Drywall repair and hook installation
February 26, 2023 10:12 AM Subscribe
A key towel hook popped out, leaving a big hole -- should I replace it, or if not, can I reuse the hole?
I'm in a rented apartment where the last tenant fixed up the bathroom with their own things, such that the management company doesn't like to fix those fittings, and I don't want to bother them anyway if I don't have to.
Here's a picture. (Command strip for substitute, of course.) This hook had been trying to fall out for ages, and finally did. There doesn't seem to have been wood behind it. I never wanted to ask maintenance about it, since I hadn't done anything to "provoke" it, plus a wobbly towel hook has never been on my list of priorities after I get dressed. I really need a towel hook right in that spot outside the shower, though. But how do I fix it? Do I stick that back in and glue it with epoxy? Do I do a drywall repair patch and then reinstall the hook in the new repaired spot? I'd like to get as much deposit back as I can.
I'm in a rented apartment where the last tenant fixed up the bathroom with their own things, such that the management company doesn't like to fix those fittings, and I don't want to bother them anyway if I don't have to.
Here's a picture. (Command strip for substitute, of course.) This hook had been trying to fall out for ages, and finally did. There doesn't seem to have been wood behind it. I never wanted to ask maintenance about it, since I hadn't done anything to "provoke" it, plus a wobbly towel hook has never been on my list of priorities after I get dressed. I really need a towel hook right in that spot outside the shower, though. But how do I fix it? Do I stick that back in and glue it with epoxy? Do I do a drywall repair patch and then reinstall the hook in the new repaired spot? I'd like to get as much deposit back as I can.
Best answer: toggle-bolts are what were used to initially install it, but it looks like the one toggle wing (the springy wide piece screwed onto the threads) that came out was never pushed in far enough to open up, so only the other toggle wing was ever holding up the mount. over time and usage the one toggle wing worked lose and fell off behind the wall. if there was wood behind it the installer would probably just used standard screws. togglebolts are the perfect application for low-load installations into bare sheetrock.
you can easily re-install that with proper toggle bolts and not worry with epoxy or sheetrock patching. as long as the sheetrock isn't completely crumbling you can probably use the existing holes, just need a couple toggle bolts.
How to Use Toggle Bolts [Handyman's Daughter]
credentials: i use togglebolts frequently to mount things like TVs and swing-arms for computer monitors to sheetrock.
posted by glonous keming at 10:39 AM on February 26, 2023 [2 favorites]
you can easily re-install that with proper toggle bolts and not worry with epoxy or sheetrock patching. as long as the sheetrock isn't completely crumbling you can probably use the existing holes, just need a couple toggle bolts.
How to Use Toggle Bolts [Handyman's Daughter]
credentials: i use togglebolts frequently to mount things like TVs and swing-arms for computer monitors to sheetrock.
posted by glonous keming at 10:39 AM on February 26, 2023 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Were they not installed all the way and the wings never expanded?
The one still attached to its bolt definitely did not expand, the other must have dropped into the void after having gotten undone (unscrewed too far is the only possibility there).
It could be that the thickness of the drywall plus the mounting plate for the hook plus the depth required for the wings to come free of the hole was more than the length of the bolt allowed, but IME that's rarely the problem. More like someone being unaccustomed how these fasteners work, and tightening the bolt without the wings fully expanded can feel like they're good when they aren't, the tips sitting on the edge of the hole with just enough resistance. Over time the edge crumbles, and the bolt comes out.
The one with the wings still present can be reused, but you may want to get two new ones with somewhat longer bolts.
posted by Stoneshop at 11:01 AM on February 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
The one still attached to its bolt definitely did not expand, the other must have dropped into the void after having gotten undone (unscrewed too far is the only possibility there).
It could be that the thickness of the drywall plus the mounting plate for the hook plus the depth required for the wings to come free of the hole was more than the length of the bolt allowed, but IME that's rarely the problem. More like someone being unaccustomed how these fasteners work, and tightening the bolt without the wings fully expanded can feel like they're good when they aren't, the tips sitting on the edge of the hole with just enough resistance. Over time the edge crumbles, and the bolt comes out.
The one with the wings still present can be reused, but you may want to get two new ones with somewhat longer bolts.
posted by Stoneshop at 11:01 AM on February 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thank y'all so much! Stoneshop: I think I will get new ones. I seem to remember something going "clunk" inside the wall there once, although I may be thinking of the time that definitely happened with the plastic anchor of a file rack I put up. (That's fine for now, though. I hope.) If so, that must have been the other toggle bolt.
glonous keming: that's a really handy link for it -- thanks!
rhizome: if I don't use a California patch here, it's definitely going to come in handy elsewhere around the place!
posted by Countess Elena at 11:11 AM on February 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
glonous keming: that's a really handy link for it -- thanks!
rhizome: if I don't use a California patch here, it's definitely going to come in handy elsewhere around the place!
posted by Countess Elena at 11:11 AM on February 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
I'm not in construction, but 5/8" drywall is pretty much the thickest I know about being used in standard places, and in a rental I'd guess they're using 1/2". I've never seen a toggle bolt with anything shorter than a 3" screw, so thickness is likely never going to be a problem. What I bet might have happened, because I have a hazy memory of doing the same, is that they wanted to move or remove the hook, started unscrewing one side, they hear the wings fall down inside the wall and freak out that something catastrophic happened, and they just went with the one good one that probably got cinched up against the plate before/during install and turned into a weak wedge or insert, never having been pushed all the way past the drywall, and then the other screw just hung in there, being wobbly. Sorry, I get carried away imagining detective stuff. Anyway, I only say get a new set because unless you go to an independent hardware store, you might not be able to buy just one. Plus I'm matchy.
And oops, just looked up molly bolt. My mistake!
posted by rhizome at 12:13 PM on February 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
And oops, just looked up molly bolt. My mistake!
posted by rhizome at 12:13 PM on February 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: One thing I haven't seen mentioned: You may already be aware, but in your photo, you can see a small set screw on the underside of the towel rack. If you undo that (usually either a small allen wrench or a small flat head screwdriver), you will be able to remove the center mounting plate from the main body of the towel hook, which will allow you to secure the plate to the wall first, then reinstall the hook and tighten the set screw to secure it.
posted by yuwtze at 11:11 AM on February 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by yuwtze at 11:11 AM on February 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thank you! I was hoping to figure out a way to do that --
posted by Countess Elena at 3:19 PM on February 27, 2023
posted by Countess Elena at 3:19 PM on February 27, 2023
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Repairwise that's a textbook case for a small California patch, but that wall looks kind of textured so it'll take a little doing if you want it to really blend in (and there are YouTubes about that).
posted by rhizome at 10:33 AM on February 26, 2023 [2 favorites]