Loose towel rail fix in Exeter
Professional loose towel rail fix services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
0.5-1 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Loose towel rail fixed properly - secured with the right fixings for your wall type so it actually holds heavy wet towels without pulling out again.
Stop It Pulling Out
You hang a wet towel on the rail. It pulls away from the wall. Again. You push it back in, promising yourself you'll fix it properly "later."
Then one day it comes off completely, taking chunks of tile or plaster with it.
Let's fix it before that happens.
💡 Pro tip: Bathroom walls are often dot-and-dab plasterboard over tiles, not solid at all. Standard wall plugs just pull straight through. You need special cavity fixings.
Why It Keeps Failing
| ❌ Wrong Fixings | ✅ Right Fixings |
|---|---|
| Standard plastic plugs | Proper cavity or masonry fixings |
| Screws into plasterboard | Through to solid wall behind |
| Pulls out with first wet towel | Holds securely for years |
| Damages wall more each time | Fixed once, done properly |
What I'll Do
🔧 Proper Fix
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Check wall type | Solid, plasterboard, tiles - need different fixings |
| Assess damage | Can I use same holes or need fresh wall? |
| Right fixings | Cavity anchors, metal toggles, or masonry plugs |
| Secure mounting | Tight against wall, level, solid |
📦 Result
- Rail firmly secured
- Won't pull out
- Holds heavy wet towels
- Wall damage repaired if needed
Typical Pricing
| Job | Time Needed | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Simple re-fix with better plugs | 15-20 mins | £60 |
| Move to fresh wall position | 25-30 mins | £60 |
| Repair wall damage + refit | 45 mins | £60 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour). Includes proper fixings for your wall type.
Get It Sorted If...
✅ Rail loose - wobbles when touched
✅ Pulled out of the wall once already
✅ Tiles damaged where it was fixed
✅ Heavy towels - need it actually secure
Why Choose Us for Loose towel rail fix in Exeter?
Rail secure and solid
Safe for heavy towels
Proper wall fixings
Lasts for years
What to Expect
Step 1: Check The Wall
I'll work out what's behind your wall - solid, cavity, tiles on plasterboard. That determines what fixings I need.
Step 2: Prepare & Fix
Either reuse the holes with better fixings, or move slightly to fresh wall. Fill any damaged areas.
Step 3: Secure Mounting
Fix with proper wall anchors - tight against the wall, level, and actually solid this time.
🔧 DIY Tips
If you're fixing it yourself:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Drill and bits (masonry or tile bit)
- Appropriate wall fixings (see below)
- Spirit level
- Screwdriver
- Filler (if moving it)
Work out your wall type first
- Tap the wall - hollow sound = plasterboard
- Look behind the rail - can you see what's behind tiles?
- Solid wall needs masonry plugs
- Cavity wall needs special cavity fixings
For solid walls (brick/block)
- Use brown wall plugs (not white/red)
- Drill with masonry bit
- Tight fit is crucial
For plasterboard/cavity walls
- Metal cavity anchors (spring toggles)
- Or find the wooden stud to screw into
- Standard plugs will NOT work
For tiled walls over plasterboard (common in bathrooms)
- This is the tricky one
- Drill through tile carefully (tile bit, slow speed)
- Use long screws or toggles to reach solid wall behind
- OR find the studs behind
Repositioning to cover damage
- Fill old holes with tile filler or silicone
- Move rail up/down/sideways 2-3cm
- Fresh wall is stronger anyway
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Using wrong fixings for wall type (they just pull out)
- Not drilling deep enough
- Overtightening (cracks tiles)
- Not checking it's level before tightening
💡 Pro trick: If you've got tiled walls over plasterboard, try to hit the studs behind. They're usually 40-60cm apart - find one and you've got solid fixing.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🛁 Multiple loose fixtures? If the towel rail's loose, check your other bathroom fittings - toilet roll holder, robe hook. They probably need the same treatment.
Tile damage: If the rail pulled out chunks of tile, I can fill small holes. Bigger damage might need the tile replaced, or we can reposition the rail to cover it.
Heated towel rails: These are heavier and often need stronger fixings than regular rails. Let me know if it's heated when you book.
Chrome vs brushed: If I need to move the rail, the old screw holes will show. We might need to fill and paint, or fit decorative caps, or replace the rail if you want it perfect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do towel rails pull away from the wall?
Usually wrong fixings for the wall type, or fixings that have worked loose over time. Heavy wet towels put surprising force on them - cheap plastic plugs aren't up to it.
Can you fix it in the same holes?
Sometimes yes, if I use better plugs. Often I'll move it slightly to fresh wall for a stronger fixing. Depends what's left of the original holes.
What if the tiles are damaged where it pulled out?
Small holes can be filled with white silicone or tile filler. Bigger damage might need a tile replaced, or I can reposition the rail to cover it.
Will it support heavy wet towels after fixing?
Yes - with the right fixings for your wall type, it'll hold properly. That's the whole point of doing it right.
How long does fixing a towel rail take?
Usually 15-30 minutes. Sometimes longer if I need to repair wall damage or move it to a better position.
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