How to Remove a Wall Anchor

Plastic sleeve wall anchor

Wall anchors are a solution for hanging items on a hollow wall. However, you may need to move them after renovating or when you move into a new house or apartment. Wall anchors are not difficult to remove, but the holes they leave behind in the wall will need some patchwork afterward. By carefully removing the anchors, you can prevent the holes from growing too large.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Hammer
• Joint compound (spackle)
• Spackle knife
• Damp sponge
• 120-grit sandpaper
• Primer
• Paint
• High quality paintbrush

Instructions

1. Remove a molly bolt type of wall anchor by simply unscrewing the screw all the way and allowing the molly bolt to fall behind the wall.

2. Remove a plastic sleeve anchor by removing the screw and then placing a Phillips-head screwdriver in the screw hole. Tap the handle of the screwdriver with a hammer and push the plastic wall anchor through the wall until it drops off on the other side.

3. Remove an expandable-type wall anchor by first attempting to straighten the legs. Unscrew the screw about halfway and then tap on the head of the screw with a hammer. Use a pair of pliers to pull the assembly out of the wall. If that doesn't work, remove the screw completely, grip the top of the anchor and, with a twisting motion, pull the top sleeve from the legs. Some anchors will release this way and the expanded portion will fall behind the wall. If neither method works, place a Phillips-head screwdriver into the screw hole and tap the handle of the screwdriver to push the expansion anchor into the wall.

4. Spread a small amount of joint compound, or spackle, over the remaining hole with a spackle knife. Allow it to be slightly higher than the surrounding wall since the compound will shrink as it dries.

5. Wipe with a damp sponge after the joint compound has dried. Apply a second coat of joint compound to fill any bubbles and the depression over the screw hole. Allow to dry.

6. Sand the area gently with 120-grit sandpaper to level the area to the surrounding wall. Sand the area in a circular motion to prevent sanding lines. Wipe off the dust with a slightly damp sponge or cloth.

7. Cover the area with a coat of primer. For a small area, a high-quality paintbrush will do a fine job without leaving brush strokes. Allow the primer to dry.

8. Cover the area with paint that matches the wall color using a high-quality paintbrush.

Tips & Warnings

• Tap the anchors gently to push them into the wall a little at a time to reduce the risk of a large chunk of plaster going behind the wall with the anchor.

References

• This Old House: Removing Wall Anchors
• Natural Handyman: Wall Anchors