How To Prevent Temporary Hooks From Damaging Your Walls

Want to hang a fall wreath on the front door or some garlands along the living room wall? Temporary hooks can be a cure-all for placing holiday decor. They’re also perfect if you don’t have any tools or don’t want to make holes in your walls. But, before you stick them on, it’s good to know how to prevent temporary hook damage.

“Temporary hooks are quite easy to find, especially as renter-friendly home trends have risen over the years,” says home lifestyle expert Julian Thomas. “The key to preventing wall damage is all about surface prep, weight limits, removal technique and patience.”

Here’s more about the different types of temporary hooks, what surfaces they can be used on and how to prevent temporary hook damage.

Types of Temporary Hooks

• Adhesive strip hooks use pressure-sensitive glues and work best on smooth, non-porous surfaces like painted drywall, glass and tile. Some have adhesives designed for specific environments, like bathrooms or outdoors.
• Suction hooks create a vacuum-like seal between the surface and the hook. They work best on smooth surfaces like mirrors, windows and tiles.
• Magnetic hooks stick to ferrous surfaces like steel and iron, including some refrigerator doors, filing cabinets and exterior doors.

All hooks can potentially damage surfaces, but adhesive hooks are the biggest culprits, says home renovations expert Eric Kotlyar. “When they are left on too long or applied to textured, painted or delicate surfaces, removal can peel paint, produce a sticky residue or tear the drywall paper layer,” he says.

How to Prevent Temporary Hooks From Damaging Your Walls

Adhesive Hooks

To prevent temporary hook damage, do not use adhesive hooks on textured walls, wallpaper or walls that were painted less than a week ago. Test the adhesive on an inconspicuous area first and adhere to the hook’s specified weight limit. Also, before placing it, clean the surface with rubbing alcohol.

“Strictly follow the manufacturer’s instructions, since they know their products best,” says property maintenance expert Ron Shimek. “Also, most hooks need to cure for about an hour before any tension is exerted on them.”

Suction Hooks

Suction hooks are unlikely to damage walls. A more common scenario is that they slip down the wall, damaging whatever items are hanging from them. That’s why it’s important not to exceed their weight limit. For best adhesion, wipe both the suction cup and the surface with a damp cloth to remove dust. “If the hook starts slipping, reattach it instead of forcing it tighter, as air pockets are what cause the failure,” says Thomas.

Magnetic Hooks

Metal hooks are prone to scratching surfaces when you remove them, so the best way to prevent damage is to place painter’s tape or a thin layer of felt between the magnet and the surface (assuming your magnet is strong enough to still work with that obstruction). Also, only use them on flat surfaces and clean the magnet and metal surface beforehand.

How to Remove Temporary Hooks Without Damaging Your Walls

There is one cardinal rule for removing temporary hooks: “Do not yank them at all!” says Shimek. “The idea is to be patient and take it slow so as not to damage what is beneath the surface.”

• Adhesive hooks: Slowly pull straight down along the wall, stretching the adhesive to release it. Never pull straight out. If one is stubborn, point a hair dryer at it for 20 to 30 seconds, then use dental floss to work behind the hook, says Thomas.
• Suction hooks: Don’t yank. Instead, gently pry them from the edges to release the vacuum. A card or butter knife can help.”Twisting to release may also cause marks,” says Kotlyar.
• Magnetic hooks: Lift straight upward, and don’t drag them along the surface. Also, don’t pull directly forward, and it could hurt you when it pops off.

Are Temporary Hooks Better Than Standard Hooks?

It depends. Temporary hooks are nice for short-term uses and lightweight items like seasonal decorations. They are also easy because they don’t require tools or leave behind holes in the wall. However, screw-in hooks, nails and screws are often better for long-term hanging and heavy objects.

FAQ

How long is “temporary”? Is it safe to leave these hooks up year-round?

Some people use adhesive hooks indefinitely, but Kotlyar recommends taking them down every six months, since any longer than that can risk damaging the paint, or making the residue harder to clean up. Suction hooks usually lose grip after a month or two, and then need to be reset. Magnetic hooks can be left indefinitely, so long as the metal surface is not scratched or rusted.

About the Experts

• Eric Kotlyar is a design contractor and home renovations expert at True Form. He has more than a decade of experience across residential, commercial and government projects.
• Ron Shimek is president of Mr. Handyman, a leading commercial and residential property maintenance, repair and improvement company. Mr. Handyman is a Neighborly company.
• Julian Thomas is a DIY enthusiast, home lifestyle expert and content creator known for his budget-friendly home improvement projects. He’s also a partner with Command Brand from 3M, which offers temporary hanging strips and hooks.

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