I recently noticed that the screws on my girlfriend's wall-mounted desk, which we got from Facebook Marketplace, became loose after a heavy water bottle fell off. We managed to screw them back in temporarily, but they don't feel very secure, and we're worried about their long-term stability. The desk is attached to the studs in the wall, and we don't want to take it down completely. What's the best way to make sure these screws stay in place? Should we use stud anchors, new screws, or something else?
3 Answers
First off, make sure those screws are really going into the studs. If they ripped out, the holes might be too big now. You could try using larger screws like lag bolts to fill the gap and provide better support.
If you’re certain the screws are in the studs, maybe you’re using screws that are too short. You could try remounting in new holes for extra security. Alternatively, mixing sawdust with wood glue and filling the old holes before screwing back in could work—though that’s not official advice!
I’d recommend heading to the hardware store for some longer screws. Bring the ones you have to get advice on the right size for the weight on the desk. Just double-check if they’re really anchored into a stud!
Sounds like a creative fix, but remember it may not hold forever! Just keep an eye on it.