Porcelain towel bar an TP holder removal

[Walleye Guy]

We are remodeling a small main level half bath. We will be putting in a new towel bar and toilet paper holder. The current fixtures appear to be porcelain or something that resembles it. The towel bar is mounted to a drywall covered wall and the toilet paper holder is mounted to the wooden vanity cabinet.

It appears that both fixtures are stuck to their respective surfaces using some type of adhesive. They are no screws to remove on either one. What is the best way to remove these from the wall and cabinet? I am not real concerned about messing up the drywall. Although I would like to avoid punching two large holes in it. I am more concerned about successfully removing the toilet paper holder as I do not want to damage the cabinet. I am not sure the replacement will have the same form so I don't know if I can successfully cover a big flaw or hole.

I was going to try and slip a wide mudding knife behind them and see what happens but thought I was to see if anybody else has successfully removed these.

[Snowking]

I just did this. Used a razor blade knife and scored it. Used the putty knife and pryed it off the wall. One came off nice the other didn't. The TP holder came off easily but the stain was was way darker so I trashed the cabinet and will get one made soon. You could but one that cuts into the cabinets they are about 8 inches tall and will cover up the spot where the old one was. Good luck

[PurpleFloyd]

If I were you I would just get them off any way you can. If it is an adhesive, you can try some of the orange power or equivalent citrus scented adhesive removers ( 3M makes one sold at big box stores by the contact adhesive) and spray that on the top back and let it soak and it will release if that is what is holding it. Sometimes once you get it started from the top, a few shots of the adhesive remover loosens things up quickly and you are done.

After that what I would do is get a few boards of the same species as the rest of the wood in the bath and cut it to the length of the towel bar plus 3 inches and then the towel bar mounting bracket height plus 3 inches and then make a decorative profile on it with a router, stain it to match the rest of the trim, mount the bracket to it and then use trim head screws to mount the board to the wall into studs. You generally will hit one stud and might hit 2 by doing this and it will be solid. Then do the same thing with the TP holder only make it square in the proportions that look good, mount the holder to the board and then attach the board to the side of the cabinet by running screws through the inside of the cabinet and into the board so you have no visible fasteners.

That will cover any damage, make a very strong holder, and give it a customized look all at once.

[Surface Tension]

Scouring and a stiff putty knife will work.

Or if you have an oscillating tool now would be a perfect time to use it.

[delcecchi]

Harbor freight has a pretty nice oscillating multitool for a good price. Perfect excuse.

[Dave]

I have ceramic holders and there's a bracket mounted on the wall that the ceramic part slides down onto. Sure they're mounted with adhesive? I can't see how the sheetrock face wouldn't peel away if just glued on.

[Tom7227]

I have ceramic holders and there's a bracket mounted on the wall that the ceramic part slides down onto. Sure they're mounted with adhesive? I can't see how the sheetrock face wouldn't peel away if just glued on.

I agree. If the house is old enough to have these type of fixtures it's too old for any kind of adhesive that would last that long, especially the one that's on the wood. Try tapping them from the bottom and see if they don't move up. Should be a small plate, maybe an inch or so wide that has a couple wings on it that fit into the back of the fixture.

I would bet that as mentioned the wood will be discolored under it so you are going to have to deal with that.

[Walleyehooker]

More than likely they are glued on. Just work something thin like a putty knife to get them off. If there is a hanger plate you would be able to see it from underneath it.

[jentz]

Dave and tom 7227 are probably right,First if they have been painter around,papered,a finish,use a exacto knife and score around the edges,Then take a rubber maller and give them a wack straight up,They should come off and the hanging hardware will be exposed,Which will probably be machine screws with a type of spreading anchor behind the wall.

edit>>> I will add that the glue on porcelain TP and towel racks were made for doing tiled walls.The plain wall mounts all have hardware mounts.It is possable a glue on was used if someone didnt know ,Had one around and used what was there.Knock it up and find out.

[Walleye Guy]

There is no gap on the bottom of the fixtures that would allow them to slide on to a hardware mount in any way. On the toilet paper holder I can see the area where it is mounted on the cabinet from the inside of the cabinet. There are no screws or anchors that would indicate there is some type of mounting hardware being utilized. I don't have that visibility on the towel bar.

The house was built in 1993.

Thanks for your insights.

[Dave]

There is no gap on the bottom of the fixtures that would allow them to slide on to a hardware mount in any way.

My round ceramic towel holders do not have any "gaps" on the bottom and I can't see any screws in the cabinet paper holder either but I know mine slide on the bracket because I installed 'em.

[CAMAN]

Why not just take a hammer and bust em up? If they have a bracket behind them you'll find out soon enough. If they are glued in place you can start chipping everything away. It shouldn't be that difficult, demolition should be the easiest part of any job.

[SkunkedAgain]

demolition should be the easiest part of any job.

It usually is because the demolition was hastily done with less thought to the aftermath!

[Walleye Guy]

I'm trying to keep it from being a demolition! Hoping for more of a damage free removal!

I will start with the razor knife and a wide putty knife and then maybe a few upward taps with a mallet and see where I get!

[JeremyCampbell]

Just hang a picture over it,no one will notice.

[blakjack23]

All of them like this that I have taken off were glued onto the vanity and wall. Some had a nail behind them, probably to keep it there while the glue set. A 2x4 and a mallet gets them off. With some clean up needed afterwards.

[polarsusd81]

Just be careful and wear some heavy duty leather gloves when you remove it. A buddy pulled one off his vanity and it shattered, sending a share right through his thumb, nearly severed it. About six months of surgeries, physical therapy, and 5000 in medical bills with insurance, and he is now about 90% of what he could do before. Porcelain can be some nasty stuff if you aren't careful.