The cost to replace plaster with drywall can quickly add up. This guide will help you budget for this project and decide if it's worth the effort and cost.
How to Remove Drywall Anchors Without Damaging Your Walls
A little bit of elbow grease and some common household tools will get the job done in no time
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Removing drywall anchors without damage depends on your anchor type, and most come out with a screwdriver, pliers, or simple cutting techniques.
Project costs range from $25 to $50 for drywall putty and supplies, while tools like drills or hammers cost $100 to $300 if you need them.
Your best removal approach starts with unscrewing or pulling with pliers, then cutting the anchor flush and hammering it into the wall if needed.
Hiring a local drywall repair professional provides confident support for patching larger holes or handling repairs that feel beyond your comfort level.
SKILL LEVEL
Simple
COMPLETION TIME
15 minutes
COST
$25 to $50
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What you'll need:
TOOLS
- Drywall putty
- Medium grit sandpaper
SUPPLIES
- Screwdriver
- Drill with screwdriver fitting
- Utility knife, box cutter, or cutting wheel fitting for drill
- Needle-nose pliers
- Hammer
Drywall anchors are handy for all sorts of projects, like safely mounting shelves, TVs, art, and the like. But they can also be a nuisance when it comes time to repaint your walls for a move or simply redecorate. Luckily, learning how to remove drywall anchors is easy to do and doesn’t require any out-of-the-ordinary tools. With a bit of time and some drywall putty for patching up any small holes left behind, your walls will be ready for whatever comes next.
Prepping to Remove Drywall Anchors
Start by gathering all your tools and protecting your surroundings from any debris. Remove any objects that could get in your way while working, and cover the floor below with a drop cloth for quick and easy cleanup.
Next, clear the wall of any obstacles like art or shelves. Find out how to remove wallpaper if you know that’s another task you’ll need to do beforehand. You’ll need to remove any screws that are still in place before worrying about the anchors. You can use either a handheld screwdriver or a drill with a screwdriver fitting to do this. Dust them off and set them aside for a later project if they’re still in good shape.
Once you’ve taken care of all that, you’re ready to conquer the drywall anchors. Use one of the following methods to get them out ASAP.
Remove With a Screwdriver
Photo: zlikovec / Adobe StockPlace either a handheld screwdriver or a drill with a screwdriver bit into the drywall anchor. If you’ve chosen the first option, rotate the screwdriver to the left while gently tugging backward to loosen and pull out the anchor. Once it’s far enough removed from the wall, you can unscrew the rest by hand.
If you’re opting for the drill, be sure to set it to reverse to avoid accidentally drilling further into your wall. Place the bit into the anchor and activate the drill to pull outward. If the anchor is still firmly in place despite these efforts, consider one of the more intensive methods below.
Pull Out With Needle-Nose Pliers
Sandwich the accessible anchor edge between the two tips of a set of needle-nose pliers. Gently push and pull the edge back and forth until it becomes noticeably looser. You may need to repeat this motion for a few minutes to free the anchor enough to pull it out. Move on to a different technique if it still doesn’t budge from this trick.
Cut and Hammer to Remove
Use a utility knife, box cutter, or cutting wheel bit for your drill to cut away at the head of the anchor. Once it’s fully removed and flat with the wall, place a screwdriver or nail into the opening. Next, tap the screwdriver or nail with a hammer to push the anchor into the gap behind the wall. If it turns out that there’s not enough space behind the wall and the anchor is still sticking out, try the last trick for guaranteed success.
Recess It Into the Wall
Save this method for last because it will create a larger hole in your drywall than the others. Use a utility knife or box cutter to score a small square around the drywall anchor. Next, place a screwdriver in the anchor opening and tap with a hammer until it’s fully sunk into the drywall. From there, you’ll need to patch up the remaining hole before moving on to other projects.
Patch Holes With Drywall Putty
Photo: Kativ / iStock / Getty ImagesEven the smallest holes in drywall are worth patching up because they can become worse over time if neglected—and incur hefty drywall repair costs as a result. Wipe the area with a microfiber cloth to remove any leftover dust or debris. Apply drywall putty and use a drywall spatula to smooth and even out the rest of the wall. Let dry until fully cured (up to 24 hours), then smooth out further with medium-grit sandpaper. If you’ve made a hole bigger than you feel comfortable dealing with, a local drywall repair service can help you out.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
For a job this small, you’re better off doing it yourself than hiring a pro. In most cases, a drywall professional near you won’t perform such a task unless it’s one part of a larger project or an add-on to something else entirely—like a freebie on top of the cost of popcorn ceiling removal.
Good thing the cost to go the DIY route is so low! If you don’t already have a drill or tools like a hammer or screwdriver, you’ll end up paying a max one-time fee ranging from $100 to $300. It’s worth investing in such tools because they’ll help you save a lot on future DIY projects and repairs in the long run.
Frequently Asked Questions
Drywall services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
4.9★ avg. • 25 total reviews
- Joseph D.
Cancelled appointment two hours after they were supposed to come for drywall work.
Hutch And Sons Drywall Services - Austin Y.
I would recommend this company to anyone! He showed up on time, was friendly, completed a very difficult repair on our dryer vent cover, was responsive, and pricing was extremely fair and competitive. I would have him back to do any of our repairs or cleanings without hesitation!
U.S.A. Dryer Vent, LLC - Mark B.
I cant stop admiring my newly painted walls. Custom Paint Jobs LLC made my house feel brand new.
Custom Paint Jobs, LLC - Lia P.
Excellent experience with hiring Tether House to Mount our 77’ Samsung TV in our bedroom. Fast, friendly, and knowledgeable. Highly recommend.
Tether House - Warren C.
Excellent customer service and knowledge. I was recommend to him from my neighbour. My front door and window came in great and were installed beautifully perfectly, I m very satisfied with their excellent work, so decided to order one more big bow window for my living room. I cant wait for...
Window Depot USA of Central Ohio - Rob B.
Manuel Calvillo is the best option in the area for roofing and you won't be disappointed.
- Kathy W.
Would hire again. Wall looks great. Happy with job.
Central Paving - Kendrick V.
Involved an extensive bathroom remodel, including removing tub & installing walk in shower, new drywall, custome tile work to ceiling, plumbing, etc. Overall, job was done on time and on budget. Nick & his team were very professional and had high attention to detail. Quality was great. Highly...
Stamos Flooring and Remodeling LLC - Craig M.
We have had a great experience with Rising Height for the past five years on a number of miscellaneous renovation projects. They laid flooring for us and had a very good sub do the finish. Installed drywall for a vaulted ceiling, finished an attic/loft with new subfloor, framing and drywall,...
Rising Height Unlimited - Scott A.
Mr. Lopez was super nice and professional. He repaired our drywall just as he described during the estimate phase. Our dining room wall looks great again! Thanks Mr. Lopez!
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