Installing Wall Anchors

Plastic wall anchors look similar to a screw, however they have a hollow center where the screw is fastened into. Plastic wall anchors come in a variety of sizes. They are meant for hanging light objects on drywall walls such as small pictures and decorations.

To install a plastic wall hanger first drill a pilot hole into the drywall that is slightly smaller than the diameter of the plastic wall anchor.

Then gently tap the plastic wall hanger into the hole using a hammer until it is flush with the surface of the drywall.

Then use a screwdriver to screw in the screw. As the screw is screwed into the plastic wall anchor, it expands a little on the backside of the wall anchor to create some friction for holding the screw tightly in place.

Hollow Wall Anchors Hollow wall anchors can support a slightly heavier load than a plastic wall hanger, e.g. a picture frame. They are made out of both plastic and metal materials. Hollow wall hangers, also referred to as Molly bolts, are similar to plastic wall anchors, however they spread out dramatically on the backend when the screw is threaded into them. The backend actually flares out so much on the backend that it grips the back of the drywall to hold the screw firmly in place. To install a hollow wall anchor, again drill a pilot hole that is slightly larger than the hollow wall anchor itself.

Then install the hollow wall anchor into the hole, and while holding the anchor in place with one screwdriver or needle nose pliers, screw in the screw with another screwdriver. As the screw is threaded into the hollow wall anchor, the back side of the anchor will begin to flare out and snug up against the back side of the drywall.

Toggle Bolt Anchors A toggle bolt anchor works similar to the hollow wall anchor, however a toggle bolt is capable of holding slightly more weight. Toggle bolt anchors are also useful in applications where the wall hanging is frequently handled, e.g. a small bathroom towel rack. A toggle bolt wall anchor has a pair of metal wings that are spring loaded. To install a toggle bolt, drill a pilot hole that is just slightly larger than the maximum width of the wings when they are folded up around the bolt.

Next, remove the bolt from the wing assembly and slide a wall mounting bracket onto the bolt. Then thread the bolt back into the wing assembly.

Now squeeze the toggle wings together and push them and the end of the bolt through the pilot hole. Once the wings have been pushed through the pilot hole they will spring open.

Simply tighten up the bolt and the wings will flare up snuggly against the back of the drywall. Once the toggle bolt anchor has been fastened into place the wall hanging can then be attached to the wall mounting bracket.