Removing wall plugs: The quick & easy way
Wall plugs are designed to sit firmly in the wall – that's what they're for. But how do you get them out again without causing damage? We'll explain the best methods for removing wall plugs and share a few tricks from the toolbox.
It's all about the wall plug
Grab the pliers, give it a pull, and hope for the best? Depending on the type, wall plugs are anchored in the wall in different ways. If you use the wrong method to remove a wall plug, you could end up with cracks in the wall. That's why you should first check what kind of wall plug you're dealing with:
Typ | Erkennungsmerkmal | Typisch für |
|---|---|---|
Allzweck- / Universaldübe | Typischer Dübel, meist aus Kunststoff | Leichte Aufhängungen (Bilder etc.), alle Wandtypen |
Gips- / Dämmstoffdübel | Selbstschneidende Dübel mit breitem Außengewinde, meist aus Kunststoff | Gips- und Dämmstoffflächen, insbesondere an Fassaden |
Hohlraumdübel | Komplexer Wanddübel mit ausklappenden Widerhaken, aus Metall | Wände in Hohlraum-Bauweise |
Spreizdübel | Dübel mit kleinen Widerhaken, aus Kunststoff | Leichte Aufhängungen (Bilder etc.), Massivwände |
Removing simple wall plugs
Standard universal and expansion plugs are quick and easy to remove if you can get a good grip on them. Here’s how to do it:
- Choose a screw that fits snugly into the wall plug.
- Screw it into the plug, no more than 2 cm deep.
- Grip the screw with a pair of pliers and pull everything out of the wall.
Removing stuck wall plugs
If you want to remove stuck universal or plasterboard plugs, you can drill them out. This basically involves clearing them out of the borehole. To do this, you will need a drill or a cordless screwdriver with a drill bit. Here's how to do it:
- Select a drill bit with a slightly larger diameter than the wall plug.
- Drill directly into the wall plug using light pressure.
- Check regularly to see if the wall plug has been completely drilled out.
Tip: If you feel sudden resistance when drilling out of solid walls, you have drilled through the plug and are hitting the masonry behind it.
Removing self-drilling wall plugs
Self-drilling wall plugs with an external thread can be unscrewed just as easily as you screwed them into the wall. Here's how:
- Select a suitable screwdriver or flat-nosed pliers.
- Turn the wall plug counter-clockwise to remove it.
- Make sure your tool is positioned straight in the wall plug.
Removing hollow-wall anchors
Removing hollow-wall anchors can be a little tricky, as they work differently to other types of wall plugs. To remove metal anchors, follow these steps:
- Select a long screw that fits perfectly.
- Carefully screw it in. It's important that it catches the thread at the back of the anchor, but still sticks out of the wall by at least 2 cm at the front.
- Gently tap the screw with a hammer. This will push the thread out from behind the wall, causing the anchor's wings to retract.
- When the screw can't be hammered in any further, the wings have folded in enough.
- Now you can pull the hollow-wall anchor out of the wall by hand or with a pair of pliers.
Tip: How to remove a wall plug without tools?
If you don't have the right tool to hand, simply screw a corkscrew into the wall plug and then pull it out. Just make sure not to insert the corkscrew too deep, so the wall plug doesn't expand.
Removed a wall plug? What's next?
You don't need to be a DIY expert to fill drill holes, just the right accessories and a little bit of care:
- Clear dust and debris from the drill hole (a vacuum cleaner works best).
- Dampen the inside of the hole (for example, with a cotton bud).
- Use a silicone, plaster or cement-based filler to fill the hole.
Did you know? As a tenant, you are not always required to remove wall plugs. Your landlord can request the removal of wall plugs if the number of holes in the walls is considered excessive. Check your tenancy agreement – it will usually have clear rules on this.
