I have a den where the previous owner had installed floor to ceiling mirror on two sides of the walls.

I have left it alone for a few years but now I want to take the mirrors down.

I assume the mirrors are glued to the sheetrock.

Is there a way to "save" the sheetrock? Or do I remove both the mirror and sheetrock together?

What can I do to avoid getting cuts by glass/mirror as they break and shatter?

 

Oh man......be careful. Been there and done that.

I helped a friend gut a store in a mall that he was moving into. The sheetrock wasn't savable as the paper, glue and glass came off together but he didn't care as slat wall went up in its place. It was just the two of us. I wouldn't let anybody else help. A few small cuts.... nothing major.

The mirrors literally explode when you try to pry them off the wall. You need to wear full protective body clothing, rubber gloves, safety glasses.

Just thinking here.... I wonder if you could put that plastic wrap stuff on the mirror. It's like self sticking plastic wrap they put down on floors before construction.

 

How big are the mirrors? I ask because they could be very heavy.

I've had success removing large mirrors from walls, but I had the help of professionals with suction cups. If, and that's a big if, the mirrors were installed with the correct adhesive they should come off.

 

The mirrors I removed where held up with a black mastic and it held well.

 

Try using strips of masking tape or painters tape to help reduce flying glass pieces. But as PJ suggest use protective clothing. I find those latex covered gloves are good protection and provide a good grip.

 

Depending on if you have the room to do it, I would probably try one of these 2 methods.

How to Remove a Wall Mirror: DIY Weekend Project

If you have no room to get around the sides of the mirrors, making those 2 methods impossible, I would first cut them into horizontal strips with a glass cutter... maybe 10-12" wide. Then apply the plastic carpet protection (Pete mentioned earlier) to both the glass and the carpeting. Lay 18" Masonite over the floor, tape the edge to the baseboard. Then tap the top piece of glass with a hammer along the seam. I've got Woods 8" suction cups so I would use them as handles to pull that top piece of glass away from the wall ( hopefully without obliterating it). Then repeat on the 10-12" strip you cut below it.

Keep any broken glass vacuumed up with your shop vac as you work. It goes without saying, but wear eye protection and cutless, rubber, or leather gloves.

When you are done, you will most likely be replacing the drywall anyway... so cutting the drywall around the mirror would be my first choice. Keeping it glued to the drywall and ripping them both off at the same time is your best bet if you have the room to do it.

 

Whichever method you choose, I would recommend a helper and 2 suction handles.

If you haven't cut glass before, keep the wheel lubricated with light oil, it will cut much better and cleaner than dry.