Putting up a metal curtain pole

[Poledra]

Well, I've been waiting for nearly 6 weeks for DH to put up the curtain rod in DD1's bedroom, and I'm sick of it. So, I want to know a couple of things about putting up metal curtain rods.

a) Should I even try to do it myself (am a complete novice at this sort of thing) or am I just setting myself up to ruin the newly-decorated walls?

b) I have the brackets and the pole, but no screws to fix the brackets to the wall. How long a screw does one need to use, and are rawlplugs required?

c) How do I tell if there are pipes etc behind where I want to drill (oter tthan making sure I don't drill in a direct line from the central heating pipes/electrical socket etc)?

Thank you very much.

Forlorn, curtain-less little bump.........

Putting up curtain poles are so easy, I have just done these by myself at 8 windows in our new house!

A) yes you should

B)Did the screws not come with the pole? Mine did. But without seeing the pole, i would say the ones I used were 3cm long

c) Eek i didn't even think of this! But I would be v.surprised if anyone would put pipes or wiring above a window, knowing curtain poles would be put there?

Disclaimer: please don't sue me if your house explodes...

a) Yes! Go for it. Guys just like to make out like they're better at DIY, they're not. I don't let dh anywhere near my precious drill!
A curtain pole will be relatively straightforward (as long as the walls aren't really old/there isn't a massive stone lintel over the window...as was the case in a friends house recently. I was exhausted trying to drill into it!)

b) It's annoying screws didn't come with the pole, I'd say the width of the pole plus 2 or 3 cm. And yes to rawl plugs.

c) I have one of those little yellow meter things that you put against the wall and it beeps if there are pipes/wires. Hopefully there shouldn't be any up round windows but I've learnt you really never know what crazy ppl might have done in your house! They're not expensive, think I got mine online but B &Q or somewhere will have them.

You could always use a wooden batten to screw it into if it's easier too.

Normally the screws and plugs that come with the poles are cheap and sub-standard, it makes sense to buy some that are fitted to the surface your fitting to. violethill is absolutely right, I normally use a wooden batten.

Attach this to the wall first then the pole to this. A large pole may have 3 fixing points, so fix the batten with 5 or 6 fixing points to get a good study fitting. Then fix the pole to the wood with suitably sized wood screws.

A local timber yard or builders merchants should have batten thats cheaper than the homebases or b&qs. If you can use one continuous length if you can get it home in one piece.