Patching and Plastering - I'm ripping up my walls!

I'm not sure where this fits, but I'll start here. We have just purchased a 25 yr. old home. In the kitchen, the backsplash was done with fake brick and black mortar. Well, I thought I'd get out my screwdriver and hammer today and start ripping it off. Well, it's taking half of the wall along with it! That mortar is sticky stuff!

Is there a way to remove this stuff without ripping up the entire wall? Also, how do I repair the areas that have chunks of drywall taken out? Maybe I should just hire a handyman! I want to learn how to do this stuff though. Thank you for any help you can offer.

Jodi

Sheetrock can be easily damaged. Mortar will usually fracture when struck with a cold chisel. Then you have to scrape of the remains. For damaged wallboard, fill and sand with joint compound, then prime and paint, as needed.

Hope this helps.

Thank you Chris. The mortar is more like a dried tar. I have no idea what it is, but it's almost like a hard rubber material. So, it doesn't crumble. It has to be peeled off.

Thank you for your help with repairing the sheetrock. I'll have to do alot of that. I'm hoping we don't have to replace the whole wall.

Jodi

It sounds like mastic. This is the general name for thick 'glues' used to adhere tile, and fake (veneer) bricks. It will proably pull the cardboard right off the drywall. You can go back and skim coat the wall with mud to smooth it out, or consider just stripping it to the studs and replaceing the damaged portion. You will probably end up with fewer joints and the repair is actually easier.

I'd follow what brickeye has recommended, it'll be easier & faster to remove the drywall down to the studs in this area & then patch it back, retape & finish.

Thank you all for your replies. Unfortunately, I have no idea what is involved in repairing drywall, retaping etc. I dated a guy once who had a drywall company...I should have paid attention! LOL! Is it something that a totally clueless person could figure out or should I just hire someone to do it? I'm willing to learn how to do it if it's not too complicated. Can I get a book to learn? LOL....

Jodi