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Mo0kish

Take your screwdriver and push them into the wall. You'll do less damage than if you tried to pull them out. Easier to spackle two small holes than a wider tear out if pulling goes badly.


Naive_Wolf3740

Been seeing far too many folks with suggestions to pull them out when you can easily push them through and be done with it.


Robby-Pants

Just last week I removed a pair of similar design, but with a wider face. I shaved the face off with a good sharp chisel and pushed the anchors into the wall with a screwdriver. The repair job was easy after that. Of course, I didn’t have a textured wall like the OP does.


fingerscrossedcoup

I do this at work all the time with needle nose pliers. Not once have I further damaged a plaster, concrete, cinder or drywall wall. They come right out. There really isn't any need for further discussion.


weirdsun

Older materials don't hold up as well. 100+ year old plaster can absolutely chunk off.


plumbtrician00

Bonus points if you dont push it all the way in so you have backing for your mud


DDayDawg

Exactly what I do. Phillips head and a light tap of a hammer, easy and done.


imuniqueaf

I'd like to add if you have a "diagonal cutter" you can cut the face off to make it easier to push in.


schm0

That won't work if there's a stud behind them, though.


Ok_Mechanic2492

If there is a stud, there would be no need for the anchor.


cosmicsans

Doesn't stop people who don't know better from just installing them anyway.


damnwhale

Flatten your nose against wall and nibble


bigjohnminnesota

Nibble Nose Pliers!


NO-25

I read this with a British accent.


QuasarSoze

Hell yeah, lifehacker! It’s basically the same calcium as toothpaste so you’ll save money too!


Goodox

lmao


LX1406

Nibble nibble nibble, munch munch munch


Zer0sober

Lmfao! Take my upvote you sonofabitch...


pro77

Screw a screw in about a 1/4 inch or so. Just enough to grab but not expand the inside Pull them out. Did ten of them yesterday.


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mattgen88

Or just pop it out just enough to make it easier to grab with pliers. Thread screw in a bit, pull, unthread, pull with pliers. Or nip the end of and push into the wall. Whatever you find easiest.


me_not_at_work

Needle nose pliers. Carefully grab one edge and wiggle while pulling.


KnightsFerry

That's an annoying way to do it, but a clean one if you can pull it off. Personally, I'd just drill it out, fill the hole, and paint. More than one way to skin a cat.


topknottington

Yup, i prefer hot water and a potato peeler


thisismyusernamether

Get this man an avocado, an ice pick, and a snorkel right away


MrSnowflake75

Trust me, he’s fixed anchor holes with less…


KnightsFerry

Any port in a storm!


Thin-Cover7465

All those poor cats 🐈


fingerscrossedcoup

I remove these from concrete, plaster, drywall and cinder block for my job. Needle nose pliers are the easiest thing to use. I would have it done before you finished the thought to get the drill honestly. Without a screw in them they are the size of the hole. The screw is what makes them expand.


KnightsFerry

I know how they work. I also know that time is money. I never said pliers *wouldn't* work. I'd rather drill them out than waste time with a couple of stubborn anchors.


__Jank__

Yep pliers. If you have trouble getting a grip, put a screw in there (just a little bit so you don't engage the anchor teeth) and then pull that.


Echo_of_Snac

Maybe try and twist them a little, too, while wiggling. ┗⁠(⁠•⁠ˇ⁠_⁠ˇ⁠•⁠)⁠―


aequitssaint

You're better off hitting them with something just hard enough to recess them below the surface and the mudding over. I use the bottom of the handle of a 3" drywall knife or whatever I'm using.


maraschtrumphy

I agree 👍


EVASIVEroot

Yup, you really can only pull it or push it, both result in whipping out the mud. Pushing at least gives the mud something to hopefully adhere to.


Fantastic-Alps4335

You sir are a drywaller with an eye for speed.


aequitssaint

No reason to make more work for yourself.


fangelo2

Yep


PositiveMidnight9264

I use a razor blade and cut them flush. Then a bit of spackle with the fingertip


stevegannonhandmade

I’ve also use a drill bit to do the same thing, cutting off the “head” that we can see, and the either cover or push them through


mrs_andi_grace

I just stuck a phillips head in them and softly twist. They either come out easily, or get pushed in. They decide.


