A quick way to spruce up a bathroom is by changing out the wall features. The Home Depot's Scott Krueger and Joe Autry show us the easiest way to install a new towell bar without messing up your drywall.

Installing bath accessories on drywall:

Bath accessories come in a wide range of styles and finishes, but most are installed using the same techniques, especially within a particular brand or collection. This project guide will show you the common techniques for installing a Towel Bar, Toilet Tissue Holder and Towel Ring.

What you will need:

Cordless Drill

Screwdriver

Bath Accessories

When hanging a towel bar, use the template included with the packaging to help you align the mounting plates.

Safety:

-If you are attaching accessories to the side of a cabinet, be sure that screws do not poke through to the inside of the cabinet and damage contents or create a sharp object hazard.

-Many manufacturers now make grab bars and other safety accessories that match the décor of traditional towel bars and toilet paper holders, so look for a matching set that includes these items if you are interested in adding safety features to your bathroom.

Savings:

-If you are removing old fixtures that are still in good condition, consider donating them to charity or recycling the metal components rather than throwing them in the garbage when you remodel a bathroom.

Steps 1-3:

Towel Bar

-Start by selecting your location. Most new towel bars come with a cutout template to help you position the mounting brackets correctly on the wall. If you don't have a template, hold the assembled bar against the wall in the desired location and mark the location of the mounting brackets. Use a carpenter's level or laser level to get the two sides an even height.

-Attach the mounting brackets to the wall using appropriate fasteners - usually screws and drywall anchors.

-Hang the towel bar on the brackets then tighten the set screw at the bottom of each mounting plate.

For more information on installing different bath accessories, click here.

Patching Small Holes in Drywall:

Small holes are defined as those that are less than about 2 inches in diameter. There's no need to make a wallboard patch for these little holes because a repair patch works just great and provides a quick and professional looking repair.

Patching a small hole should take you from one to two hours.

What You'll Need :

Putty knife

Wallboard knife

Joint compound

Sandpaper or sanding sponge

Repair patch

 

Steps 1 - 3

Step One: Inspect the damaged area to see if there are any cracks around the edge of the hole. If there aren't, just fill the hole with joint compound and let it dry. Then sand it until it is smooth.

Step Two: If the edges are cracked, you will need to use a repair patch, which has a metal mesh center for strength, to repair the hole. Just cut or shape the patch to fit the specific repair area.

Step Three:

Cover the patch with joint compound or wallboard compound and let the patched area dry. Smooth the repaired area using a damp sponge to eliminate the dust normally caused by dry sanding. Apply additional coats of compound if necessary, and then smooth the entire area using a wide blade wallboard knife.

For more information on fixing holes in your drywall, click here.