Rawl plugs are great. They’re built to last and hold heavy items on our walls without fail.
Sometimes, you need to take them out, which can be tough.
This guide will show you how to remove rawl plugs from any surface without hurting your walls, furniture, or DIY projects.
You’ll find this guide helpful if you want to add a new shelf or fix up a decorated area. It covers many surfaces, including plaster, wood, tiles, concrete, and brick. Let’s dive in.
Tools You Will Need
- Pliers or a set of needle-nose pliers
- A robust screwdriver or an electric drill equipped with a screwdriver attachment
- Sandpaper or a sanding block
- Spackle or wall filler
- A putty knife or a scraping tool
How To Remove Rawl Plugs From A Wall
Let’s start with the basics. Get your tools ready and follow these steps.
Step 1: You’ll need a claw hammer and a screwdriver.
Step 2: Can you see the rawl plug? Give it a tap with your hammer, or push it with your screwdriver. This will help loosen it from the wall.
Step 3: Once you’ve loosened the rawl plug, twist it from the wall with your screwdriver.
Step 4: Sometimes, old wall plugs or stuck ones won’t budge. If this happens, use a drill bit to clear away anything, keeping the plug in place.
Step 5: After clearing obstacles, use a screwdriver to twist and pull the plug from the wall. Pliers or a claw hammer can give you extra power when you meet resistance.
Step 6: pull out the wall plug using your hands or pliers.
Step 7: Put down your tools and throw away the old rawl plug. Head to the fridge, grab a cold drink and pat yourself on the back for a job well done.
How To Remove Rawl Plugs From Plasterboard/Drywall
Step 1: Putting Pressure on the Unfolding:
Loosen the screw with the screw technique while you apply steady pressure. (If no screw exists, put the screw in first)
Steady pressure makes the rawl plug unfold bit by bit so you can take it out.
The screw will come off once the plug unfolds, no matter how much pressure you use.
Step 2: Other Way – Putting the Plug-In:
If the first unfolding screw doesn’t work, pick a method that’s less likely to cause damage.
Instead of trying to pull the plug out, push it into the wall.
This approach will help to lower the chance of damaging the wall.
Step 3: Make the Push Technique Better:
While pushing is simple and fast, some plugs might unfold.
Here’s how you can push while minimising damage:
Step 4: Like we said before, take the plug out of the wall a bit.
Step 5: Grab some long pliers and break off the outside part of the plug. This is the part you see when the plug is in.
Step 6: Once you’ve removed that outside part, put the plug back in the wall. Be careful not to break it.
Things work differently for plasterboard rawl plugs than regular ones. However, you can still use these steps to remove wall plugs from plasterboard.
How To Take Rawl Plugs Out Of Wood
Step 1: Get Your Tools Ready:
Get your tools ready. You’ll need a drill with a drill bit, pliers (pick the right size for the rawl plug), and safety glasses.
Step 2: Make the Hole:
Drill straight through the rawl plug using the drill bit.
Keep the drill level, and don’t push too hard to avoid damaging the wooden wall.
Pull It Out (Step 3):
Stick the flat pliers into the new hole and grab the rawl plug as far back as possible.
Use the pliers to pull the rawl plug out of the wall.
Step 4: Tidy Up and Patch the Hole:
Clear away any leftover mess from taking out the plug.
Fill the hole with spackle or putty to get a neat, even surface.
Following these steps will help you take out wall plugs from wood.
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How To Take Out Rawl Plugs From Tiles
Step 1: Get the Screw Ready:
Find a screw that fits the wall plug’s size.
Put the screw into the wall plug’s hole with your screwdriver and tighten it all the way.
Step 2: Pull It Out with Pliers:
Grab the screw you put in with pliers.
Move the screw side to side, watching out for the area around it.
Pull the screw out while staying away from any tiles. This step helps prevent tile damage or cracks.
Step 3: Keep doing it until it works:
To loosen the wall plug more, do the pliers thing again.
Use the pliers the same way to take out the rawl plug completely.
Following these steps is the best way to get wall plugs out of tiles.
How To Get Rawl Plugs Out Of Concrete
Step 1: Get Your Tools Ready:
You’ll need a drill with a drill bit the same size as the wall plug or smaller.
Step 2: Get in Position and Start Drilling:
- Put the drill bit’s centre on the wall plug’s centre.
- Make a hole in the plug’s centre by drilling.
- Move to Step 3 if part of the wall plug comes loose. If not, do this step again as needed.
Step 3: Removal with Pliers:
- Grab the plug with flat pliers if you can reach part of it. Regular pliers work, too.
- Use the pliers to pull the rawl plug out.
