How to Fix a Loose Toilet Paper Holder

Last Updated: July 21, 2022

Toilet paper holders are held in place by tiny screws that hold the decorative portion onto a wall bracket screwed into the wall. Normal pushing and pulling on the decorative arms during the placing and removing of toilet paper rolls can loosen the screws that hold the roll in place, making the holder too loose to do its job. Correct this problem as soon as it is noticed to avoid a bigger repair.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Fixing a Slightly Loose Toilet Paper Holder

If you catch the loosening quickly enough, you can easily repair it in minutes with the right tools.

1
Examine the underside of the loose arm or escutcheon. There should be a small hole with a screw inside it. This screw may or may not have a traditional "head" to it.^{[1]
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2
Remove the screw if possible by grasping its edges between your index finger and thumb and gently twisting until it comes loose.^{[2]
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3
Take the screw down to the hardware store to get the correctly sized screwdriver to reinstall it tightly. These screws may take an eyeglass screwdriver or they may take a small Allen key; each manufacturer uses a different type of screw.^{[3]
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4
Reinsert the screw into the hole in the base of the decorative arm or escutcheon.
5
Insert the screwdriver or Allen key into the screw and tighten it firmly until the toilet paper holder is firmly back on the wall.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Fixing a Very Loose Toilet Paper Holder

If the loose holder isn't fixed right away, the downward pressure of the loose arm may make the screw in the wall loosen as well. This may force the screw downward into the plaster, making a larger hole than the screw requires.

1
Locate the screws on the bottom of the decorative arm or escutcheon.^{[4]
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2
Remove the screws and set them aside.
3
Lift off the decorative portion of the toilet paper off the bracket holding it to the wall.
4
Unscrew the bracket from the wall and set the pieces aside.
5
Insert a wall anchor into the hole in the wall where the bracket screws had been. Make sure the wall anchor is large enough to fill the hole so the screw will fit tightly.^{[5]
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6
Replace the wall bracket and screw it back into place.
7
Tighten the screws on the bracket.
8
Replace the decorative portion of the toilet paper holder on the bracket.^{[6]
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9
Tighten the small screws at the base of the arm or escutcheon to hold the toilet paper holder firmly in place.^{[7]
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Community Q&A

Question

Why is the water level in the toilet bowl very low?

Community Answer

Because you have a venting problem in your plumbing system. Some other fixture is siphoning out and through the toilet. It could be a blockage in the venting, or it could be a lack of venting entirely, or just inadequate venting and the toilet is siphoning itself upon each flush. You'll want to fix that.

Warnings

Don't move the toilet paper holder's location unless you are unable to get the wall anchor to hold properly. The decorative part of the toilet paper holder may not be able to cover the old holes, leaving them visible.

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