There are several reasons why you may need to remove your towel bar from the wall. Maybe you’re giving your bathroom a new look and want to put in new things. Or maybe the towel bar is loose, broken, or just in a bad spot.
Whatever your reasons, removing a towel bar is usually a quick and straightforward task. In this guide, we’ll show you how to remove your towel bar easily and safely.
Why Do You Want to Remove Your Towel Bar?
There are a few reasons why you may want to remove an existing towel bar from your bathroom or kitchen wall:
- You’re renovating and want to install new things for a fresh look.
- The current towel bar is loose, broken or doesn’t match your décor anymore.
- The wall behind the towel bar has some holes or marks that need to be fixed.
- You simply feel like changing things up!
Whatever the reason, removing towel bar is a relatively straightforward task that most people can tackle.
What You’ll Need
Before starting the removal process, make sure you have the following tools and materials on hand:
- Flat pry bar
- Flathead Screwdriver
- Drywall spackling compound
- Sandpaper
- Drop cloths/protection for floors and countertops
- Stud finder (optional)
Step By Step Process
Below is a step-by-step guide to smoothly removing your wall-mounted towel bar:
Step 1: Gather the Necessary Tools and Materials
Assemble all the tools and materials you’ll need for removal process. This includes protective gear like gloves and safety goggles as well as the tools listed above.
Before you start removing process, make sure there is enough space around you to move freely. Cover the floor below the towel bar with drop cloths to prevent damage during the removal process.
Step 2: Protect Surrounding Surfaces
To remove your towel bar safely, take a few minutes to do the following:
- Clear the area around the towel bar. This will allow you to easily move the tools you need and detach the bar from the wall mounts or brackets.
- Cover nearby countertops, floors or furniture with drop cloths
- Have a step stool or small ladder ready if needed to reach the wall mounts
- Put on protective gloves, eyewear and clothing to prevent injury
Properly setting up your workspace helps prevent accidents and damage to surrounding bathroom or kitchen surfaces.
Step 3: Locate and Remove the Mounting Hardware
The next step is to remove the screws, bolts or other mounting hardware that secure the towel bar and brackets to the wall.
- Starting with just one bracket, locate the screw heads.
- Using the appropriate screwdriver, loose and remove the screws.
- Carefully pull the bracket away and set it aside.
- Repeat the process to remove mounting hardware and the second bracket on the opposite wall.
Be careful not to scrape the walls with the ends of the brackets. Taking out screws or other hardware is usually easy if you have the right tools.
Step 4: Detach the Towel Bar from the Wall Brackets or Mounts
With mounting screws and brackets removed, you can now detach the towel rod itself. Gripping with both hands, use careful force to slide the rod out of the passive brackets.
If your towel rack is stuck, it might be due to rust, corrosion, or paint buildup. Here are a few steps you can try to loosen it:
- Wiggle it gently side to side while pulling outward.
- Insert a flat pry bar into the space between the rod and passive bracket to gently lever and loosen the piece for removal.
- Apply penetrating oil or lubricant to help loosen the joint.
Step 5: Patch and Repair any Holes or Damage on the Wall
Repair any holes, cracks or damage left behind using:
- Drywall spackling compound to patch holes.
- Sand Paper over hardened compound to smooth cracks or uneven areas.
- Paint or color-matched markers to cover repaired spots.
Restoring the wall surface leaves your bathroom looking fresh and new. Consider adding a fresh coat of paint for a complete transformation.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Removing an existing towel bar doesn’t always go smoothly. Here are some common problems DIYers encounter, along with tips to address them:
1) Rusty Screws
If screw heads are rusted, don’t force them. Instead:
- Put something that loosens rust on them and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Oil or Lubricant.
- Gently tap the screwdriver tip into the screw head to help break the rust seal.
- Push down firmly while slowly turning the screwdriver
2) Paint Buildup Sealing the Towel Bar to Brackets
Excess layers of paint over time can seal metal joints tightly together. To separate:
- Carefully slide a flat pry bar into the crevice and gently twist to break the paint seal.
- Rotate/twist the towel rod while pulling firmly outward.
- Apply heat from a hairdryer to soften the paint grip around brackets.
3) Drywall Tears Around Bracket Holes During Removal
Using proper tools and methods prevents tearing drywall facing paper when removing brackets. If minor tearing still occurs:
- Sand any rough edges around holes once bracket is detached.
- Fill holes with drywall spackle paste, and let it dry completely.
- Smooth the area with fine grit sandpaper before you paint over it.
Conclusion
With these easy steps, you can take down your old towel bar and get your wall ready for a new one. In the same spot, you can put up a new towel rack, hooks, or something else you like.
Or leave the wall clear of hardware and enjoy the simplified, clean aesthetic of a blank wall adding visual space. The freedom to renovate and rearrange your home’s style starts with taking out the old.
FAQs
How do you remove a towel bar from the wall without screws?
If your towel bar has no visible screws and is mounted using adhesive, you can remove it by sliding a thin tool like a putty knife between the bar and the wall. Gently pry along the bar to break the adhesive seal. Go slowly to prevent damage. For some pressure-mounted bars with spring tension, you may then be able to pop it off the brackets.
How do you remove a towel bar that has no visible screws?
If screws are hidden, try using a strong magnet to locate them behind the brackets. Run the magnet over the wall in the areas where you expect screws. Instead, you can try using dental floss or a thin wire to cut through the paint that is sticking the towel bar to the brackets.
How do towel racks come off the wall?
Towel racks can come off the wall in a variety of ways. The most common method is to remove the screws that hold the brackets to the wall. If the towel rack is glued to the wall, you may need to use a pry bar or a heat gun to remove it.
Is there a way to remove a towel bar without damaging the wall?
Yes, there are a few ways to remove a towel bar without damaging the wall. One method is to use a pry bar to gently pry the towel bar away from the wall. Another method is to use a heat gun to soften the adhesive that holds the towel bar to the wall.
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