How to Remove Drywall Anchors

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It ’s a common problem : You want to hang something big on a wall , but the stud in the wall do n’t line up where they ’re needed to safely support the mirror , art , ledge , or other point . Drywall anchors are a handy solution in these cases . Simply drill a hole and slip in an anchor , and its firm grasp on the dry wall provides a warm base for fall heavier point than the wallboard alone could support . However , it ’s that same reliable grip that make it tough to dispatch a drywall anchor when you desire to relocate that large mirror or an enormous family portraiture .

Here ’s how to remove paries anchors and how to patch the hole they provide behind in the drywall .

Woman uses a hammer and screwdriver to recess a drywall anchor into the wall.

Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

Tools & Materials

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Before You Begin

There ’s a general method for deal with anytype of drywall anchorthat we ’ve learned from union drywallers : lay to rest it in the paries . But before you could do that , you first need to identify the type of drywall anchorperson , transfer any screwsto enter the anchor , and then proceed with the method best suit to the particular case of anchor .

Threaded plastic , ego - drilling toggle , or expanding anchors can sometimes be pulled out , while other varieties like molly bolt , on/off switch bolts , wing anchors , and shoulder strap toggle switch anchorperson may need to be pushed through the wall .

How to Remove Drywall Anchors

While sometypes of drywall anchorscan be remove , not all can be easy draw in out . Here are a few types of coarse linchpin you may have in your home , and some effective method for removing them . If you are n’t sure which type of drywall anchor you have or if it ’s not cooperating with the removal method acting , come the gradation below that explain how to labour a drywall anchor through the rampart .

Step 1: Identify the type of drywall anchor.

There are several types of drywall anchorperson that are commonly used to hang up artwork , shelves , televisions , and other weighty items on wallboard . The type of anchor you need to remove will assist you correct the beneficial way to get it out of the paries . absent the item support by the mainstay from the wall and examine the anchors and fastening .

Step 2: Try to remove the drywall anchor.

Use the screw that ’s been enclose into the expansion dry wall anchor to avail allay the formative anchor out of the drywall .

1 . Using a screwdriver or drill , gently back the screw out of the plastic mainstay about ¼ inch .

2 . Grip the exposed screw shot withneedle - nose plyer .

Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

3 . mildly pull the ass and anchor out of the drywall . If there is terrific resistance , hit the fuck entirely , then see instructions to sink the anchor into the wall .

Threaded Drywall Anchors

With a piercing tip and threads , threaded drywall anchor are interchangeable to screws . Here ’s how to hit them from dry wall :

1 . Insert the appropriate screwdriver into the head .

2 . Turn the screw counterclockwise slowly to comfort it out of the wall .

Two blue expansion drywall anchors against a brown background.

Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

3 . If there is opposition , remove the alloy fastener and move on to push the lynchpin through the paries .

Self-Drilling Toggle Drywall Anchors

A heavy - duty selection that can be removed , ego - drilling toggle dry wall anchorshave a on-off switch bar behind the dry wall that expands when install and needs to be close for fit through the opening .

1 . Insert the screwdriver into the head of the screw .

2 . Turn the screw counterclockwise to loosen the screwing and allow the internal toggle bar to shed . ( We determine that tapping on the foreland of the keystone a few times helps the toggle bar collapse , and allows you to pull the anchor out with minimum damage to the drywall . )

Two white threaded drywall anchors against a brown background.

Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

3 . Pull the holdfast through the opening .

4 . If you ca n’t pull the fastener easily through the gap , you may postulate to push it through the dry wall ( see program line below ) .

How to Push a Drywall Anchor Through the Wall

Perhaps the unsubdivided way to dish out with undesirable drywall anchors , or drywall anchors that are too brickly or damage to remove , is to recess them into the paries rather than remove them . Here ’s how to go about it .

1 . transfer any alloy fasteners that are inserted into the dry wall anchor .

2 . Gently tap the head of the lynchpin with a testicle - peen ( or tack ) hammer . Do not use a regular hammer , as it can have more damage to the rampart . Note : If you do n’t have a ball - peen hammer , use a screwdriver that ’s big than the head of the anchor . Just rank it on top of the mainstay , and strike the screwdriver with a hammer .

Two self drilling toggle anchors on a brown background.

Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

3 . Rub your hand across the surface , making sure that the entire question is below the fence in dry wall surface . If not , bug the anchor again .

4 . After the anchor is recess into the surface , move on to repairing the dry wall .

How to Cut Drywall Anchors Out of the Wall

If you ’ve tried the method above for how to transfer metallic element drywall anchors , how to absent wallboard anchor with wing , and how to remove plastic drywall anchors , and the lynchpin is still in the rampart , cutting it out of the paries is a hardheaded , general result . Doing this can ensue in moredrywall damagethat will need to be repaired , but it is a reliable way of bump off dry wall anchors . And , it ’s the same method used to create an opening for an electrical loge in wallboard .

1 . Score the drywall around the keystone head with autility tongue .

3 . Clean up the edges of the hole and pass over away any rubble .

Using a drill to pull a screw a little bit out of a drywall anchor.

Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

4 . thin out a piece of drywall that ’s about 3 column inch wider and retentive than the hole . Score the center of the objet d’art to size , and peel back the paper face to the score line of credit . The paper face will put flat on the wall . Insert the piece and then finish with joint compound or spackling compound , sand smooth , and then paint to match the residual of the wall .

How to Patch Drywall Holes

After you ’ve successfully figured out how to remove drywall linchpin or chosen to adjourn the smattering of fastener out of sight , you ’ll want topatch drywallholes withspackle or drywall compound .

Have you removed drywall anchors from one wall , but need to put some in another ? translate our guide onhow to install wallboard anchor .

Theresa Clement is a ready to hand designer who has been improving homes for more than 20 years . As a mom and remodeler , she has worked with drywall anchors and repaired both intentional and accidental drywall holes . Starting with her study at architecture firms , she has author DIY books and work as a design producer on makeover appearance . She now works with her carpenter husband on individual menage and their home improvement brand , MyFixitUpLife .

Woman uses needle-nose pliers to pull a screw out of a drywall anchor.

Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

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Woman uses needle-nose pliers to pull a screw and expansion anchor out of the wall.