How To Remove Plastic Anchors From Drywall

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Wall anchors are useful for securing a heavy item, such as a shelf, in drywall. However, they accept prongs that will damage the wall if you try to pull them out, and a collar that will damage the wall if you try to button them through. To safely remove a wall anchor, you demand to remove the collar by either snapping or cut it off. Effort snapping it off the anchor is made of metallic and cutting it off it isn't.

1. 1

   Unscrew the threaded screw. Some anchors accept threaded screws that need to be removed earlier you can achieve the collar. In these cases, utilise a screwdriver to turn the screw counterclockwise until it is loose, and then remove it.^[ane]

   • If the screw has a cantankerous slot on top, remove it with a Phillips-head screwdriver. This is the about common type of spiral used in drywall anchors.

2. 2

   Take hold of the collar with a set of needle-nosed pliers. Use needle-nosed pliers to get underneath the ballast and grip it.^[ii] Catch the edge of the neckband, so pull out and snap it off.^[3]

   • The collar is a small circular slice of metal that holds the ballast in identify, and so that it cannot exist pushed backward, out the other finish of the wall.
   • Be gentle when you adhere the pliers. You don't desire to gouge the drywall. Attempt to avoid touching the drywall with the pliers.
   • If the anchor is tight or stuck, place a flat-head screwdriver or pry bar under the caput of the ballast to ease it out.

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3. 3

   Press the tip of a screwdriver into the hole where the wall ballast is lodged. In one case the ballast has been removed, you tin use a screwdriver to push the anchor out through the other end of the wall. The screwdriver shouldn't exist larger than the diameter of the wall anchor considering you will want to be able to push button information technology through the wall without making the hole bigger. ^[4]

   • You can also utilise a ¹⁄₄  in (0.64 cm) drill bit to drill out the insert.^[five]

4. iv

   Push the ballast through the wall with a screwdriver. The wall anchor should fall into the frame, backside the drywall. You will be left with a small hole to patch.

   • Another option is to place a Phillips-head screwdriver in the ballast. Tap it gently with a hammer. Once it is pushed slightly into the wall, apply articulation chemical compound over it to smoothen out the pigsty.

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1. 1

   Push a single utility razor blade under the collar. The blade should be abrupt and flush with the wall, with the blade facing down. Exercise non push the bract toward the wall, or you could damage the surface of the drywall.^[6]

   • This method works well on plastic anchors, not metal ones.

2. 2

   Saw the collar off the ballast. Rock the razor bract back and forth, to slowly cutting through collar. Once the collar breaks off, discard it.^[7]

3. 3

   Push the anchor through the wall with a spiral commuter. Once the collar has been removed, y'all should be able to push button the anchor through the wall without damaging it. Press a screwdriver into the pigsty where the anchor is held. It should fall out on the other side of the wall.

   • Once the hole is clear yous tin proceed to patch it up, so no i volition ever be able to know the anchor was there.

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1. i

   Utilise drywall compound with a plastic putty knife. Utilize drywall compound to a putty knife and wipe it dorsum and along over the hole. Stop when the pigsty is completely filled with putty.^[8]

   • Using an "x" motion when you apply the putty will help get a smooth and even surface.
   • If the pigsty is larger than ¹⁄_ii  in (ane.three cm), comprehend it get-go with self-adhesive drywall mesh tape, which y'all can buy at a hardware shop. Use the compound over this tape.

2. 2

   Wipe off the excess drywall compound with the putty knife. One time the hole is completely full, shine out the putty. Wipe off excess putty until information technology is flush with the wall.^[9]

3. 3

   Permit the drywall putty to dry. Follow the direction on the package. Typically, you lot will need to let the putty to sit overnight.^[ten]

4. 4

   Sand the surface of the putty. Use medium-grade sandpaper to lightly sand the hole, removing excess putty. Stop when the surface is smooth. Wipe upwardly the dust after you lot end.^[eleven]

5. 5

   Apply paint to the hole. Use lite, feathery strokes and so that the paint blends in well with the rest of the wall. To mask the area where the ballast had been, apply wall newspaper of the same shade as the rest of the wall. Let it to dry overnight.^[12]

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Add New Question

• Question

  Can you lot take anchors out of the wall with pliers?

  

  Ryaan Tuttle is a Habitation Improvement Specialist and the CEO of Best Handyman Boston. With over xv years of experience, Ryaan specializes in home improvement and property maintenance past leveraging technology and adroitness. Ryaan holds his Construction Supervisor and Home Improvement Contractor Licenses. Different most handyman contractors, All-time Handyman Boston is licensed and insured. Boston Magazine and LocalBest.com take named All-time Handyman Boston the Best Handyman in Boston.

  

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  Skillful Answer

  Definitely! Only grip the wall anchor with the pair of pliers and pull information technology out.

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• If you're relocating the anchor near the original anchor, don't pull it out. The new anchor may non concur upwards if information technology is close to a hole. Instead, push information technology in so that it is flush with the wall and plaster over it.

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Things Y'all'll Need

• Utility knife blade
• Needle nosed pliers
• Philips caput screwdriver
• Sandpaper
• Patching chemical compound
• Plastic putty knife
• Wall paint

About This Article

Article Summary Ten

To remove a wall anchor, starting time by removing the threaded screws with a screwdriver. And then, catch the collar, which looks like a circular slice of metal, with a pair of needle-nosed pliers and pull information technology out. Alternatively, if your wall anchor has a plastic collar, button a utility knife under the collar and saw it off. Side by side, push the anchor through the hole in the wall with a screwdriver. For tips on how to repair the drywall later on removing the ballast, keep reading!

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Source: https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Wall-Anchors

Posted by: dawsoncalkich1984.blogspot.com

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