How does one patch a wall to hang a towel rack?

Question

I tried plaster patch but it's too soft to hold the rack, should I use a more solid patch, such as floor or move the rack altogether?

Answer 1

Finding a stud to anchor to would be the best approach.
If you have a hole in the wall to begin with...try placing a wood shim behind the drywall to give the screws something to anchor to.
Ive done this before by using a 3/8" thick slice of lumber, about 1 1/2" wide, and whatever length you can get into the wall conveniently... for my applications, this was about 4".
I drill a small hole in the middle of the wood, and knot a piece of string thru/around the wood. You can try applying some hot melt to the wood before slipping it in place for an instant hold... or use a heavy construction adhesive (easier to work with, longer 'open' time on the glue, giving you extra time to get the piece of wood in place where you want it. Then, use the string to pull the wood tight against the back side of the drywall. If you are using a construction adhesive, then you can anchor the string, by tieing it another piece of wood, or something else. (This method of providing a 'backer' or support behind a piece of drywall is also handy to repair large holes in drywall.)
After the adhesive has set (whichever type you used, just read the label), mark the location of the wood behind the drywall in pencil, so you can find it easily when you get ready to anchor the rack, and patch the hole.
This is involved a bit, and takes a little work, but it does give you a very strong hold.

For the STRONGEST hold.... remove a section of the drywall, where you want to place the rack.... say 4" to 6" high, and go from stud to stud. Cut a 2"x4" to fit between the studs, and toe screw it in place - just make sure you set it back far enough to be flush with the BACK side of the drywall, so that when you replace the drywall, the wall surface is flush. If you were careful with the original drywall removal, you can most likely use that same piece to patch the hole. A little glue on the backside of the drywall, will help it stick to the 2x4 youve put in the wall... follow it up with standard drywall repair, paint, and youre all set. This gives the strongest possible hold for the rack. (Ive also used this method to help anchor safety bars to walls, where there wasnt enough support)

Good Luck

Answer 2

A towel rack needs to be secured to the wall into the studding behind the Sheetrock. Even a wet towel will rip screws out of the wall if only secured into the Sheetrock. If you don't want to tear a big hole in your wall and place some wood supports inside to screw the towel rack on....you can do it from the outside by getting a 1x 8, cut to the length to nail or screw into the studding behind the Sheetrock. You might want to paint it or varnish it before you attach it to the wall. Then you can screw or nail the towel rack to the 1 x 8. The 1 x 8 being secured to the studding should support your towel rack, just fine.

Answer 3

Towel racks take a lot of abuse, especially if children are involved. I would try to find at least one stud to secure it to.