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No modern bathroom is complete without a heated towel rail. These contemporary additions can be difficult to main though. The chrome finish does not blend well with the steam of a bathroom and many find rust tends to gather on valves, giving a tired and dated look.
There are ways to prevent this, and also to fix a heated towel rail. We’ve brought together some tips for maintaining a heated towel rail, to ensure you extend the life of your bathroom radiator.
Choose Another Colour
It may sound simple but it can be wise to choose another finish for your towel rail. Chrome, or stainless steel, invariable rusts over time. It’s not the best metal to have in a bathroom. Consider a brass towel rail (that will also kill bacteria) or a towel rail in the traditional white plastic coating.
Paint the Rail
Rust can be treated, but it can also be hidden easily. Simply paint the towel rail using one of the rust-o-leum spray paints for radiators on the market. You can choose from a variety of colours, even silver. It’s often the most inexpensive way to update an old radiator.
Change the Nuts and Bolts
Most heated towel rails and radiators are manufactured to avoid rust. Before you change the whole rail, have a good look and see if it isn’t simply the fixing, the valves or the nuts and bolts that have oxidised in the damp air. These, with a little DIY skill, can often be replaced for pennies, and can improve the overall look dramatically, making your towel rail look like new.
While you are inspecting the nuts and bolts of your rail, check for drips and leaks. Even the smallest constant drip can rust a towel rail over time. If it is dripping, consider changing the valve.
Avoid Damp Towels
This sounds like a silly idea, to avoid damp towels on a heated towel rail. In reality, these rails are made to warm dry towels, not to dry wet ones. Putting wet towels on the rail will accelerate any deterioration and will also give moisture direct contact with the metal, the nuts and the bolts. Instead, use your rail for dry, fluffy towels, that need a little warming.
Use it Regularly
A dormant towel rail will collect condensation. Use yours regularly, whenever you have a bath or shower to keep it in tip top condition. A used towel rail is a happy towel rail.
If you have any more tips on how to fix or maintain a heated towel rail please let us know in the comments below.
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