How to Remove Plastic Screw Anchors...

Hi everyone!! Not much sewing or crafting going on right now. We had old baseboard radiators removed and new hardwood floors put in two rooms and that lead to patching, priming and painting the walls. You know that if something is going on at the house, it's fair game for a post!

I thought I would share this with you for a future project you might have.

How to remove those little plastic inserts that secure a screw into dry wall.

You know these little things…

I had anchors in several places over each window. Some were down low next to the window frame and some were higher when I raised the curtain rods closer to the ceiling. I bought new double rods and of course the holes don't match up to the old ones.

Here is a picture of some of the old inserts. I've already removed the metal curtain rod bracket.

To remove the plastic inserts, re-screw the screw back into the insert about half way. I tried to word that better, but just doesn't flow nicely.

Now, take pliers and gently turn and pull on the screw head.

It should start to loosen the plastic anchor.

It should remove cleanly like this.

Sometimes, not so nicely.

What the heck…it's like I took a sledge hammer to it. That's the problem with a house built in 1976 that has all plaster walls.

Spackle to the rescue!

Just use a spatula to fill in the holes.

Fill in and scrape it flat.

Let it dry…

Then sand. For larger holes, you may have to fill them in again.

Now you're ready to paint. I left in that bottom anchor in there. It was going to be too much plaster coming off and I didn't want to have to patch near the wooden window frame. You won't see it behind the curtain and the top of the window is up too high anyway.

Store this away for your future painting projects or "Pin It" when you need it another time.

Hope it will be helpful!

Thanks for stopping by,
~Karen~