How to Repair a Loose Towel Rack on Wall

Repair a loose towel rack and restore its functionality before it damages the wall even further. Towel racks are pertinent bath accessories that frequently get dislodged from drywall and plaster, especially if they're bolted to a space between the studs. Secure a loose towel rack in one of two cost-effective ways, and give your family a place to hang towels besides the bathroom doorknob.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Phillips screwdriver
• Screw gun or power drill
• Needle nose pliers
• Mollies and glue or butterfly anchoring screws
• Hammer

1. Loosen the set screw on the anchor arm of the affected side to release it from the slip-on bracket with a Phillips screwdriver. Lift the anchoring side arm upward to pull it off the bracket. Simply lift the arm to release it on towel racks that do not have set screws holding the arm to the bracket.

2. Remove the two screws holding the bracket to the wall with a Phillips screwdriver or screw gun. Remove any plastic wall anchors, or mollies as they're called, with needle nose pliers.

3. Choose between using larger replacement mollies or butterfly anchor screws to reattach the bracket to the holes in the wall. At least one of the holes will expand from the damage that loosened the towel rack. Butterflies are necessary for holes that have been enlarged to the size of a dime or bigger.

4. Replace old mollies with new ones that are slightly larger than those removed from the wall. Squirt wood glue on the drywall around the hole before inserting the points of replacement mollies. Tap the flat side of each molly with a hammer to set it flush with the outside wall. Set the bracket in place, and replace the holding screws. Let the glue dry overnight with just the bracket on the wall. Reassemble the towel rack, and slip the side arms on the next morning by sliding them onto the bracket flanges from the top with a gentle downward push.

5. Press the spring-loaded wings of a butterfly anchor back against the screw post and hold them. Test the size of the hole in the wall by attempting to insert the screw. Set a slightly larger drill bit on a power drill, and bore the hole wider if needed. Push the butterfly screw through the bracket and into the hole until the wings snap unfolded on the far side of the drywall. Tighten the anchoring screw to hold the bracket firmly against the wall. Put the towel rod into the holder arms, and slip the arms back over the brackets from the top.

Tips & Warnings

• Replacement mollies will preserve plaster or drywall better than butterflies in the event of future damage resulting from weight or impact.

References

• Towel Rack Repair