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    jrepen's Avatar
    jrepen Posts: 33, Reputation: 2
    Junior Member
    		  
    #1

    Feb 19, 2009, 12:23 AM
    Removing wall anchors
    What's the best way to get wall anchors out of tile? I've got a bunch of them, mostly in the grout lines. I'm afraid of cracking the tile.
    :(
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
    Uber Member
    		  
    #2

    Feb 19, 2009, 08:38 AM

    If they are plastic anchors, remove screw most of the way, then pull out.
    If a toggle bolt, remove screw and push into wall.
    If it is the kind that spreads out and becomes attached, you could try squeezing the round part, then push into wall.
    jrepen's Avatar
    jrepen Posts: 33, Reputation: 2
    Junior Member
    		  
    #3

    Feb 23, 2009, 02:31 AM

    Ok. They're plastic. But, um, how do I pull them out? I mean, I'm only about a buck-ten over here, and throwing my whole weight away from them didn't get them out. I did succeed in bending a screw.
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
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    #4

    Feb 23, 2009, 07:09 AM

    I usually remove screw most of the way, or all the way out, then maybe 2 turns into the shield, if it doesn't pull out anchor, add a turn.
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #5

    Feb 23, 2009, 06:20 PM
    Hi all...

    Plastic anchors (see picture #1 and #2) like these should have the screw removed and then they should be PUSHED into the wall.

    Plastic anchors like in pic. #3 should be pushed in as well... ;)

    Plastic anchors like in pic.# 4 should be unscrewed counterclockwise using a philips head screwdriver.

    Hope that clarifies!

    MARK
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    jrepen's Avatar
    jrepen Posts: 33, Reputation: 2
    Junior Member
    		  
    #6

    Feb 24, 2009, 07:22 PM

    Thanks all! Stratmando's method did work on the ones that didn't break. The rest I ended up pushing into the wall after the heads split apart and I was able to cut them off without cutting myself (!) or scratching the tile.
    After I managed to get the new holes drilled without breaking anything, I was a bit less worried about getting the old ones out. Got to love that pre-war construction. It can take some abuse after all.
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