At what height should a heated towel rail be installed in a bathroom?
The importance of a water heated towel rail in the bathroom cannot be underestimated - it not only performs the task of drying clothes, but also reduces the humidity in the room.
This reduces moisture condensation and the risk of harmful mold and mildew forming on walls, floors and ceilings. When choosing a coil, attention is paid to its design and shape. But do not forget that the location must be thought out in advance. The optimal installation height for a heated towel rail is 120 cm . But you should remember a number of additional conditions!
Correctly chosen height by the developer at the stage of installing plumbing will allow apartment owners to enjoy the convenience and comfort of the equipment. What problems can arise from ignoring recommendations - read on!
Installation according to SNiP
Standards have been developed that take into account the correct arrangement of elements in the bathroom.
The mounting height of the heated towel rail (with or without a shelf) is clearly indicated in SNiP 2.04.01-85 (internal sanitary systems): the distance from the bottom of the M-shaped device to the floor must be at least 90 cm, U-shaped ones are installed at least 120 cm from the floor .
Check out the full list of rules:
Additional installation rules must also be taken into account:
- We recommend installing an electric heated towel rail above the washing machine. Be prepared that this will require moving the machine or sink. But this will allow you to get comfortable and convenient operating conditions.
- If you have a front-loading washing machine (loading laundry from above), the lid should not rest against the coil when opened.
- The edge of the rosette or reflectors should not interfere with decorative panels or decorative elements of the room.
- The height and width of installation of the dryer on the wall must be such that it is at least 60 cm from the sink, bathtub, shower or other equipment.
Four simple rules ensure complete safety and long-term operation of the equipment. Additional graphic information:
At what height are they usually hung: distance from the floor according to SNIP
The dryer is installed in accordance with the established SNIP rules. The installation height is fixed. The distance from the device to the floor is at least 120 cm .
- It is recommended to install the product above the washing machine.
- The device is placed so that the distance to the sink, bathtub and shower is about 60 cm .
The location of the outlet and equipment is at least 70 cm from plumbing fixtures and pipes . Power is supplied to the bottom mount, where the switch is located. Installation is carried out through hidden communications . To do this, they trench the walls, installing the cable in the resulting tunnels.
Photo 1. An example of an installed heated towel rail in a bathroom. All accommodation standards have been met.
If you can’t follow the recommendations of SNIP, follow the rules:
- The M-shaped device is fixed at a height of 90 cm from the floor, and the U-shaped device is fixed at least 110 cm from the floor.
- Average mounting height - 95-170 cm.
- When installing the product in the form of a ladder, take into account the location of the top crossbar .
Additional installation options
Even with every desire, it is not always possible to take into account the standards and requirements of SNiP in design projects. This may also be due to the presence of a multi-level floor in a small room. We advise you to follow simple rules:
- The location of the dryer in the bathroom is from 95 to 170 cm . You need to choose a distance to the floor so that an adult can comfortably use the device.
- When installing a ladder coil, a person must reach its top rung.
- M-shaped coils are attached at least 90 cm, U-shaped coils at least 110 cm.
These simple rules will help you carry out installation work with your own hands in the shortest possible time.
Heated towel rail installation height
Special requirements apply to the installation height of the heated towel rail. They take into account the optimal heat transfer of the heater and ease of use. The installation height of the heated towel rail according to SNiP is 120 centimeters from the floor level. In addition, the regulations require that the washing machine be installed under a heater. At the same time, a top-loading machine should not touch the pipes. The collapsible unit is located at least 60 centimeters from it.
It happens that the installation height of a heated towel rail cannot be maintained for various reasons. Therefore, there are general recommendations for installing equipment. They allow you to install the structure no lower than 95 centimeters from the floor level and no higher than 170 to provide convenient access to the upper part. How to properly install the equipment is shown in the video
When independently connecting a heater to a hot water or heating system, you need to carefully study the regulatory documents, watch the installation video course and familiarize yourself with the installation diagrams in the pictures. Particular attention should be paid to the installation height of the heated towel rail according to SNiPs
Types of heated towel rails
Equipment installed in the bathroom serves to dry towels and create the required temperature. It also prevents the formation of mold and the appearance of foreign odors and is called a heated towel rail. A very important unit that must create normal humidity in a damp room. Standard equipment is designed for an area of 5 square meters. Correct installation of a heated towel rail creates the necessary microclimate. The installation of this equipment is discussed in this article. Larger bathrooms use a different type of heater.
