Rawl plug repair in Exeter
Professional rawl plug repair services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
0.5-1 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Failed wall plugs replaced with proper fixings for your wall type - stripped holes repaired, hanging points secured properly so they actually hold.
When Wall Fixings Fail
Shelf bracket pulled out of the wall. Curtain pole sagging. Towel rail loose. Cabinet coming away from its fixings.
You've tried tightening the screws but they just spin. The wall plug has failed, the hole's enlarged, and tightening makes it worse.
Time to fix it properly with the right fixings for your wall type.
💡 Pro tip: Half of wall fixing failures are caused by using the wrong type of plug for the wall. Plasterboard needs different fixings to solid brick. Standard plastic plugs often aren't enough.
Why Fixings Fail
| Problem | Cause | Proper Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Screw spins | Plug worn or wrong size | Larger plug or different type |
| Pulled out of wall | Wrong fixing for wall type | Cavity fixings or proper masonry anchors |
| Chunks of wall came out | Overtightened or weak wall | Fill, repair, use better fixings |
| Never held properly | Cheap plastic in plasterboard | Metal cavity anchors |
What I'll Do
🔧 Proper Repair
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Assess the wall | Solid, cavity, plasterboard - determines fixing type |
| Repair damage | Fill holes if needed |
| Use right fixings | Appropriate for wall type and load |
| Refit item securely | Won't fail again |
📦 Result
- Fixings actually hold properly
- Wall damage repaired
- Right plugs for your wall type
- Secure for years of use
Typical Pricing
| Job | Time Needed | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Single fixing repair | 15-20 mins | £60 |
| Multiple fixings (shelf, rail, etc) | 30-45 mins | £60 |
| Extensive wall repair + refixing | 45-60 mins | £60 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour). Better fixings might cost a few extra quid, but they'll actually work.
Get It Fixed If...
✅ Screw spins in the hole
✅ Bracket pulled out of wall
✅ Tightening makes it worse
✅ Multiple fixings failed on same item
Why Choose Us for Rawl plug repair in Exeter?
Stripped holes repaired properly
Right fixings for wall type
Secure for years
Multiple fixings done efficiently
What to Expect
Step 1: Check The Wall
I'll work out what type of wall you've got and what's actually failed. Different walls need different approaches.
Step 2: Repair & Prepare
Fill damaged holes if needed, clean out failed fixings, prepare for proper repair.
Step 3: Refix Properly
Use the right fixings for your wall type and the weight being supported. Test it's secure before I finish.
🔧 DIY Tips
If you're repairing wall fixings yourself:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Drill with appropriate bits
- Right type of wall plugs/fixings
- Screwdriver
- Filler (for old holes)
- Tape measure
For different wall types
Solid walls (brick/block):
- Use brown or red wall plugs (stronger than white)
- Drill hole same depth as screw length
- Tight fit crucial - plug should need tapping in
- Don't drill into mortar joints
Cavity walls/plasterboard:
- Standard plugs DON'T WORK
- Need metal cavity anchors (spring toggles)
- Or find the wooden stud behind
- Or use special plasterboard fixings
Dot-and-dab plasterboard:
- This is plasterboard stuck to a wall with dabs of adhesive
- Tap it - hollow sound
- Either find the dabs/blockwork behind (long screws)
- Or use metal toggles
Repairing stripped holes
Option 1: Larger plug
- Drill the hole slightly larger
- Use next size up wall plug
- Only works if hole isn't too damaged
Option 2: Fill and re-drill
- Fill old hole with filler or wooden dowel + glue
- Let it cure completely (24 hours)
- Drill fresh hole in same spot
- Fit new plug
Option 3: Move it
- Fill old holes
- Move bracket/fixture up/down/sideways 2-3cm
- Fresh, undamaged wall
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Using wrong type of plug for wall
- Not drilling deep enough
- Drilling too large a hole
- Overtightening (expands plug and damages wall)
- Using plasterboard plugs in cavity walls (they fail)
💡 Pro trick: If you're not sure what type of wall you have, drill a small test hole somewhere hidden. Solid wall gives brick-red dust. Plasterboard gives white/grey powder. Cavity wall goes through plasterboard then hollow then hits solid.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🔧 Multiple fixings failed? If several plugs have failed on the same shelf or cabinet, it's probably because the wrong type was used originally. I'll replace them all with proper fixings at once.
Wall type matters: 90% of fixing failures are down to using standard plastic plugs in walls that need specialist fixings. Cavity walls, plasterboard, and dot-and-dab all need different approaches.
Load bearing: Heavy shelves, wall-hung TVs, kitchen cabinets - these need serious fixings, not standard wall plugs. Tell me what you're hanging and I'll use appropriate strength fixings.
Rental properties: If you're renting and want minimal damage, I can use the smallest fixings that'll do the job, and fill them neatly when you leave.
Old houses: Exeter's older properties often have lath-and-plaster walls (wooden strips with plaster over). These need careful fixing - I know how to deal with them without pulling chunks of plaster off.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's a rawl plug?
It's the plastic (or sometimes metal) insert that goes in a drilled hole to give the screw something to grip into. Called wall plugs, wall anchors, or rawl plugs (Rawlplug is actually a brand name that became generic, like Hoover).
Why do wall plugs fail?
Wrong size for the screw, wrong type for the wall, overtightened, or just worn out from repeated stress. Sometimes the original holes get enlarged and the plug just spins.
Can you repair the same hole?
Sometimes - if I use a larger plug or special repair fixings. Often better to fill the old hole and drill fresh ones nearby in undamaged wall.
What if it's pulled chunks out of the wall?
I'll fill the damage, let it set, then either drill fresh holes or use different fixing types that spread the load better.
How do I avoid this happening again?
Use the right size/type of plug for your wall and what you're hanging. Don't overtighten. And use multiple fixings for heavy items rather than one plug doing all the work.
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