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How to replace a toilet roll holder?

I’m having difficulty installing a new toilet roll holder on our spare toilet in the laundry.

The old toilet roll holder was installed using a gravity toggle, vertically.

Unfortunately the plate to install the new toilet roll holder can only be installed horizontally.

I drilled holes and clearly hit a stud. I used the stud finder and it keeps indicating either electrical wiring or studs.

I then tried two versions of liquid nails but neither held it securely once I attached the entire holder.

I would appreciate any advice as to how I can solve my problem.

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brendawebster44

Oh dear, I am sorry I thought I could help but I don’t think so. I removed my old toilet holder because it was ugly and bought a suction holder from Bunnings. It fell off a few times until I read the instructions but it hasn’t fell off for a year. I better leave this to the experts.

Missskybird

Thank you anyway!

Jason

Let me tag our resident Bunnings D.I.Y. expert in @EricL to assist you this afternoon @Missskybird.

Thanks for your patience,

Jason

Akanksha

Hello @Missskybird,

Many thanks for sharing your question about how to replace a toilet roll holder. I'm sure our resident D.I.Y. expert @EricL would be happy to assist you once he's online later on in the day.

In the meantime, sharing a couple of related resources below that you may find useful:

Akanksha

EricL

Hello @Missskybird

I suggest moving the location of the toilet roll holder just a few centimetres away from the plumbing or electrical services indicated by your stud finder. Looking at the installation manual the mounting plate has two holes for two screws to go into. I recommend using Ramset 6 x 38mm Universal Anchor. This will allow you to install two anchors in the wall side by side. My number one tip is to drill pilot holes for the plugs so that you can install them side by side.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Missskybird

Hi Eric

i have tried that several times hence why I resorted to Liquid nails.

It seems like there is quite a lot of timber and wiring in the walls. The house is over sixty years old so nothing would surprise me.

The metal plate you screw onto the wall will hold the plate but once I try to attach the holder it falls off the wall.

Any other suggestions? It is so frustrating 🤦‍♀️

TedBear

Hi @Missskybird, that's an interesting description, but I am having trouble picturing what's happening for you.

If you have found a wooden stud then you should be able to screw the backing plate securely to the wall at that point using timber screws. The roll holder should then attach to it either by a small screw, usually located out of sight on the lower edge, or else it will be rotated to lock it onto the plate (depends on the brand/model). I guess you'll know which method.

When you say it falls off the wall when you attach the holder do you mean the backing plate and all falls off, or just the roll holder section ?

If it all falls off then the plugs that you are using to hold the backing plate have not spread out and gripped the back of the wall as they should. This could happen if you drill the holes too big. The plugs need to be pushed firmly in and grip the side of the plaster as they go. If you screw directly into the timber stud instead then you won't have that problem.

Missskybird

The whole lot falls off.

I was attempting to attach the backing plate to the wall with liquid nails as I had been drilling into the wall so that I could you the plugs and screws supplied unsuccessfully.

Thank you I will just give wood screws a try.

Also could you let me in on the secret way to screw that tiny little screw into the bottom of the holder? It’s impossible 🤦‍♀️

EricL

Hello @Missskybird

I'll be passing by one of the stores tomorrow, let me double-check the mounting instructions for you. The only other possibility that comes to mind is that your wall might be a brick wall that's been covered over with Gyprock. This means that you'll need to use a masonry drill bit to drill into your wall so that you can mount your toilet roll holder.

Eric

TedBear

I agree tiny screws can challenge patience. If you have a magnet handy find out if the screw is magnetic. If so, attach the magnet to the side of the screwdriver, which should make the screw stay on the tip while you put it in the hole. If it's not magnetic you could try a small bit of bluetack on the screw head and push the driver gently through it such that it holds the screw upright. Once you've got the screw started a bit you can take the bluetack away so that the driver can engage fully into the screw.

EricL

Hello @Missskybird

I'm starting to suspect that there is something behind your plaster wall than just an empty void. I suggest testing another portion of your wall that is just a little bit further away from the original spot you drilled into. I suggest using a hammer and a nail to test the new spot for the toilet roll holder. If when hammering in the nail you hit something behind the wall, gently tap the nail on its head and see if the nail moves deeper. If it does not move, there is the possibility that you have a brick wall behind your plaster wall.

If that's the case you need to use a masonry drill bit to mount your wall anchors. This is a possible reason why when you try to drill into your wall the drill does not go any deeper. But if that's not the case the other scenarios are you have a steel-framed house or the former owner used hardwood to frame the wall making it very difficult to drill into the timber.

I've placed an image below on how to mount the toilet roll holder to the mounting plate. It's important that the plate be positioned correctly when being mounted on the wall. If it's facing the wrong way the grub screw will not engage the plate correctly.

Please keep us updated with your progress, we look forward to seeing your toilet roll holder installed.

Eric

Missskybird

Thank you Eric.

what size wall anchor would you recommend?

EricL

Hello @Missskybird

Once you've determined what's behind your wall you can then use the appropriate drill bit. If it is a hollow wall, I still recommend using the Ramset 6 x 38mm Universal Anchor as it will work with any condition behind your wall.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Missskybird

Thank you.

MitchellMc

Hi @Missskybird,

If you had gravity toggles before, it would appear to be a cavity wall, not masonry. How do you know you hit a timber stud? Did timber shavings come out as you drilled? As @TedBear mentioned, a timber stud is perfect, much better than a hollow cavity. You need to use the screws provided in the kit to screw the mounting plate to the timber stud. You won't need to use the plastic plugs included.

Does your stud finder specifically identify electrical cables? If so, or if there is any chance that there are electrical cables in that area, please do not drill into the wall. Instead, I'd recommend you employ the services of an electrician to determine precisely where the cables are before proceeding.

Mitchell

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