I need to remove a mirror (about 4’*3′) that is attached to drywall. The mirror is between two walls in a bathroom. The left, right and top sides of the mirror have about 1/2 inch of clearance and the bottom sits on a buildin dresser.
Does any one have any suggestions how I can remove this mirror without breaking the mirror.
Listeners write in about ventilation and radon control and ask questions about tightening basement garages, ventilation solutions, and safer paint stripper.
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial NowGet instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
Replies
If it's attached with adhesive, use piano wire and slice your way through. Just be sure to support the mirror while cutting.
Get a pair of those suction cup holders. You're fingers will have a hard time between the edges and the wall otherwise.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=br_ss_hs/102-7738001-0522509?platform=gurupa&url=index%3Dtools&keywords=suction+cup
Check the walls for square. I had a situation once where the front of the opening was a tad smaller than the back wall (where the mirror was attached). That coupled with not having the suction cups ended up in 7 years of bad luck. Luckily, no one was cut (and those mirror shards can do some SERIOUS damage.)
Pete Duffy, Handyman
Whatever you use, wear heavy gloves, eye protection and something to protect the rest of you from broken glass, just in case you are unsuccessful in removing it in one piece.
Go to the thrift store and buy an old ratty looking heavy blanket.
Cover the mirror with it.
After donning suitable protective gear as described in earlier posts, take a hammer to the blanket so as to break the mirror.
Sweep up.
Throw away old ratty looking heavy blanket.
Oh...."without breaking the mirror"....then never mind.
:)
Rich Beckman
Another day, another tool.
I recently removed several large (4' x 8') mirrors as part of my remodel. The suction cups are very helpful (you can rent them), but may not be necessary for a mirror only 4' x 3' in size, since it's not so heavy. I was able to just gently pry the mirror edge with my fingertips and pop the adhesive off the wall with steady pressure. The adhesive (6" circles spaced about every 18") remained stuck to the back of the mirror, and did take some chunks out of the drywall surface. I was tearing out the drywall too, so that was not a problem in my case.
Be careful to wear eye protection and gloves in case you break it, and good luck!
Back when I was doing a lot of remodeling work, I took a scrap bit of aluminum angle and screwed that to some scrap plywood. The plywood had a couple of hand-holds cut out of it (some evene deliberate).
In a tight spot, like the one you describe, I'd set the gizmo against the mirror with the lip of the angle under the bottom edge of the mirror. Then, you do the wire trick to get the mirror away from the wall. Looping the wire up near the top of the mirror, you could then tip the mirror against the plywood. That lets you handle the mirror without flexing the glass very much at all (and keeping, generally, your fingers out of possibly still sticky mastic).
Might be a lot of work for just one mirror.
Oh, and Welcome to BT!
I've removed many mirrors and it's amazing how easy they tend to pull off without breaking. Be prepared for the worst, though.
http://grungefm.com
Guys, thanks for your inputs all let you all know how it goes
If you can get long shims behind the mirror they will help immensely just keep alternating pushing them in also get a couple of rolls of the blue painters tape in wide rolls and cover the whole mirror so if it breaks it doesn't go everywhere.
ANDYSZ2WHY DO I HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT BEING A SOLE PROPRIETOR IS A REAL JOB?
REMODELER/PUNCHOUT SPECIALIST