How To Easily Remove A Toilet Paper Holder That Doesn't Have Any Set Screws

Updating your toilet paper holder is a fun and inexpensive way to decorate your bathroom and pull the design together. But, simple as it may seem, even something like removing the existing toilet paper holder can make the project unexpectedly challenging. After all, manufacturers want their holders to look good, and exposed hardware doesn't help in that regard. Hiding the mounting screws significantly cleans up the aesthetic. As a result, the lack of access can leave many homeowners scratching their heads as they try to figure out how to get the old holder off the wall.

Installing a toilet paper holder typically involves screwing brackets to the wall. The toilet paper holder attaches to these, with the arms encasing the brackets to conceal them. To lock them in place, the arms often have a small set screw on the underside that you can release with a screwdriver or Allen wrench. But in some instances, you may find an open hole in the set screw's place. For these, you'll need to push the tab inside the hole and work the holder free. Even trickier are some rare styles have no access hole at all. It can seem confusing, but these styles are easy to undo when you know how they work.

To reach the hidden screws holding the toilet paper holder bracket in the wall, check the underside of the holder's arms close to the wall for a small access hole where the set screw would normally sit. You only have to put a small screwdriver or any tool that will fit in the hole to release a clip fixing the holder to the wall-mounted bracket. Rocking the arm up and down will wiggle it loose and allow you to pull it away from the wall. Watch for any wall paint that might have stuck to the arm. To stop it from peeling when you loosen the toilet paper holder, slice the paint where it meets the back of the holder with an X-acto or pocket knife as you take the dispenser off the wall. 

If you see no set screw or access hole under the holder, you may have to lift and slide the toilet paper holder off its mount. Try pushing the arm up where it meets the wall, tilting it forward, and bringing it down to ease it from the wall. With the holder off, you can tighten the bracket screws if you're simply trying to fix a loose toilet paper holder. Or, unscrew the brackets and install a brand new holder to get the fit and function you want.