If you have ever tried to use toilet paper without a toilet paper holder or dispenser, you know that you can easily drop the toilet paper roll, and have it bounce all over the place, all while it unravels and gets dirty. You will not want to use use this toilet paper roll once you have seen what has happened to it. Keep your toilet paper sanitary by installing a toilet paper holder.
Ideal Installation Height
Installation height for a toilet paper holder is usually 24 inches to 30 inches from the floor. However, you may have an unusual toilet fixture height that changes the range where you would comfortably reach for the toilet paper. You can determine the height where the toilet paper holder should be mounted on the wall by sitting on the closed toilet seat, and use a pencil to mark the wall area you can comfortably reach.
Tools and Hardware
A measuring tape can determine exact installation height. A stud finder will locate a wall stud to which you can anchor the toilet paper holder to make it secure. A drill will start holes for the molly bolt anchors. Molly bolt anchors are plastic tubes placed in the wall that expand when the mounting plate bolts in them are turned with a screwdriver. A bubble level will ensure that the toilet paper holder is level.
Toilet Paper Holder Parts
There are several different toilet paper holder designs on the market; however, their parts are very similar. The back panel of the toilet paper holder has holes that will slide over the screws or bolts in the molly bolt anchors. The frame or shell of the toilet paper holder snaps into place on the back panel. The tension bar can either be a separate piece or part of the frame, and it holds the toilet paper roll.
Installation Testing
The toilet paper holder will get a lot of use and abuse, so you should check that your installation works and is going to hold up. A back panel or frame that rocks or wiggles is likely to come off the wall after a few hard pulls on the toilet paper. A toilet paper roll that does not spin on the tension bar either has a bent inner roll or is too big for the tension bar.