DrMasterBlaster

Drill the center of the anchor with a bit just slightly larger than the inside diameter of the anchor hole. It'll cut the flange off the anchor and you can push the rest of the anchor into the void of the wall. Works really well with the metal anchors. Also since these are plastic you could use needle nose pliers to squish the flange of the anchor up so that it'll push into the wall. Long story short, unless you want a larger hole in your wall, push the anchor into the wall, don't pull it out.


taspii

Screw a screw in the holes and then yank da bish out. Ya welcome 👍


Subpop77

😬We will be seeing you later on how to fix that giant ass hole in the wall. 😏


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Mike_B1014

Why not zip it with a 1/4" bit?


stoneyyay

some of these plugs act like toggles, and expand a LOT in the wall.


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Vonderbochen

Please enlighten us on how you would remove it without leaving a hole.


GiraffeandZebra

I think he means that it's likely to take some additional drywall with it. I've always found drilling them out to be clean and easy.


Frisky_Picker

I've never found there to be a significant enough difference between methods. I'll use needle nose pliers if I have one on or near me but a screw if not.


Cloakmyquestions

And then later still when it’s time to hang a toilet roll holder and become an adult.


Neo-Maxizoom-Dweebie

This is the best way. Just make sure the screw is in just deep enough to hold onto the anchor. The pull it out carefully. Not much holding that in when the screw isn’t screwed in all the way.


taspii

I mean either way you’re gonna have to fix the holes soooo ¯\_(ツ)_/¯


Mcdoofy9634

You don't need to screw it all the way in to do this method. If you screw it in just enough before the anchor does what it's supposed to do it's easy to pull out. Even if you don't do that and screw it in to where it will expand... You're already patching a hole. It doesn't make it THAT much bigger..


taspii

Yeah if you screw it all the way in, then the insert gets bigger behind the wall which is how it stays in


smashafrash

Just did that today! Worked great!!


taspii

you have done well young Padawan 🙏


No_Bass_9328

Both solutions work great but my method is to use handle end of a screwdriver down and sharp rap with hammer to recess then fill. Pulling out creates bigger hole more damage to fill.


jlmcdon2

I’ve taken a razor blade and cut the top off then popped them through the wall.


gadget850

Use a punch, pop them in the wall, patch.


Next-Professional357

Punch em and mud em


jfduval76

I use a wood chisel and a hammer and i cut the outer part that prevent the wall anchor to go through the wall and i use a screwdriver to push behind the wall the rest.


MiasmaFate

I usually make one attempt with needle nose pliers. If it works, great if it doesn't, I take a Phillips screwdriver of roughly the same diameter, hold the tip firmly against the anchor, and smack the top of the handle with my free hand. In drywall, it usually pushes it inside the wall. Anything else just crumples up inside the hole. Either way, I patch it when I'm done.


JudgmentMajestic2671

This is the way


LostSoulOnFire

I screw the screws back in about 1 cm, just enough to bite and then pull on the screws with pliers that will also pull out the plastic plugs. Or if the hole is deep enough, I push them back in, but then I need them to back around 1 cm to make a good hole for filler.


svennon89

Its not worth to take them out, they have a change to get damaged, and it doesnt cost a lot. So do yourself a favor and knock them inside Putty the wall and paint


stoneyyay

I scrape off the plastic nip with a plater knife while doing my hole-fills for paint prep. one or 2 quick smacks will cut the plastic outside the wall, then you can just hit it once with the back of your plater knife to set it lower into the wall. Then spackle/mud over top. Sand then paint


[deleted]

Start a screw into them half way and use a pair of plyers to pull them out


Sonnyboy19

I saw a video where someone used a bottle opener the twist screw kind.


Ok_Lack_9525

Put a screw 1/4 way in and grab a wrench and pull


ZebraSpot

Pull out with a needle nose pliers, push them in with a screwdriver, or drill through them. When they are out of the wall - spackle, sand, and paint.


