How to Insert Hollow Wall Anchors

Hanging pictures and shelving on walls is not a problem when you have a stud to secure the screw. Most often though, the area where you want to hang an object does not have a stud and is instead a hollow wall. Hollow wall anchors are designed to support objects by spreading pressure against the back of the hollow wall panel. Light items such as pictures only require plastic anchors while heavier items such as mirrors or shelves benefit from the extra stability of a toggle anchor.

Toggle Bolts

• 1

  Make a mark on the wall with a pencil where you want to insert the wall anchor.

• 2

  Drill a hole through the wall with a bit that is the same diameter as the toggle wings are when folded. Most packages indicate what size bit to use for the toggle bolt. If unsure, fold the wing closed with your fingers to determine the bit size.

• 3

  Thread the screw through your object and into the toggle wing. The wings should fold in the direction of the screw head.

• 4

  Squeeze the wings together with your fingers and insert them into the hole. Push on the head of the screw until you feel and hear the toggle wing pop open inside the wall.

• 5

  Pull the screw toward you to secure the wing against the backside of the wall. Turn the screw clockwise with a Phillips-head screwdriver to tighten the object against the wall.

Plastic Sleeve Anchors

• 1

  Make the mounting mark on the wall with a pencil.

• 2

  Drill a hole through the wall with a bit slightly smaller than the plastic sleeve anchor.

• 3

  Insert the plastic sleeve anchor into the hole as far as you can. Tap the anchor flush against the wall with a hammer.

• 4

  Insert the screw through your object and secure the screw into the plastic anchor.