Putting up a shower riser

[banth]

Hi, we have recently moved to a house which only has a hand held shower attachment and we would like to put up a shower riser rail and a circular shower rail so we can stand up and shower.

Having now obtained a power drill from the other half's dad, I've lost the confidence to actually drill into the wall above the bath taps incase we hit a water pipe and all hell breaks loose. So how would we go about finding out if there are any pipes there without calling out a plumber?

Thanks if you can help!

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[Deenie]

You can get a hand held, battery operated metal detector from most DIY shops. I've got one that can detect electrical wires with one end and gas/water pipes with the other. You just wave it along the wall and it beeps when it gets close to metalwork.

[banth]

I know this is a really daft question, but if I buy one of these pipe/wire/stud detectors and find a stud, do I avoid it or do I drill into it?

I'm not sure what a stud is and I'd like to put the riser up before my boyfriend returns home tomorrow!

Thanks!
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[raysparx]

Hi banth, firstly if it is a stud wall,the studs refered to are the upright pieces of wood behind the plasterboard,so if you can find a stud you screw the screws into it no need to drill,if you can take the bath panel off,you will see which way the pipes connect to the bath,if the pipes are coming up from the floor to the taps it should be safe to put riser rail up without worrying,if pipes come down wall you will need the metal detector,good luck,Ray

Ps, If the wall is brick you will need a masonry bit, number 8 should do,rawlplugs & screws, Drill the hole put the Rawlplug in and screw the screw into rawlplug.