The rules for installing a heated towel rail prescribe the installation standards for this plumbing unit. There is a scheme for connecting hot water to the system. Another will be the piping when turning on the heating system. Electric heaters are used that are not connected to water systems and operate autonomously.
Heated towel rails are installed in accordance with SNiP 2.04.01.85, and the receiver is connected to the hot water supply system. The equipment installation instructions reflect all the norms and rules for installing a heated towel rail according to SNiPs. Compliance with this law by installers eliminates accidents at a dangerous hot water unit.
Location options
When apartment residents make renovations, the question often arises: where to hang a heated towel rail in the bathroom. It is impossible to answer it unequivocally; everyone chooses a comfortable position for themselves.
If you install a water version of the device into a heating or water supply system, you need to focus on the pipes. Usually they are located opposite each other. Most often, a bathtub and sink are located next to the water supply pipes. Hanging a towel rail over them is not very convenient, but some people do it.
If you have to connect a water dryer to heating pipes, then this is usually done opposite the bathtub. The most convenient location for towels is above the washing machine. This is exactly how it is located in most modern apartments.
One of the worst placement options would be to install the device above the toilet in a combined bathroom. The disadvantage is obvious: careless movement can cause towels to slip into the toilet.
Another bad place would be the space above the bathroom. Splashes of water will fly onto the towels, and the structure will not be able to fully perform its functions.
When choosing an installation scheme for a water heated towel rail, in addition to convenience, it is necessary to take into account the water pressure in the system. If you take it far from the riser, the pressure may not be enough, then the structure will not heat up.
Heated towel rail placement options
The heated towel rail is placed taking into account 2 factors. It must work fully, especially for devices connected to the heating system or hot water supply. The second requirement is convenient access to the top rail of the dryer. Special conditions apply to electrical devices connected to an outlet. The connection point must be in a safe place at a distance of at least 60 cm from the bathtub or sink.
The water device is tied to the pipes next to which it is placed. If space is limited, you may find that you need to install a heated towel rail above the bathtub or sink. It is inconvenient to use, but sometimes you have to use this option. Water splashes on the towel and the bath makes it difficult to reach it.
The most convenient place is above the washing machine, regardless of the type of equipment. Consider the location of the mirror and furniture for storing towels so that they are located close to the unit. It is not recommended to choose a wall above the toilet - just an awkward movement and the towel will end up in the plumbing.
The water device is inserted in such a way that hot water is supplied through the upper pipe, and the outlet is located below. With this connection method, the towel is placed in a convenient place at any distance from the riser. Other insertion methods are possible, but in order for the coil to work, installation rules must be followed.
At what height should you hang a heated towel rail?
There are certain SNiP requirements that dictate the rules for installing equipment. According to the standards, the ladder or coil must be placed at a distance of 120 cm from the floor.
A heated towel rail for a bathroom should be mounted with an indentation from nearby objects - a bathtub, shower stall or sink. The ladder can be installed above the washing machine, provided that the machine is not a vertical loading type. This is due to the fact that the opening cover should not come into contact with the lower segment of the coil.
Since modern heated towel rails are manufactured based on convenience and safety, with a variety of parameters and shapes, the requirements have become less stringent.
If the coil is intended not only for drying, but also provides heating of the room, experts recommend placing it below standard standards, but not exceeding the limit of 90 cm, so that warm air is distributed evenly over the entire area. This also matters if the bathroom is low and the heated towel rail is large.
Installation and height recommendations:
- The distance from the floor should be 90-170 cm, depending on the shape. It must be placed so that a person can easily reach the top crossbar.
- The coil is mounted in increments of at least 120 cm, the ladder - 90 cm.
