Removing Wall Plugs: The Quick & Easy Way
Wall plugs are designed to sit firmly in the wall – that's their job. But how do you get them out again without damaging the wall? We'll explain the best methods for removing wall plugs and share a few tricks from the toolbox.
It's all about the right wall plug
Just grab it with pliers and pull, what could go wrong? Well, depending on the type, wall plugs are anchored in different ways. If you use the wrong method to remove one, you could end up with cracks in your 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:
- Select 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 the plug out of the wall.
Removing stuck wall plugs
If you want to remove stuck universal or plasterboard plugs, you can drill them out. Essentially, you are clearing them out of the drill hole. For this, you will need a drill or a cordless screwdriver with a drill bit. Here's how:
- Select a drill bit with a slightly larger diameter than the wall plug.
- Drill directly into the plug using gentle pressure.
- Check regularly to see if the plug has been completely drilled out.
Tip: If you feel sudden resistance when drilling in solid walls, you have drilled through the plug and hit 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 it works:
- Choose a suitable screwdriver or a pair of flat-nosed pliers.
- Turn the wall plug anti-clockwise to remove it.
- Make sure your tool sits straight in the wall plug as you do this.
Removing hollow wall anchors
If you want to remove hollow wall anchors, things get a little more complicated, as they work differently to the other types of wall plugs. To remove metal cavity anchors, proceed as follows:
- Select a long screw that fits perfectly.
- Carefully screw it in. It’s important that it catches the rear thread of the anchor, but still protrudes from the wall by at least 2 cm.
- Gently hammer the screw in. This will push the threaded part out from behind the wall, causing the anchor’s barbs to retract.
- When the screw can’t be hammered in any further, the barbs have fully collapsed.
- Now you can pull the hollow wall anchor out of the wall by hand or with a pair of pliers.
Tip: How to remove wall plugs without tools?
If you don't have the right tool to hand, just screw a corkscrew into the wall plug and then pull it out. The important thing is not to screw it in too deep, so that the wall plug doesn't expand.
Removing wall plugs: what's next?
You don’t need to be a DIY expert to fill drill holes, just the right equipment and a little bit of care:
- Clean any 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? Removing wall plugs is not always the tenant's responsibility. Your landlord can ask you to remove them if the number of holes in the walls is more than is considered reasonable. Check your rental agreement – there are usually clear rules about this.
