Glass and Mirrors - Removing Mirror from Walls

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View Full Version : Removing Mirror from Walls


SweetEm
06-25-03, 12:56 PM
I just recently bought a condo that has mirrored walls in the dining room. I would like to have them removed without calling in the professionals.
Any ideas or advice?


SalvageCzar
06-25-03, 10:43 PM
Sounds to me that your mirror has been glued to the wall by prior occupants with a strong adhesive of some kind. Guess they wanted to bounce and reflect light or make a focal point or a bold statement. I buy, sell and remove large mirrors as part of my salvage business, so from my "monkey see monkey do family salvage business education" I have a couple of suggestions for if it's glued to the wall: 1) Rent glazing suction cups and a heat gun. (I'm told that some blow dryers work just as good). Glazing suction cups hold to the glass by means of a strong vacuum created by a hand pump on the unit and they are also grab handles. Get a couple of helpers. Put the suction cups on the mirror and heat it up with the heat gun (or blow dryer, so I'm told) until the adhesive loosens up. You might have to gently slip a flat pry bar behind and persuade the mirror a little. Be careful, mirrors can be heavy, they can break, and heat guns can and will start fires. 2) Call your salvage yard. If they work anything like me they'll come and take your mirror off the wall (using the method above) for no charge ... but they get to keep it and won't be responsible for any damages to the wall behind. 3) Last resort; Cover it up ... all of it, with masking or duct tape and very carefully break it. I know that suggestion #1 works ... we do it.