As a DIYer, you can mount curtain rods, mirrors, and medium-weight fixtures onto drywall using molly bolts, a type of drywall anchor. In 4 simple steps, you can install a molly bolt using basic tools.
Molly bolts are one of the most common types of drywall anchors that enable you to mount medium-weight fixtures onto drywall. They have a hollow middle that grip the screw once they’re driven into the wall. While an affordable and durable material made of gypsum, drywall has a limited amount of weight it can hold before crumbling or cracking.
Read More: How Do Drywall Anchors Work?
You can mount curtain rods, large picture frames, mirrors, and other medium-weight fixtures using a molly bolt in 4 steps with tools you may already have in your toolbox:
Tools needed:
- Pencil
- Measuring tape (optional)
- Masking tape
- Drill
- Drill bit
- Molly bolt
- Screw
- Screwdriver or screwdriver bit
Step 1: Prepare the Mounting Location
Identify where you’ll mount the heavy item on your wall. You may use a tape measure for more precise placement, especially if you already have wall fixtures in the surrounding area. Place masking tape on the drywall to mark the item’s edges to help you visualize the mounting location and make any necessary adjustments.
Once you’ve mapped out the item’s dimensions, mark the object’s center with a pencil and remove the masking tape.
Step 2: Drill the Pilot Hole
Pre-drilling a guide or pilot hole using a drill bit slightly smaller than the width of the molly bolt to ensure the pilot hole can firmly grip the molly bolt. Use the object’s center you marked with a pencil as a point of reference, then slowly drill until around ½ inches deep into the wall to avoid hitting electrical wires or plumbing in the wall.
Safety Tip: Wear goggles and a dust or face mask to protect yourself from debris and dust from the drywall.
If you have self-drilling anchors that you want to install, you can skip pre-drilling.
Learn More: How to Use Self-Drilling Drywall Anchors
Step 3: Insert the Molly Bolt
Insert the molly bolt’s pointed tip into the hole and lightly tap it with a hammer or the end of a screwdriver until it is flush with the wall. The same procedure applies if you are using a flat-tipped molly bolt.
Step 4: Drive the Screw into the Hole
Once the molly bolt is flush with the wall, insert the screw clockwise into the hollow middle of the molly bolt using a screwdriver or screwdriver bit. The molly bolt will expand in the drywall as you do this. Do not overtighten the screwdriver to avoid damaging the drywall.
Pro Tip: Molly bolts are usually sold in packs that include screws that fit perfectly into them. Using the provided hardware will make the installation easier.
As your journey as a DIYer begins, you may need more than one attempt to do the job right. Don’t worry! If you need to remove a drywall anchor, such as a molly bolt, it’s easy to patch and repair the hole in the drywall.
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Main Image Credit: ANDY RELY / Adobe Stock / License
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