How to Remove Molly Bolts

A molly bolt is a fastener that is used to hang objects on drywall. The fastener of a molly bolt is a sleeve that is placed in the hole of the wall. When a screw is screwed into the sleeve, the teeth (or legs) of the molly bolt expand, and become flush against the backside of the wall. Because a molly bolt is designed to be permanent, removing it intact is very difficult--but if you're not concerned with removing the bolt intact, you have several options that will do the job.

Things You'll Need

• Nail
• Hammer
• Needle nose pliers
• Screwdriver
• Drill

Instructions

Simple Solution

1. Decide if you want to hang an object in the same location as the existing molly bolt.

2. If the spot is not to be reused, place a nail or other small pointed object into the head of the molly bolt.

3. Tap the molly bolt with a hammer until it is no longer flush with the surface of the wall.

4. To reuse the same hole, tap the entire bolt so that it drops out of the other side of the wall.

Second easy method

1. Place needle nose pliers with one point inside the molly bolt, and the other point on the lip on the bolt.

2. Bend the lip of the bolt back and forth until it snaps off.

3. Tap the bolt to until it is no longer flush with the surface of the wall, or it falls completely out. By breaking off the lip, it does not leave as big a hole as when the entire head of the bolt is pushed into the surface of the wall.

Another option

1. Try straightening the teeth (or back of the bolt) by unscrewing the bolt halfway.

2. Snap off the lip of the bolt with pliers.

3. Try pulling the bolt out of the hole with pliers. Although it's unlikely, it's possible the entire bolt will come out of the wall.

One last option

1. Drill into the screw hole with a drill bit.

2. Press firmly with drill until the head of the molly bolt breaks free, and the remainder of the bolt falls behind the wall.

3. If head does not separate from bolt, tap entire bolt through wall as described above.

Tips & Warnings

• If you decide to drill, use a sharp bit that is at least twice the size of the molly bolt's screw.

• Be careful not to leave a big hole in the wall. Take your time no matter what option you choose.

References

• Naturalhandyman.com
• Thisoldhouse.com
• Youtube.com