No, probably not glued down. There usually are small "set screws", hidden from view, on the sides or bottoms of the bracket holders. So take another look. You'll need either a small screwdriver or allen key, depending on what's there.

thanks k2....

I looked and I don't see any screws. The brackets are a ceramic type material and they seem like they are flush with the wall as if glued. Should I try to pry it off?

thanks!

Hi Njoy,

Well I guess I steered you wrong there--I (for some reason) assumed the typical metal brackets.

If they look like solid ceramic and they're embedded in a tile wall, these could well have been put down with mastic at the same time as the tile. So if you get them out of there, you could have a bit of a chore on your hands regarding the gaping holes. I would probably think twice before doing that.

Now some ceramic brackets are more decorative--and as such ARE connected to metal brackets. I'm beginning to think you don't have these--but you can tell by looking underneath the brackets and seeing if there are formed metal pieces beneath. If it's these, it's easy--as you probably only have to lift them upwards to free them from the brackets.

So, at this point can you tell which it is and get back to us?

Thanks njoy,
-k2 in Colorado

thanks for your input k2!

I think this is a project I am going to bypass. The ceramic base of the towel bar is glued to the wall (not tiled wall). I'm not handy with fixing a gaping hole in the drywall. So at this point I think I will have to settle for decorative towels!

Thanks again.

Hi njoy,

I think there's a lot to be said for decorator towels. It's amazing how much my wife dressed up a 'bland' bathroom using a fancy shower curtain!

As for the towel racks, at least yours aren't likely to come loose. Some of the brackets on a lot of new ones are really rinky dink. They can also be a surprising nuisance to put up.

So I think you made the right choice!

Beware....I have the same kind of towel bar and decided it had to go...it was glued to the wall, not tile. I pulled it off and had two huge gaping holes in the drywall. My husband decided the easiest thing to do would be to reglue it back on...so now I am stuck with it!

I have the same problem, but I found a site that has spring loaded towel bars:

http://www.eclectic-ware.com/Eclectic-ware/Lenape/Re-Place-A-Bar/re-place-a-bar.html