Bathroom hardware I mount
- Towel bars, towel rings and robe hooks set into framing or plaster-rated anchors
- Toilet paper holders, tissue niches and spare-roll stands secured
- Medicine cabinets and mirror cabinets hung over the vanity
- Shower caddies, soap shelves and squeegee hooks on tile
- Old hardware removed, holes in plaster or tile filled and blended
- Matching sets lined up at the same height across the room
Plaster and tile in San Gabriel bathrooms
With 52.3 percent of the city’s homes more than 60 years old, according to the Housing Element preliminary report, many San Gabriel bathrooms still have plaster walls and tile set in a thick mortar bed. Plaster cracks if drilled carelessly, and a mortar bed is hard and deep, so the usual hollow-wall anchors from the hardware box don’t work in either.
For plaster I tape the spot, drill with a sharp masonry bit, and use screws long enough to reach the lath or stud behind. On tile I go slowly, avoid the edges of each piece, and seal every hole so water from the shower can’t get behind it.
How it goes up
Pick the spots together
We tape the outline of each piece on the wall and adjust until the heights look and feel right.
Check what’s behind
I find the stud, the lath or the mortar bed, and choose a fastener that will hold in it.
Mount and seal
Brackets go up level, screws are set firm, and tile holes get sealant.
Tug and tidy
Each piece gets a hard pull, and the old holes are patched before I leave.
When it’s bigger than hardware
Cutting a new recess for a cabinet in a wall with plumbing, or replacing vanities and shower walls, goes to a remodeler. Bars meant to hold a person are a separate job; ask about grab bars.
On the same San Gabriel visit, people also tend to ask about grab bar installation, shelf installation or tub and tile caulking.
What to text
A photo of each wall, a close-up of any holes left by old hardware, and a link or box photo for the new pieces.
Bathroom hardware questions
My towel bar fell off the wall. Can it go back in the same spot?
Usually. I enlarge the old hole for a stronger anchor or move the bracket slightly to catch a stud, then patch what’s left.
Can you drill into old bathroom tile without cracking it?
Yes, with a slow diamond or carbide bit and tape on the surface. I tell you first if a tile is already cracked.
Can you hang a medicine cabinet on plaster?
Yes. Surface-mount cabinets go into the lath or studs behind the plaster.
How much does it cost to install a towel bar?
It depends on the wall and how many pieces. Text a photo for a free estimate before anything is booked.
Should I use a towel bar to steady myself?
No. A towel bar isn’t built for body weight. A grab bar is the right fixture for that.
Can you match my old holes when swapping hardware?
Sometimes; if the new piece doesn’t cover them, I fill and touch up the old holes.
Bathroom tips for San Gabriel homes
- Resealing the tub and tile in an older bathroomHow we remove old caulk and reseal tubs, vintage tile and pedestal sinks in older San Gabriel bathrooms to keep water out of the walls.
- Small updates that make an older home easier for aging parentsSmall changes that make an older San Gabriel home easier for aging parents: lever handles, easier switches, better lighting, a handheld shower and more.
We’re a handyman in San Gabriel for small repairs like this one, with an upfront price by text.
This job sits in our mounting, hanging and assembly group. For other repairs, see the services overview, or start with the repair guide for San Gabriel’s older homes.