How to Remove a Builder Grade Bathroom Wall Mirror

Maintaining a safe environment while taking down your bathroom mirror is essential. Make sure you’re properly protected by wearing long sleeves and thick leather gloves, protecting those peepers with some safety goggles.

Safety tips for removing a wall mirror

Lay it on the line—literally–with a drop cloth to catch any pieces of glass that may go flying. Most importantly, don’t tackle this project alone – make sure you’ve recruited an able-bodied assistant for assistance. These mirrors are heavy and its nice to have an extra hand or two.

Safety tips for removing a wall mirror

- Crowbar  - Heat gun/hair dryer  - Hammer  - Duct tape  - Piano or guitar wire  - Wood shims  - Drop cloth

Supplies

Before you start prying, test the adhesive’s strength by giving it a tug. If that doesn’t do the trick, break out your heat gun or hair dryer and try to melt away any glue between the wall and glass. Just crank up those bad boys on their hottest setting for about 3-4 minutes before attempting to remove again.

Before you begin

Apply duct over the mirror in a cross-cross pattern. This will help keep the mirror together if it shatters. This is an important step that you don’t want to skip. Next, use a guitar or piano string and grasp it in each hand. Slide it behind the mirror and move it back and forth in a sawing motion to try to cut through the adhesive.

Put duct tape on the mirror

If the piano or guitar string doesn’t work use a crowbar and try to pry the mirror up by the sides. Use wood shims to stick behind the mirror to help pry it up. I just used the end of my hammer and it worked fine but a crow bar and shims would have been easier.

Put duct tape on the mirror

While one person holds steady, pry away at different sections until the mirror pops free from its decades-long entrapment. Cover the mirror with a drop cloth then go smashing with safety goggles on for maximum protection against any rogue shards flying around.

Pop the mirror off

How to Remove a Builder Grade Bathroom Wall Mirror