How to install a towel bar on any surface — no drilling required!

Learning how to install a towel bar is simple with the right guide. This post explains the basic techniques of mounting a towel rack in the bathroom without drilling holes. Whether you’re removing the old towel bar or installing a new one, we won’t leave you hanging!

• How to install a towel bar: Step by step
• How to fix a towel rack
• The right glue for mounting towel racks

How to install a towel bar: Step by step

If you’re installing a new towel bar, look for a model with a non-mechanical mounting system. These types of no-drill towel bars typically come with adhesive strips. The catch here is that the strips can weaken quickly due to the humidity in a bathroom. We recommend using a stronger adhesive for longer life. The last section in this guide will tell you what to look for.

If you’re wondering if installing towel bars on plaster is different from mounting towel bars on tile, don’t worry. The process is the same on both surfaces. Here’s how to proceed.

1. Measure and mark the walls where you want the towel bar to go.
2. Apply a small bead of glue to the back of the towel rack or mounting brackets and press them firmly into place. Do not apply too much adhesive—your product instructions should give you information on the amount you need.
3. Quickly clean up any glue that has seeped out around the edges.
4. Allow the adhesive to cure fully before hanging anything on the bar.

How to fix a towel rack

Towel racks really take a beating! The constant weight of the towels, which can be wet and heavy, eventually causes the screws in the walls to loosen. Whether your bathroom walls are drywall or tile, drilling new holes in them will only add to the damage. We’ve got a better solution!

Here’s how to remove a towel bar from the wall without causing any further damage..

1. Remove the old towel rack, along with any screws that remain in the wall.
2. Fill the holes with the appropriate repair material, such as caulk or putty.
3. Paint over the repair material (if needed).
4. Measure and mark the walls where your new rack will go.
5. Apply glue to the back of the towel rack or its mounting brackets and press the rack firmly into place. Clean up any glue that seeps out before it dries.
6. Allow the adhesive to fully cure before subjecting the bar to weight.

The right glue for mounting towel racks

The surfaces on which you will be installing towel bars play a key role in the adhesive selection process. Not only does your adhesive have to bond to the materials you are using, you also need to make sure it has a premium formula that can withstand the weight of the towel bars themselves and the towels.

If you are working with two non-porous surfaces, like a tile wall and a stainless steel towel rack, reach for Loctite Power Grab Ultimate Construction Adhesive. This all-purpose adhesive packs a powerful punch and adheres to any surface, porous or not. It has zero-second grabbing power and allows you 10 minutes for repositioning.

For smaller jobs, Loctite Power Grab Express Construction Adhesive is a winner. This adhesive is perfect for any application where one surface is porous, such as drywall, wood, plaster, or concrete. It has a low odor, and its 3-ounce squeeze tube is ideal for small applications.

If you are not sure how much adhesive to use, there are products like Loctite Power Grab Ultimate Click & Stick Adhesive dots that dispense the right amount of adhesive each time. This product’s premium formula can bond both porous and non-porous surfaces and withstand considerable weight: two dots can hold 2 pounds instantly and 44 after the full cure time. What more could you want when installing your towel bars?