How to fix a loose toilet roll holder

EricL

Difficulty: Beginner

Loose toilet roll holders are a common problem, especially when they're mounted on plasterboard using lightweight fixings.

This guide shows how to securely reattach the holder using stronger wall anchors, ensuring a long-lasting fix.

Steps

Step 1

Remove the loose toilet roll holder.

Begin by carefully unscrewing the toilet roll holder from the wall. If the bracket is still partially attached, support it with one hand as you remove the screws to avoid further damaging the plasterboard.

Once removed, inspect the mounting bracket and note the spacing and size of the holes. This will be useful when reinstalling the holder.

1.1 TRH pulled out.png 1.2 Remove grub screw from bottom.png 1.3 Hook top of TRH.png 1.4 Remove loose top screw.png 1.5 Install bottom screw.png

Step 2

Assess the wall damage.

Take a close look at the condition of the plasterboard where the original fixings were installed. In some cases, the holes may just be slightly enlarged, which can still be reused with stronger fixings.

If the plasterboard is crumbling, cracked or the holes have widened significantly, you might need to repair the area or move the holder slightly to a new position.

2.3 Screw bottom wall mate.png 2.1 Observe and assess.png 2.2 Screw top wall mate.png

Step 3

Choose stronger plasterboard fixings.

Selecting more robust fixings than the original ones is important. Lightweight plastic wall plugs often fail in plasterboard over time. Instead, choose stronger alternatives such as Ramset WallMates, metal toggle bolts, spring toggles or hollow wall anchors. These are specifically designed for plasterboard and provide a much more secure and weight-bearing hold.

3.1 Wall Mate.png 3.2 Super Wallmate.png 3.3 Ramset universal.png 3.4 Round head spring toggle.png

Step 4

Repair damaged plasterboard.

If the existing holes are too damaged to reuse, fill them with a plasterboard repair compound (filler).

Once dry, sand the area smooth and touch up the paint if needed.

Rather than reinstalling over the repaired area, it’s best to choose a nearby location with undamaged plasterboard to reinstall the holder. Use the mounting bracket as a guide to mark the new hole positions on the wall.

4.1 Plaster holes.png 4.2 Sand surface.png 4.3 Paint surface.png

Step 5

Drill new holes and install fixings.

Using the correct drill bit for your chosen anchors, drill pilot holes at the marked positions.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installing the wall fixings - some might need to be screwed in, while others (like toggle bolts) need to be compressed or expanded inside the wall.

Ensure the fixings are securely in place before moving on to the final step.

5.1 Mark new position.png 5.2 Drill pilot hole.png 5.3 Press butterfly wings.png

Step 6

Reattach the toilet roll holder.

Once the new anchors are installed, line up the holder’s bracket with the holes and screw it in firmly. Make sure the holder sits flush against the wall, but avoid over-tightening, which could damage the plasterboard or strip the anchor threads. When properly fixed, the holder should feel stable and resist movement when used.

6.1 Install top screw.png 6.2 LIft and install TRH.png 6.3 Install grub screw.png 6.4 Toilet Roll Installed.png