- Regardless of the design, the distance from the plumbing fixtures is maintained at 60 cm.
Installation rules
Installation of a coil involves inserting a supply pipe into a hot water supply or heating system.
Tools you will need for the job:
- minus screwdrivers;
- pliers;
- mounting bracket;
- pipe cutter and polypropylene pipes;
- fitting;
- Ball Valves.
The most rational way is to tap into the hot water supply system , since hot water is available in our houses and apartments all year round. Installation can be divided into several required steps:
- dismantling the old coil;
- pipe welding;
- installation of two taps;
- jumper installation;
- fixing the ball valve to the bypass.
Pay attention to the last point : its implementation makes it possible to adjust the operation of the heated towel rail, regardless of how far from the floor or above the washing machine it will be fixed.
Before starting installation work, it is mandatory to write an application to the housing office (ZhES) in order to agree on the date and time of shutting off the water in the riser.
Depending on the chosen installation option, connecting pipes made of different materials can be used :
- Copper is a rather expensive and complex option that requires the use of special equipment for soldering.
- Polypropylene is the most popular and affordable option due to its cost. It has high stability and durability.
- Metal-plastic - a budget option. For fixation, a crimping method is used, so the material may not be resistant to pressure changes in the heating system.
We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the visual video instructions:
Where to hang a heated towel rail?
Maintaining the height from the floor is not as important as other requirements. Therefore, there are not many accommodation options left. If the heated towel rail in the bathroom is embedded in the heating or hot water supply system, then you need to move 30-50 cm away from the riser. At the same time, it will not be possible to extend the connecting pipes too far. It is also impossible to press the device against the adjacent wall; leave 20-35 cm. Also, the rules for installing a heated towel rail do not allow plumbing fixtures to be located closer than 60 cm from it. It is recommended to use seamless pipes for connections to avoid leaks. The distance from the middle of the pipe to the wall is 35-55 mm. After installation, a test run is performed to check the tightness of the system.
Electric heated towel rails make things a little easier in the bathroom. The height requirements remain the same, but the location can be anything, there is no connection to the hot water riser. Grounding is mandatory, without it there will be a risk of electric shock. You also need to pay attention to the location of the outlet for the heated towel rail. It should be at a height of 60 cm from the floor, but the higher the better. In the event of a leak, this will protect against a short circuit. The product should not block the socket so that when turning on the hair dryer, do not touch the damp cloth.
After all the marking work is completed, see how convenient the chosen location will be. You should be able to reach the heated towel rail from the bathtub or shower without any problems. In this case, splashes of water should not fall on the device; neither the metal nor the drying items need excess moisture. It is permissible to place a heated towel rail above the bathtub, but it must be at least 60 cm away from it. This is not the most practical option, so it is only permissible in a very cramped room.
Is it possible to hang a heated towel rail above a washing machine?
In small rooms, every centimeter counts, so sometimes it is necessary to install the device above the washing machine; there is simply no other place. This arrangement of the heated towel rail may be unsafe. Therefore, you need to retreat at least 60 cm from the surface of the device. Otherwise, there will be a risk of fire due to overheating. But even if a fire does not happen, prolonged exposure to high temperatures (60 degrees and above) will negatively affect the operation of the machine. This is especially true for front-loading devices, the open lid of which will touch the heated towel rail. Also, drying things will create increased humidity, which will lead to corrosion of the machine.
The Praktika online store offers electric and water heated towel rails from trusted manufacturers. The range includes models for small and spacious bathrooms. Request a call back to get advice from a manager and discuss delivery conditions in St. Petersburg or the Leningrad region.
Features of installation of heated towel rails
The main parameter of a heated towel rail is its size. The heating capacity of the room and the number of towels placed on the product depend on it.
The size of the heated towel rail is selected based on the area of the bathroom. A large heated towel rail will not fit in a small room; a small one will not make sense in a spacious one. However, even an ideally selected heated towel rail size has placement features related to the type of connection.
Water heated towel rail
The functioning of a water heated towel rail depends on the central water supply or heating system. The height and type of connection of the heated towel rail must be calculated based on the location of the main communications.