How to remove drywall anchors

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you’ve hung decorations on your walls, only to decide to change your design later? Perhaps you’ve moved into a new place and discovered old drywall anchors from previous tenants. Or maybe you’ve redecorated your space and now need to remove those anchors to fill holes and restore your walls to their original state. No one enjoys the thought of damaging their walls, but removing drywall anchors can feel daunting if you’re unsure how to proceed. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process to ensure your walls look as good as new.

To remove drywall anchors, first, gently pull away the anchor from the wall using a pair of pliers. If the anchor is stubborn, create a slight indentation around it with a utility knife. For plastic anchors, you can typically just twist and pull them out. If you have metal anchors, you may need to push them into the wall before patching the hole. Finally, fill the hole with spackle, smooth it out, and paint over it for a seamless finish.

To remove drywall anchors effectively, start by assessing the type of anchor you’re dealing with. There are different kinds, like plastic expansion anchors, toggle bolts, and threaded anchors. For plastic anchors, take a pair of pliers and grip the anchor lightly; pull it straight out from the wall. If it doesn’t budge, try twisting it slightly while pulling. If the anchor head breaks off, you can push the remaining piece into the wall cavity and patch the hole later.

For toggle bolts, the procedure is different. You will need to unscrew the toggle bolt from the wall. Once it’s removed, the toggle (which is the part inside the wall) will likely fall into the cavity behind, meaning you won’t have to worry about removing it. However, if you need the hole patched, just like with plastic anchors, fill the hole left behind with spackle after tightening the surface.

In cases of other metal anchors, such as threaded types, you may need to use a utility knife to create a small cut around the anchor, allowing for a better grip and easier removal. After you’ve removed the anchor, ensure that the hole is clear of any debris and then fill it with spackle or drywall compound. Once the compound has dried, sand it smooth to blend with the surrounding wall, and finish up by painting over it to match. With these steps, your wall will look flawless, ready for your next home project.