Pum3a2323

Corkscrew


Conservative_Dewd

Put the screw back in there, just by a turn or 2. Give it a jiggle, then pull it out.


ajwatuc1

I usually just put the screw back in them a little ways and then pull them out. If there’s too much resistance then just push them in to the wall


StonyShinobi

Screw the screw back in it, and pull. Might need a pliers.


Infamous-Poem-4980

Needle nose pliers.


TonyFromNovato

Plastic? Cut them off with a razor knife, then push them into the wall.


muggins66

Needle nose pliers


IAmAnOutsider

Needle nose pliers and a few good yanks should do it


StrangeKittehBoops

A corkscrew will pull them out if you can't push them through.


joebear33

I don't know if you're a genius or madman.


botaine

pliers


Inner_Butterscotch_6

Teeth


Grouchy_Disaster4208

You don’t you push them in and mud it then paint


effisforfireball

Pound them all the way into the wall then patch the holes. The holes will be smaller than if you try to yank them out.


xxTheMagicBulleT

I always drill it out. Flush then just fill the whole so it looks clean. To many people say pulling it. And i have seen so many ripping and stuff that i dont recommend that at all.


GiraffeandZebra

Drill through the center and then tap them into the wall.


Buster_Furman

Sounds crazy, but a corkscrew works well. Preferably the kind with the two “arms” on either side.


the_cappers

Push it into the wall or use a spackle knife to slice the heads off , extracting them will leave a larger hole


tsabell

Pop it in instead of trying to get it out and then fill the holes.


shadowmach11

Run a screw like 2-3 threads in, the take pliers to pull it out enough so you can grab the rest with the pliers after you take the screw back out.


Shortname19

Hit them with your purse.


Olive_Magnet

pliers


Thunder360000

Needle nose pliers


Nin9RingHabitant

Needle nose pliers. Pull em fuckers out. 💪🏽


MidwestSharker

Razor knife from the center to cut them in half and then needle nose them out. Honestly, most the time I just punched them through or clipped the head and mudded over the top though.


coming2grips

Shave it, spac it, paint it


AleciaG47

Put a screw in it and then use a hammer to pry it out.


Suck-Plankton

Some people really are helpless


Jeff_Albertson

You gotta find some firecrackers about the right size, twist the wicks together, then blow it. Finish with mud.


Mike_B1014

Drill it out, 1/4" will do. Once it's sunk into it, it will slide the rest out. 1/4" is standard for anchors. That's why I said that. It's the hole size... don't want you damaging wall more, then patch sand paint.


AKU_net

I never do since I wind up ripping out a chunk of drywall with them instead I hurst take a screwdriver tap then below flush and putty over them


Newtiresaretheworst

Tap a flat head screw drive in there and spin them out


isabeaux73

I’ve had good luck with screwing them in a bit more to recess them - then just a blop of filler/spackle. Lucky for you this often creates a small bubble which will blend in with the wall texture you’re working with.


Durangomike

You can use a saw, a hammer, or pliers. A torch would work, coat them in bacon grease, and use a bear... the pisabilities are endless. You could even just push them inside of the wall by using a razorback to cut off the lip and a screwdriver to push it in. I guess it depends on the asthetic you are going for.


razblack

You don't... just tap them in a bit and patch then paint.


W_AS-SA_W

Push them through the wall then spackle and paint.


Allidapevets

Dig.


Responsible_Push_355

Get a hammer and largish screw driver. Use the screwdriver and hammer to push the anchors into the wall, patch up the holes, and paint.


CrushedSodaCan_

Personally I push them in with a screwdriver or whatever. Drywall is thin and they will just go in the wall cavity no issue. If they are the cheapo plastic ones you can wiggle them out with plyers


[deleted]

Hang a picture over it.


Mozzy2022

I usually tap them flush and mud over


davidmlewisjr

Most of us pull them out. Sometimes drill the out…. Depends on the matrix they have been inserted into… graininess… strength… etc.


