The great thing about hollow wall anchors is that they provide a cheap, fast method for attaching heavy items to stud-framed walls.

There are many types of such wall anchor devices, and each works slightly differently. So what happens when you want to change the location of a family photo or mirror?

Some plastic, cone-shaped, expanding anchors can be pulled out from the front of the wall.

But flanged wall anchors can’t be pulled out intact, because the four folding arms lock up against the inside of the wall.

Here’s how to remove one.

1. To remove an expanding wall anchor, grab, bend and snap off the flange using long-nosed pliers. Avoid digging the pliers into the wall itself.

2. Push the anchor body into the wall cavity with a nail. Repair the wall with patching compound, then apply some touch-up paint to the spot.