How to fit a Towel Radiator in your Bathroom

You don’t have to compromise on style when it comes to heating your bathroom and adding a bit of extra storage for your towels. A towel radiator is ideal to bring warmth and organisation to one of the most frequented rooms in the house - and it can be an impressive design statement too.

Whether you opt for traditional chrome or striking anthracite, the installation principles are the same. Here’s our guide to choosing and fitting a towel radiator to add the perfect finishing touch to your bathroom project.

Choosing the right radiator for you

There are a whole host of styles and finishes to choose from, whether you prefer a contemporary feel with a sleek modern look or you want to add a period feature to your bathroom with an older style radiator. Your new heated towel radiator offers the potential to add a focal point to your bathroom that will enhance the overall look and feel.

Towel radiators can be electric or plumbed-in – or a combination of the two: dual fuel radiators use the central heating system in the colder months, but can be powered electrically in the summer when the heating is turned off. At Covers, we stock a wide range of products and our team of experts are on hand to help make sure you have everything you need to safely and securely fit your new heated towel radiator in your bathroom.  

 

What you'll need to fit a plumbed-in towel radiator

 

Keep your toolbox handy and before you start check the manufacturer’s guide for your new heated towel radiator, as it may also advise of other tools not listed above.

 

Fitting a towel radiator

To fit a heated towel radiator you will need to be competent at DIY and at least have a brief understanding of how the process will work. The manufacturer's instructions contain most of the information required, but the success will ultimately come down to how confident you feel at the installation, and if you are competent at undertaking this kind of job. And safety is the key to ensure it is fully functional and working efficiently so you fully benefit from a heated towel radiator.

Here, we have listed a few of the most important steps to removing an old radiator and installing your new, heated towel, radiator.

The first, and most important step is to ensure that the water is turned off as well as the boiler to prevent any leakages from happening during the process!

Make sure that the old radiator has been drained from the heating system, and then begin to remove the old fittings to remove the radiator from its connecting pipes. It’s important to move slowly and with due care and attention through this process, as it can be notoriously easy to damage existing bathroom features.

You should place your old radiator out of the way and somewhere safe. Now cap the exposed feed and return pipes as this will prevent any external contaminants from finding their way into the internals.

Remove the packaging from your new radiator. It will come with a protective layering which should be left until the radiator has been installed, to prevent any damage and any nasty scratches.

Positioning the towel rail in the right way is important. Check for clearance - it shouldn’t be too near to doors or any bathroom fittings, it should also be a good distance away from the skirting board. Mark with a pencil the exact position you want it to sit, and use a spirit level to ensure you are fitting your new towel radiator straight!

You are now ready to locate the blanking nuts and screw them into the holes at the top of the rail. Once you’ve done this, do the exact same with the bleed screws. The radiator valves can then be screwed onto the tails of the rail (use PFTE tape here to keep the tails safe during the connection process).

Once the radiator is connected, remove the protective layering and ensure the radiator is safely attached to the wall and your system. You are now ready to enjoy your new towel radiator.

Benefits of a heated towel radiator

Now that you have successfully installed your new heated towel radiator, you get to enjoy the benefits that come with it!

Your beautifully designed, practical radiator will provide additional warmth and comfort to your home, offering a space in your bathroom to warm your towels and to keep them feeling soft and dry. As well as this, a heated towel radiator in your bathroom will dry your towels faster than simply hanging them up, minimising the risk of mould and unpleasant musty smells.


*Please remember: Whilst we’ve provided a simple step-by-step guide on how to fit a heated towel radiator, it’s not a job that just anyone can do. There should be a minimum skill set and understanding. Never undertake this job alone, have another person who is equally competent to help with fitting your new radiator. Make sure you follow any manufacturer’s instructions carefully. It might be worth getting an expert in to undertake the job if you don’t feel confident enough.