In addition to adding a touch of luxury to any bathroom, heated towel rails may also be used to dry wet towels, swimwear, and clothing. Electric towel rails may either be hard-wired into your electrical system or connected into the wall and are often simple to install by anchoring the rail to the wall with its support anchors. Hydronic towel rails must be linked to the existing radiator lines with copper tubing since they operate off of your hot water supply similarly to a radiator.

1. Locate a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter outlet in your area.

Simply said, a GFCI outlet is one that will cut off if electricity flows via a route that is not intended, such through water. Although it’s probable that any outlet in a bathroom is a GFCI outlet, it’s a good idea to test it using a circuit tester, which is available at most big-box hardware stores.

• When testing an outlet, plug anything in that will demonstrate clearly whether it is conducting electricity, such as a nightlight or a radio. Push the tester’s button after plugging the tester into the same outlet. The outlet needs to halt power flow. To restart the outlet, press the reset button on the device.

• Instead, you must locate the electrical junction box if you are hard-wiring the towel rail directly into your electrical system. One might need to be installed.

2. Locate a spot where your rail can be screwed into studs.

If your rail cannot stand alone, it should preferably be fastened to the wall using screws that are driven into studs. Use a stud-finder or a tiny nail or screw to check for studs. Staples are frequently located close to windows, doorways, and outlets.

• Toggle bolts, which feature metal “wings” that spring open to hold the bolt in place while the bolt is in position, can also be used to attach your rail if you are unable to locate any studs in the desired spot.

3. Define the location of your support anchors on the wall.

When a towel rail is not free-standing, it usually fastens to the wall at two locations known as the support anchors. The support anchors might be independent components that the rail slides or snaps into, or they could be linked to the rail. To sketch around the support anchors where they meet the wall, have someone hold them up against the wall where you intend to connect them.

• Before you mark where your anchors are, make sure they are all positioned at the same height by using a tape measure or level. Your rail will be uneven if you don’t.

4. Make holes in the middle of each location where support anchors will be placed.

By making an X in the pattern of the support anchor you sketched on the wall, you can locate the center. You should drill the hole in the center of the X.

• Use a bit big enough to create a hole for the toggle to fit through if you’re using toggle bolts. When you drive toggle bolts through the hole, their collapsible metal “wings” on one end spring open on the opposite side of the wall.

5. Using the support anchors, hang the towel rail.

• Utilizing the holes you bored in the wall, fasten the support anchors. You might need to connect the support anchors first, then slide or snap the rail into position, or you might be able to install the rail as a single piece. To find out how to install yours, refer to the directions on the rail installation kit.