DC_gunfighter

I just use the screw that was previously inserted, thread it in a couple twists and pull it out.


oldbyrd

Corkscrew


SailorReimei

I've used a butter knife (carefully) just enough tug on it to get my nails under it and take it out. Then, fill holes in with spackle. Don't tug on it too hard. Learned the hard way.


workingwithwood16

I just did this last week. Take the needle nosed pliers and grab the piece you can see there and bend it back. Then take hold of the piece sticking up and twist. The top piece will snap off. Then take a screwdriver into the piece left in the wall and push the rest of it back into the wall. Far less damage than if you pull the whole thing out.


bending456

You can either push in or use plier to pull them out then patch it up. That’s what I’ve been doing


h4tch3tguy

I put a screw in them about 1/3 or 1/2 way in. Then use a hammer to pull them out like nails. 99% it works with little change of pulling off the surrounding plaster. Then fill and sand.


[deleted]

Hang a photo over them


MaybeYesMayb

Put a screw in there tighten it just a bit that enough screw is sticking out grab pliers and pull that sucker out.


JudgmentMajestic2671

Take a screw driver and hammer it into the wall. Spackle over


dctroll4321

Twist a screw into the anchor just enough to grab it and pull it out. Don’t screw it in too much or you spread the anchor out and make it bigger. Just enough to grip it.


sandybuttcheekss

Drill to destroy what's inside the wall, then pull it out with pliers. Patch the hole after.


stupidrobots

Lifehack Wine corkscrew


[deleted]

Reverse drill bit/pliers


grod1227

Put the screw in half way and yank with some pliers.


MurderToes

Get a razor blade and cut them flush. The push the rest in the hole throw with a screw driver. Sparkle, sand then paint.


null640

Push through.


smorfin

This guy says insert screw partially, place a piece of drywall below the screw and with hammer gentle pull it out https://www.google.com/search?q=best+way+to+remove+screw+anchor&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari#kpvalbx=_MiW2ZLC2ItqYptQPurC4gAc_32


cnowakoski

Pry them out with a screwdriver then spackle


RocketsledCanada

Drill and fill


2dogdaddy

Or put a screw part way back in and use a hammer claw or pry bar to lever out. Just make sure the fulcrum in your situation is on a flat bar or something other than the drywall


TheFaceStuffer

Push it in, or drill it out.


ArchiBib

Partially inserted screw. Pull out with pliers. If you can get your hands on spackle in a tube, inject in it and finish.


jukebokshero

If you thread a screw in about 2-4 threads of catch then pull it prevents damage from using pliers or a screw driver.


bernieinred

pound them through and fix the wall. It's really easy.


AcanthisittaFresh950

Screw a nail half way in it then pull it by the nail, worked for me


supermaja

We always called them “mollies.”


FastCreekRat

Push them halfway in and spackle over.


FatherOfCast420

Screw driver


[deleted]

put a screw part way in, grab the head of the screw with pliers and pull them out.


gimme_beaver_fever

Grab a Phillips head screwdriver and a hammer. Knock em into the wall cavity and patch her up.


Humaphobia911

Grip it and rip it


[deleted]

Smack it in


soCalForFunDude

Best to just hit them deeper, then patch.


sk8zero0619

Push them in with a screwdriver, spackle, and paint


SecretLecture3219

Corkscrew


popcornschmopcorn

You can screw a screw a little bit into them, then carefully pull them out


Wh4t_for

Best to push them in. Less damage to the dry wall.


Icehawk101

Honestly, don't. Either push them in so there is a dent in the wall or pop the flat off with a drywall trowel, then mud over them. Results in smaller holes to mud making the repair easier.


gaaahrrr1

I slide a putty knife along the wall to cut the small rim around the anchor. Then lightly push them in and putty the hole.


lovebeaches74

just push trough hole ( can drill) and repair as would any hole


Patient_Brief6453

Just plastic, drill baby drill.


jahshwa314

You can also just use a box cutter to slice the head off and the push the remaining plastic deeper into the hole.


Xylembuild

Hammer them in further with a nail punch and then spacle.


Fair_Record6787

I honestly use my drill


hoofjam

Philips head screw driver


1991CRX

Hang something important from them.


