Help! I live in a Fun House - that is a house of mirrors. How to remove.?

Question

The house is a brick ranch built in 1956, with plaster walls, in the detroit suburbs.  In the LR there is an entire wall of mirrors, three 8' by 4' panels abutted to each other.  This wall backs to the attached garage.  One of the sconces on this wall no longer works (they are ugly besides, and placed wrong).  I have thought about painting the living room wall or covering it with fabric, but I really need to get to the electrical, and on the garage side it is finished also- all built in storage.    Also, in all the bathrooms, are large (at least 4' x 6') mirrors mounted to the walls, again with cutouts for seriously outdated lighting.  My husband is concerned about what is behind them and that I will create a bigger mess by removing the mirrors.
How to safely remove the mirrors?  Based on age, type and location of house what is likely to be behind them?  Is this a DIY project?  If not, what kind of expert do I call in?

doug c · Accepted Answer

don't cover them! the mirrors should and more that likely are glued to the walls with a product called mirror mastic. when mirror mastic is applied it goes on like caulk but, it is now very hard from age. you can probably remove them maybe even get them off in one piece. you should proceed with much caution. a mirror 8' by 4' is very heavy and if it breaks it could cause grave injury. you can call a glass shop to remove them. it you just want to replace the lighting you don't have to remove the mirrors. all the electrical you are likely to need is in the junction box accessible by removing the present fixture. if you want to remove the mirrors on your own, i would begin with one of the smaller mirrors to see what you are up against. use a non-metallic tool (wood shims work well if you are able to get them in) to break the bond between mirror and wall. wear gloves and do not try to catch falling glass! protect the sink/fixture and cabinet with something in case of large pieces of falling glass. in theory the mastic will be in 4" to 6" diameter spots every 2' or so. start at the bottom. you should hear and/or feel the mastic release from the mirror or more likely pull a chunk out of the plaster. then proceed up one side or across the bottom inserting shims. you will have plaster stuck to the mirror and mastic stuck to the wall. there WILL be plaster repairs required.

general contractor

cornbreaded23 · Answer

I'd cover them.  There are some great adhesives on the market (Liquid Nails, etc.).  Cover with paneling, drywall, or thin plywood.  You can do it yourself.

john · Answer

you are rope.

Help! I live in a Fun House - that is a house of mirrors. How to remove.?

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