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Q. I installed a new towel bar last weekend, carefully following the directions and using the hardware that came with it. The towel bar has already pulled loose from the wall and I swear nobody hung from it. What did I do wrong?
A. I’m afraid your only mistake was using the hardware that came with the towel bar. Throw out the plastic anchors that came with it and use the toggle type shown in the photos at right. The supplied anchors only grab the edges of the drilled hole. This toggle anchor opens wings up behind the drywall.
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Mark the locationof the mounting plate screw holes on the wall. Drill a 5/16-in. hole completely through the drywall. If you hit a stud, then forego the anchor and drive the screw into the wood.
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Squeeze the wings of the anchor together and push it into the hole until the face of the anchor is flush with the drywall. A light tap with a hammer may be necessary to make it flush.
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Push a medium-size nail(8d) through the anchor hole to open up the wings behind the drywall. A firm push may be required. You should feel the wings pop open.
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Drive the screws snugto secure the mounting plate. Use a hand screwdriver to prevent over-tightening and loosening the anchors.
1. DRILL 5/16'' HOLE
2. PUSH TOGGLE INTO HOLE
3. PUSH WINGS OPEN WITH A NAIL
4. DRIVE AND HAND-TIGHTEN SCREWS
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