To remove wall plugs from concrete another way, try the tiles method we discussed earlier.
How To Remove Rawl Plugs Which Are Old
To take out an old rawl plug, push something into the plastic plug, stopping halfway to get a good grip. Putting a new screw into it will help to pull out the wall plug.
After you’ve done this, grab a tough pair of pliers or a claw hammer to hold the screw tight and yank the old plug out in a straight line.
Should I Remove Rawl Plugs Before Filling
Make sure the rawl plug doesn’t sit flush with the surface, and keep the collar in one piece. As other home fixers have said, what you do changes based on the surface and the kind of plug you’re dealing with.
For instance, brick can pose challenges when filling and skimming, while plasterboard offers a smoother, simpler surface.
You can take out the rawl plug by removing it, drilling, or pushing it through the wall. After that, fill the hole and smooth it by sanding and finishing.
What Is A Rawl Plug?
A wall plug, also called a rawl plug, plays a crucial role in making sure screws attach to various wall types creating a stable connection. Without these plugs, screws can’t grip the masonry well, which results in a weak attachment.
Types of Rawl Plugs
You’ve got many options for wall plugs or anchors, and each one works based on your actions. Take a look at these:
- Plastic Expansion Anchors: People use these basic wall plugs often. They work well for hanging lighter objects on plasterboard.
- Metal Hollow Wall Anchors (bolts): These anchors are for hanging heavy items on hollow walls. They tighten behind the wall to hold weighty objects.
- Self-Drilling Anchors: These have a sharp point and are simple to use. You don’t need to drill first. They work in both plasterboard and concrete.
- Toggle Bolts: These are for big jobs. They fold up, go through a hole, and then open inside the wall.
- Screw-In Anchors: You can use these in many situations. Just twist them into whatever surface you’re working with – drywall, wood, or concrete. Their sharp threads grab hold well.
- Plastic Ribbed Anchors: These plugs work great for hanging things of medium weight. The ridges on their body stick to the walls and do a good job in drywall or plaster.
- Expansion Bolts: These rigid anchors are perfect for concrete or masonry. Their sleeves grow bigger when you tighten them, creating a strong grip.
How To Remove Rawl Plugs: Common Mistakes
1. Using Too Much Force: People often make the mistake of using too much force when they try to take out rawl plugs. This can break the plug into pieces or damage the wall. Rawl plugs are made to hold things in place, so if you use too much force, you might end up causing damage you didn’t mean to.
2. Using the Wrong Tools: Another mistake is incorrectly using the wrong tools. This can make it hard to get the plug out. Using the right tools, like screwdrivers or pliers that fit well, is important. When you use the right tools, you can hold the plug better, and you’re less likely to damage the plug or the wall.
3. Angle-Pulling Pitfall: To remove the plug, you need to pull it straight out from the wall. Don’t yank it at an angle. If you do, you might make the process trickier by loosening the plug or getting it stuck. The best way is to pull and straight out.
How To Remove Rawl Plugs FAQ’s
To remove rawl plugs, gather the tools below:
- pliers or needle-nose pliers
- a strong screwdriver or drill with a suitable screwdriver bit
- sandpaper or sanding block
- wall putty or spackle
- putty knife or scraper
To remove plastic wall plugs, grasp the plug with pliers or needle-nose pliers near the wall’s surface and pull it straight out. If a screwdriver or drill is stubborn, it can be turned anticlockwise to reverse its position.
To work with metal wall plugs, find the screw head in the plug. Use a screwdriver or drill bit to unscrew it anticlockwise. Once the screw has been disengaged, the metal plug can be removed with pliers.
After removing the rawl plug, smooth any jagged edges around the hole with sandpaper or a sanding block. Then, using a putty knife or scraper, create an even surface by applying spackle, wall putty, or waterproof sealant.
Allow the patch to dry completely before lightly sanding it and painting it to match the surrounding wall.
In general, reusing old wall plugs after extraction is not recommended. Rawl plugs’ structural integrity and efficiency can deteriorate over time. Choosing new rawl plugs ensures a secure and dependable connection.
The plastic plugs are labelled according to size: An 8mm plug fits into an 8mm drill hole. A standard error is to have the correct size plug but a small screw. The screw should be slightly smaller in diameter than the plug. Additional information is available on the product packaging.
The Bottom Line
Understanding the nuances of even the most basic tasks, such as how to remove rawl plugs from a wall, is part of mastering the art of DIY home improvement.
You can follow our advice to tackle the task without damaging your walls.
Remember that patience and precision are essential when safely removing rawl plugs. Using basic tools and following these techniques, you can easily remove rawl plugs and achieve a smooth finish in your home.
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