Mirror, mirror...
by
Rachael
+31
Anyone have any luck removing (a lot) of mirrors? I have a mirrored column in my house that screams 70's. I'd love to take it down and replace it with something a little more subdued but the parts I've tried chip and shatter into teeny, tiny shards. I'm looking at about 133 years of bad luck if all of them break! ;)
Read more at The Rehomesteaders' blog:
http://therehomesteaders.blogspot.com/2013/08/133-years.html
Read more at The Rehomesteaders' blog:
http://therehomesteaders.blogspot.com/2013/08/133-years.html
The infamous mirror column...
Not having much luck removing them in one piece!
24 answers
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I 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.
KMS Woodworks
on Aug 13, 2013
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Put 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.
Markeita
on Aug 13, 2013
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I 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!
Diane Carlisle
on Aug 13, 2013
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Lots 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.
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com
on Aug 14, 2013
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If 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.
Hands On Home Improvements
on Aug 14, 2013
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We 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.
Jo Woodward
on Aug 14, 2013
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HGTV 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.
Tegma
on Aug 15, 2013
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I would NEVER take down mirrors..... I would embrace them.... some intricate molding, anything, but take them down.
Sheryll S
on Aug 17, 2013
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Go 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.
Cecelia Dawes Fonte
on Aug 19, 2013
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Use a piece of piano wire to cut glue loose.Also painters tape on the mirror surface to keep it from falling on you.
Rhonda Nusom
on Aug 19, 2013
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Oh dear, bad huh?
Sheryll S
on Aug 31, 2013
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Cover 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.
Sara Glenn
on Jun 25, 2014
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oops I just saw the date of this post. You've solved it by now I'm sure.
Sara Glenn
on Jun 25, 2014
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For 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.
Robin Klinefelter Kerr
on Jul 04, 2014
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Used tape and wire worked fast and easy. Slide wire behind mirror and pull down.
Sylvia Stevens
on Oct 15, 2014
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All 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.
Barb Burnham
on Jan 16, 2015
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I 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 me
4Real Linda
on Jan 28, 2015
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Don't forget to wear safety glasses! You don't want a shard of glass in your eyes. Good luck!
Rsd1152999
on Jan 30, 2015
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I 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!!
Pauliegirl1
on Feb 06, 2015
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And, it's expensive if you don't use it all or have other uses for it.
Barb Burnham
on Feb 08, 2015
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Rachel, 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.
Sheryll S
on Feb 10, 2015
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I 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.
Melissa Nelson
on Feb 13, 2015
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You might try using a heat gun on them to soften the glue behind them?
Cathy C
on Jun 22, 2015
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Be 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.
Judi
on Mar 20, 2016
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