How to Install Towel Racks on a Tile Wall

Choose a place on the wall four feet above the floor to attach the towel rack. Set the towel rack or towel rack template against the wall and draw a mark with the tip of a fine-tip marker in the screw holes on each side of the bracket or template. Most towel racks have two holes for screws on each side. Use a level to guarantee the rack or template is straight.

Place two strips of masking tape in an X-shape exactly over the four marker spots drawn on the wall to place the center of the tape over the marker marks. Mark the spots again using the towel bar or template.

Place a one-quarter inch diamond bit into a drill. Place the tip of the bit on one of the marks.

Pull the trigger on the drill slowly to start the bit into the ceramic tile. Once the bit has begun a hole in the tile, you can press the trigger harder to run the drill at a regular speed.

Run the drill bit through the tile and underlayment until the drill is moving back and forth freely. If the tile is over a stud, stop drilling once you hit the wood. The diamond bit will cut the wood without breaking but it is meant for glass and ceramic materials. Remove the drill and diamond bit from the hole carefully to avoid cracking the tile.

Remove the tape from the tiles.

Place plastic anchors in the holes and hit them with a rubber mallet until the anchors are flat with the tiles.

Place the towel rack brackets over the anchors and drill the screws into the brackets.