Tightening A Loose Bathroom Wall Fixture

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.

Step 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.

Step 2: Remove the screw if possible by grasping its edges between your index finger and thumb and gently twisting until it comes loose.

Step 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.

Step 4:  Reinsert the screw into the hole in the base of the decorative arm or escutcheon.

Step 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.