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 back out 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 wall plug
Just grab it with pliers and give it a tug? What could go wrong? Depending on their type, wall plugs are anchored into the wall in different ways. If you use the wrong method to remove them, you could end up with cracks in your wall. That's why you should first check what type 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 can be removed in a flash if you can get a good grip on them. Just follow these steps:
- Select a screw that fits snugly into the wall plug.
- Turn the screw into the plug, no more than 2 cm deep.
- Grip the screw with a pair of pliers and pull the entire plug out of the wall.
Removing stuck wall plugs
If you want to remove stuck universal or plasterboard plugs, you can drill them out. You are essentially 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 to do it:
- Choose a drill bit with a slightly larger diameter than the wall plug.
- Drill directly into the plug using light pressure.
- Check regularly to see if the plug has been completely drilled out.
Tip: If you feel a sudden resistance when drilling into solid walls, you have drilled through the plug and have hit the stone behind it.
Removing self-tapping wall plugs
Self-tapping wall plugs with an external thread are just as easy to unscrew as they are to screw 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 turn.
Removing cavity wall plugs
If you want to remove cavity wall plugs, things get a little more complicated. This is because they work differently to the other plugs mentioned so far. To remove metal cavity plugs, proceed as follows:
- Choose a long screw that fits perfectly.
- Carefully screw it in. It is important that it catches the rear thread of the plug, but still protrudes from the wall by at least 2 cm at the front.
- Gently hammer the screw in. This pushes the thread out from behind the wall, causing the plug's wings to retract.
- When the screw cannot be hammered in any further, the wings have collapsed sufficiently.
- Now you can pull the cavity wall plug out of the wall by hand or with a pair of pliers.
Tip: Removing 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. It's important that the corkscrew doesn't go in too deep, so the wall plug doesn't expand.
Removing wall plugs, and then what?
You don't need to be a DIY expert to fill drill holes, just the right accessories and a bit of care:
- Clean dust and debris from the drill hole (ideally with a vacuum cleaner).
- 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 a tenant's obligation. The landlord can request the removal of wall plugs if the number of holes in the walls is considered excessive. Check your rental agreement – there are usually clear rules about this.
