I need to remove a section of drywall where the person hanging it used nails around the edges. I would like to keep the drywall as intact as possible for re-use since it's 4.5' drywall that I'd have to replace at a specialty store.

I wonder if anyone has any tips for getting the nails out with a minimum of damage?

I was thinking of two options:
1. Push the nails through with a nail set. This would leave big holes, but would not mangle the drywall any beyond that.
2. Attempt to drill the nail head off.

If anyone has any better ideas I would love to hear em.

Thanks,
-Tom

 

I wouldn't bother, just cut the edges and rip it out. You shouldn't need a specialty store for 54" drywall. That said, assuming you do, you don't necessarily have to remove the whole sheet, you could cut out a 4'x8' piece and remove that or whatever other size makes sense.

 

If it comes down to it, as you say I'm not boned. The idea would just be avoiding an extra seam, but if that's how it plays out it's not the end of the world.

Figured it couldn't hurt to see if anyone had some good tricks

 

If you are looking at just one or two sheets, I have used a cutting wheel on my Dremel to cut straight into the top of the nails. The head will come off and the remaining shank will pull through easily. A larger grinding wheel will work as well, I just happen to like the small one for a couple of nails. However, I'm usually saving a piece of wood, drywall is cheap. But the time is yours.

Bud

 

It's difficult to remove a sheet of drywall and reuse it. While the center of the piece can pretty much be undamaged and used for smaller repairs, when you remove the tape, mud and nails from the perimeter I'm not sure you'd have a useable piece. IMO you are better off not trying to save it and buy a new sheet. I don't know if the big box stores carry 54" rock but any drywall supply house will have it on hand.

 

FWIW the drywall has not actually been finished, just fastened in place.

Although as it stands I am definitely leaning towards just using 48" drywall and a 6" strip. One more seam... but i guess it's only on a 5.5' wall

 

I have used an 1/8" pipe nipple with a cap on one end and the other end ground to a sharp edge to cut around nails. A hole punch will work even better but I'm cheap.

 

I actually tried drilling off the tops of the nails. It worked surprisingly well. Basically no damage to the drywall, very small holes to be patched, and already the right size.

Probably not worth it on a large scale but it's one less seem to mud and tape!

 

Same end results as the Dremel approach, once the head is off the shaft pulls right through.
Good job,
Bud