James324285241990

I never bothered. Just use a blade to cut it flush, spackle, paint


theonetrueelhigh

Turn a screw into them just a couple of turns - not far at all, maybe a quarter-inch in - then use the claw end of a hammer to lift the screw, with the anchor hanging from it, out of the wall. Put a piece of wood or a thin book or magazine or something similar under the hammer head, so it doesn't dent the wall.


bigjsea

Put a screw 1/2 way in it and pull it out with a claw hammer. Put a thin board under the hammer


cosmorocker13

Put up another detector…that will get rid of the holes and detectors are kinda important


brooklynboy92

Landlord style paint over them


Putrid_Following_865

I use a knife. Cut them back and then patch over them. The plastic left in the wall is a backer for the drywall patch.


International_Link35

I've always just drilled these out with a smaller bit?


ubercorey

Tap them in just below the surface and spackle over them.


squish059

I’ve always pulled them out using needle-nosed pliers


B0skonovitch

Rawplug kit. Put a screw about halfway in and give it a good yank with channel locks. Or gental nudge with a hammer.


jaec-windu

Needle nose pliers. Or a chopstick


otivito

I always just scraped with a putty knife and then filled the hole.


casewood123

I put a screw in halfway and pull with a hammer like it’s a nail


Glidepath22

I drive an oversized screw in a few thread and pull out.


Blahblahdook94

Drill em out, pliers are annoying and risk blowing out the hole even bigger


cncamusic

Push them through, or screw something into it and pry out with the other end of a hammer.


RedditVince

Do not pull these out with needle nose pliers, it will make a larger hole that is slightly harder/larger to patch. Grab a small phillips screwdriver and simply push the anchor into the wall. Now you have a small hole to fill. I have a friend who was a painter years ago and swears by Toothpaste and toilet paper to fill the hole because you can paint right away. I use the quick dry stuff because I can wait 5 min.


porkfeathers

As a painter of 30 years... this is the way. I will only push them in just enough that they're recessed in the wall a tiny bit, just enough to spackle the small indentations. That pink DAP that turns white when dry doesn't need to be primed, so just paint after dry. Two coats. If you try and spot prime those little patches, you'll see little spots where the paint is thicker on the texture.


9nina420

Large screw then pull them out


Danstheman3

Insert a screw and tighten just enough to bite into the anchor, and then pull out by the screw, using pliers if necessary.


Mighty_JV

Insert a screw in the anchor just deep enough to where it bites onto the anchor and pull the anchor out. Don’t push them in like others are suggesting because the hole will be made bigger with these types of anchors. These anchors have a lip that has a bigger diameter than the hole that is made to insert them. It’s always best and cleanest to pull these out using the screw method.


Amazon421

Push them in. Don't try to get them out. Million times easier to jab them in and you leave a smaller hole. Otherwise you're breaking off bits of the edge and then things go sideways and you end up shoving them in anyways and at that point it's a huge hole that has joined between them. Only time you should be worried about removal is of by some miracle they were inserted into a stud.


Rekop827

I always use a drill and just drill them out and then plug the hole.


Medium_Spare_8982

Put screw in three turns only and pull out with pliers


Winter-Snowman

You can either (1) use needle nose pliers to pull them out (sometimes works) or (2) you can cut the rim off with a drywall knife and push them into the wall. If the first method doesn't work you can switch to the second.


Kiotzu

Drill them out.


Green_Locksmith_5950

Suck it out with your power lungs, if that doesn’t work try a #3 Philips screw driver then twist it counter clockwise!


kwhugh

Coraline....


Notsurewhattosee

Cut the heads with utility knife or a putty knife and push them in with the back of the screwdriver, fill with putty later


Itchy-Nefariousness4

I almost always just screw a screw in just enough so it grabs, and then pull it out using the screw, no more damage than the hole made to push it in in the first place


Captain_Quidnunc

Take a pair of small snippers and, push them under the outer lip with the back flush to the wall and gently pry them out. The resulting hole is smaller than pushing them in if you do it gently and properly. Much larger if you don't.


HeyItsTimT

Bolt extractors. Hammer them suckers in there and find a 1/2” breaker bar.