Browse Forums Bathrooms and Laundry 1 Nov 04, 2014 12:27 pm I have just purchased a heated towel rail that is hard wired through the floor. We are in mid stage renovations (2nd of 3rd waterproofing has just been done) and the builder has queried extra waterproofing around the screws in the tile for the rail. It looks in the tech specs for the rail that it is simply screwed into the floor tile, but not deep enough to hit/puncture the waterproofing. It seems to both me and the builder that this would not result in adequate strength for the towel rail to withstand constant pulling of towels from the rail. IE We want the rail to be very firmly attached to the floor, perhaps not just through the top layer of tile. Can anyone advise about installation as soon as possible! Thanks. Sally Re: In Floor wired towel rails and waterproofing 2Nov 05, 2014 8:35 am When i drill into floors of the bathrooms i make sure that only go tile depth and know how thick the bed is before the waterproofing. Also once drilled i pump the hole with silicone prior to inserting the plug to screw into. So generally you can only use around a 30mm screw which for what i do is sufficient but guessing from your information that its a free standing type of towel rail you will probably have to run a clip near the top of the rail to the wall to brace from pulling on and taking off towels. Re: In Floor wired towel rails and waterproofing 3Nov 05, 2014 4:29 pm I called the towel company in Melbourne today and they said we should be using longer screws and yes, they will puncture the water proofing. They said other things attached to floors also puncture the water proofing (eg sinks), but it seems to me that if I give consent to puncture the membrane I will be giving up my warranty and the effectiveness of the waterproofing. Nice idea about the clip, but then it ruins the aesthetics of the rail and why I have purchased this style in the first place. UGH! Re: In Floor wired towel rails and waterproofing 4Nov 05, 2014 7:03 pm I can not see how a sink punctures the floor, the plumbers use flanges under the waterproofing and than the pipe slides into them without screws. You may puncture the walls behind the sink but water doesn't sit on the wall like it does under the tiles. There are water proofers who don't even waterproof walls just the floor and 200mm high around floor because the new theory is walls do not need it as the board used in the walls is sufficient for water resistant. The waterproofing on the floor is the most critical thing to make it last long term, i would be hesitant to puncture the floor on purpose. If waterproofing was not that important that you could just randomly put screws through it, than why do they have to be licensed to do the waterproofing and also have to supply compliance certificate ? Ask the guy doing the waterproofing if he will still warrant the waterproofing even know that you are going to puncture it with fixing screws. My answer i guess would be NO, the company that sell you the towel rail will not take any responsibility if in the event something goes wrong. Re: In Floor wired towel rails and waterproofing 5Nov 05, 2014 10:36 pm Thanks again. I know you are right - it makes no sense to puncture the waterproofing, and I'm sure too the warranty would be voided. I just don't know how the towel company sells something that can't be more securely fastened? Ah well. Re: In Floor wired towel rails and waterproofing 6Nov 06, 2014 7:55 am If you are going for a heated towel rail I'd use one that is mounted on the wall not the floor. Even with long screws, with people taking towels off and on the rail I'm sure it would become loose over time. Like a lot of products, they might look good in a brochure ( or on The Block ) but the practical implications may be a lot different. Stewie Re: In Floor wired towel rails and waterproofing 7Nov 06, 2014 9:09 am Thanks, but at this late date I'm going for the floor mount as the wiring is in. Each base flange permits 8 screws so I'm going to take the gamble with shorter screws that don't pierce. I am going to make sure I have extra floor tiling in case it needs to be replaced due to lack of stability. Wish I had asked my initial question much earlier - what we lay people don't know! Thanks for responding. I'll let everyone know in a year or two if it's still standing! Re: In Floor wired towel rails and waterproofing 8Nov 08, 2014 10:58 am Yeah as you've found out, fixing stuff to the floor should be done with shallow screws finishing before the bottom of the bed, as to not penetrate the waterproofing. The ladder should be a fair distance away from any high water seeing areas in the bathroom anyway though??? Therefore the only time a decent amount of water will be hitting it, is overflows/flooding? I've seen a heap of floor mounted hydrotherm heated towel ladders over the years, with shorter screws & silicone to the floor, that haven't been a problem. Quality is like buying oats. If you want good,fresh oats,you'll pay a fair price. However,if you can be satisfied with the oats that have already been through the horse, that comes a little cheaper. Re: In Floor wired towel rails and waterproofing 9Nov 08, 2014 12:38 pm The electrics are well away from water. I'm happy now with the decision (although it's not a ladder but a free standing floor mount, thus without the extra stability of being top and bottom mounted, bottom only). Thanks for your input. Hey There. No problems re jumping in. 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