How to Install a Shower Rod Centered Tub Wall

Tie a small weight such as a bolt or a heavy washer to a piece of string. Stand on a step stool next to the tub. Hold the string in one hand. Rest the weight on the edge of the tub. Place the other end of the string on the ceiling above the tub. Raise the string so it hangs vertically with the weight positioned just outside the rim of the tub. Mark the position of the upper end on the ceiling with a chalk pencil. Repeat to mark the ceiling above the left and right, head and foot of the tub.

Locate the ceiling joists nearest the marks using a stud finder. Mark the positions of the studs with a chalk pencil.

Assemble the rod, according to the manufacturer's directions. Assembling a straight rod typically involves sliding a mounting arm on each end, then snapping on finial caps. Oval, elliptical and rectangular rods typically have three or four mounting arms. The lower ends of the arms slide onto the rod and are movable. The upper ends hang from brackets mounted on the ceiling. After you slide the mounting arms onto the rod pieces, slide or snap the rod pieces together.

Mark the ceiling where you plan to install the mounting brackets. Because the installed arms are movable, there is some flexibility in the bracket placement. Be sure to position the brackets so they are mounted into ceiling joists and support the rod evenly. Place the mounting bracket on the ceiling. Mark the positions of its screw holes on the ceiling by passing the tip of a pencil through each hole. Remove the bracket. Repeat to mark the positions of the screw holes in the remaining brackets.

Drill a pilot hole through each mark. Reposition the first bracket on the ceiling, aligning the screw holes to the pilot holes. Using a drill and driving bit, screw the bracket to the ceiling. Repeat to install remaining brackets. Hang one suspension rod from each mounting bracket to install the rod.