on solid wall | 30-45 mins | £60 |
| Through tiles or awkward position | 45-60 mins | £60 |
| Plasterboard or complex installation | 1-1.5 hrs | £60-£85 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Rail not included unless specified.
Perfect For Your Situation If...
✅ Different heights - family members all different sizes
✅ Washing hair - need to move shower head around
✅ Cleaning shower - easier with adjustable head
✅ Replacing broken rail - old one corroded or broken
Why Choose Us for Shower rail installation in Exeter?
Adjustable height for all users
Securely fixed to your wall type
Level installation, smooth sliding
Works with existing shower
What to Expect
Step 1: Position & Mark
Work out where the rail should go (reaching from about waist height to above your head), mark the fixing positions, check it's level.
Step 2: Drill & Fix
Carefully drill through tiles if needed, fit the right wall fixings for your wall type. No cracked tiles, solid fixings.
Step 3: Attach & Test
Fix the rail to the wall, attach your shower head, slide it up and down to check it moves smoothly. Connect hose if needed.
🔧 DIY Tips
This is doable yourself if you're careful, especially on non-tiled walls:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Drill and tile drill bits (if drilling through tiles)
- Spirit level
- Pencil
- Wall plugs appropriate for your wall
- Screwdriver
- Masking tape (to stop drill slipping on tiles)
🚿 Installing a shower rail
- Hold rail against wall at right height
- Mark fixing holes with pencil
- Check it's level with spirit level
- Drill holes (carefully if through tiles)
- Insert wall plugs
- Fix rail brackets to wall
- Clip rail into brackets
- Fit shower head onto slider
- Test sliding action
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Not checking level before drilling (wonky rail)
- Wrong drill bit for tiles (cracks them)
- Weak fixings for wall type (pulls out)
- Drilling into pipes or cables (check first!)
- Over-tightening screws (cracks tiles)
💡 Pro trick: When drilling through tiles, start with the drill on normal (not hammer) mode and let the tile bit do the work without pressing hard. Once through the tile, swap to hammer mode for the wall behind. Also, put a cross of masking tape over where you're drilling - stops the bit skating across the shiny tile surface.
🔩 Wall fixing guide:
- Solid wall/brick: standard wall plugs and screws
- Tiles on solid wall: drill through tile, plug behind
- Plasterboard: heavy-duty plasterboard anchors
- Stud wall: screw into studs if possible
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🏠 Tiled walls: Most shower rails go on tiled walls. I drill through tiles regularly - the trick is the right drill bit, slow speed, and gentle pressure. Your tiles will be fine.
Existing shower head fixed to wall? I can usually reuse the same water connection - just unscrew the fixed head and connect your shower hose to the same outlet. Rail goes on the wall next to it.
Height position: I usually fit rails so the bottom bracket is about waist height and the top is comfortably above head height (even for tall people). This gives you the full range of adjustment you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the advantage of a shower rail over a fixed shower head?
You can adjust the height to suit whoever's using it - kids, adults, tall people, short people. Plus you can move the head around for rinsing, washing hair, cleaning the shower itself. Much more flexible than a fixed head at one height.
Will a shower rail work with my existing shower valve?
Almost certainly yes. The rail just replaces your fixed shower head bracket - it connects to the same hose. As long as you've got a standard shower hose connection, a riser rail will fit fine.
Can you fit a shower rail to tiles without cracking them?
Yes - I drill through tiles all the time. Use a proper tile drill bit, go carefully, and they don't crack. The fixings go through the tile into the wall behind - solid and secure.
Do I need to provide the shower rail?
Either way. If you've already bought one, I'll fit it. If not, I can pick up a decent mid-range rail from the local merchant - they're not expensive and I know which ones are good quality versus cheap rubbish that'll seize up.
How do you fix it to plasterboard walls?
Plasterboard needs special fixings - I use heavy-duty plasterboard anchors or fix into the studs behind if possible. Shower rails don't weigh much, so even on plasterboard they're solid when fixed properly. I check it's secure before I leave.
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