Mirror, mirror...
Read more at The Rehomesteaders' blog:
http://therehomesteaders.blogspot.com/2013/08/133-years.html
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KMS Woodworks on Aug 13, 2013I have seen where a wire is slipped behind the mirror and is used to saw the adhesive. You may also have some better luck removing the drywall behind it and the mirror as a unit. I often use that trick when removing shower tile. Replacing a bit of drywall is better than picking up a million shards of glass.Helpful Reply
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Markeita on Aug 13, 2013Put plastic wrap on the mirror to make sure it comes off clean. Then tap on it to break hopefully it will come off with the least amount of mess.Helpful Reply
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Diane Carlisle on Aug 13, 2013I was thinking maybe evenly strip duct tape on the entire mirror before attempting to remove. The shards of glass would hopefully then stay attached to the tape. Good luck!Helpful Reply
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Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com on Aug 14, 2013Lots of duct tape and hammer. Put down disposable drop cloths to catch the shards of glass that the tape does not hold. once done throw away do not even attempt to clean. Once you expose the wall behind, you will then need to cut it away back to the framing and redo the wall. The black adhesive will not come off. This is not a fun or easy job to do. Be sure to wear all sorts of protective clothing, eye protection, heavy leather gloves, long sleeves and pants. The less skin exposed the better. In an attempt to remove larger sections, use a heat gun, a hair dryer will not be hot enough. And warm the glass up so it softens the adhesive that is bonding the glass to the wall. While a wire or actually a E wire from a piano is the glass mans method, Once its cracked the wire is really useless.Helpful Reply
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Hands On Home Improvements on Aug 14, 2013If you can get behind any of the mirrors with a shim(s), slowly tap the shim behind the mirror and you'll be able to hear the glue "popping", once you have enough space behind the mirror, a pry bar or hammer will give you extra leverage. I've removed lots of mirrors this way and very rarely break them. The tape on the front of the mirror is a good idea...just in case.Helpful Reply
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Jo Woodward on Aug 14, 2013We wanted to remove the bathroom mirrors and replace them with framed mirrors. The first on was a mess!!! Then we decided to cover the entire mirror with duct tape. We tapped the mirror with a hammer and broke it up, pried it from the wall, but it all came down without splintering. The third one came down in one piece.Helpful Reply
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Tegma on Aug 15, 2013HGTV always uses tape on their mirror removals. Crisscross it from corner to corner, and if mirror is very large, use even more tapings. They also use a rubber suction tool....don't know if you could rent one, but perhaps a plunger would work the same way. Suction to the mirror, then pull, after scissoring with a wire behind it.Helpful Reply
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Sheryll S on Aug 17, 2013I would NEVER take down mirrors..... I would embrace them.... some intricate molding, anything, but take them down.Helpful Reply
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Cecelia Dawes Fonte on Aug 19, 2013Go to youtube and look up mirror removal. You will find a couple of videos explaining how to remove mirrors from walls. I just removed 2 large, glued on mirrors and it was a lot easier than I thouoght.Helpful Reply
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Rhonda Nusom on Aug 19, 2013Use a piece of piano wire to cut glue loose.Also painters tape on the mirror surface to keep it from falling on you.Helpful Reply
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Sheryll S on Aug 31, 2013Oh dear, bad huh?Helpful Reply
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Sara Glenn on Jun 25, 2014Cover them with a thick paintable patterned wallpaper or gather some sheers over wire attatched top and bottom after you've taped up the broken parts. or just roll on thick wallpaper paste and use heavy fabric like upholstery fabric or home dec fabric.Helpful Reply
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Sara Glenn on Jun 25, 2014oops I just saw the date of this post. You've solved it by now I'm sure.Helpful Reply
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Robin Klinefelter Kerr on Jul 04, 2014For future reference, I had to do this in a mobile home once and after placing tape on it I used fishing line. You have to place it behind the mirror, and holding it in both gloved hands work it slowly down, like a saw, until it is free from the wall. Worked wonderfully for me with no damage to the wall.Helpful Reply
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Sylvia Stevens on Oct 15, 2014Used tape and wire worked fast and easy. Slide wire behind mirror and pull down.Helpful Reply
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Barb Burnham on Jan 16, 2015All of ours have gratefully come off whole, without tape or suction cups. At this point i'd go tape and work it easy from the back. Keep bigger pieces (not shards) for an exciting mosaic either for garden or indoors or both. Lovely for plant stand, for example. And, no edges once grouted in place.Helpful Reply
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4Real Linda on Jan 28, 2015I have removed plenty and only broke my first. Yes first step is always tape. To save money on painters tape use masking tape and a lot of it for safety. Cross cross patern and fill large gaps in vertical or horizontal as needed. Before removing use box cutter or razor blade to score wall seam as parallel as possible to avoid damage behind. Repeat this until u know the edges are free from surface and remove any silicone or glue/calk/paint on edge you can. If u have a putty knife u can try to slide it behind flush with back of mirror to free up som more. Try to find out if more glue was used?? Then gently remove if mirror is free from surface. Tape edges of cracked pieces so u don't cut yourself and wear gloves to throw away or save some pieces for mosaic art. Worst case wear gloves and protective eye gear and have fun. Take a crowbar or chisel and gamer and smash some anger out. If any problems please message meHelpful Reply
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Rsd1152999 on Jan 30, 2015Don't forget to wear safety glasses! You don't want a shard of glass in your eyes. Good luck!Helpful Reply
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Pauliegirl1 on Feb 06, 2015I used clear sticky back saran wrap?...but its the stuff they put down on NEW carpet to keep it clean while showing...or workers to walk on...you can get it at Lowes or Home Depot..it held all of the broken pieces!!Helpful Reply
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Barb Burnham on Feb 08, 2015And, it's expensive if you don't use it all or have other uses for it.Helpful Reply
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Sheryll S on Feb 10, 2015Rachel, what ever did you do? I see you had no carpet........still betting it was frightening to break down those mirrors. I have only had small experiences...... so wondering just how you did this? I have been lucky enough in the past to have big, but empty pup food bags to put glass chards into......... yikes.Helpful Reply
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Melissa Nelson on Feb 13, 2015I had the same problem in my home when we moved in! I covered them with duct tape...and i mean i completely covered them...then took a hammer and lightly broke them and they were much easier to take down because everything just stick to the tape. DO NOT USE THE CHEAP DUCT TAPE...IT'S DOESN'T WORK! They will come down in much bigger pieces if you don't go crazy with the hammer. Make sure you vacuum up the smaller pieces that do hit the ground. GOOD LUCK...I hope this helps you.Helpful Reply
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Cathy C on Jun 22, 2015You might try using a heat gun on them to soften the glue behind them?Helpful Reply
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Judi on Mar 20, 2016Be sure to ward off all evil spirits before taking down the mirrors***** we used a large putty knife to pry them loose***** very slowly.. to minimize breakage... plaster board will need repairs.Helpful Reply
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