If your wall mirror has no visible clips or fasteners, it's likely glued directly to the wall. Removing glued mirrors might be harder than removing mirrors stuck down with clips. You should be careful while handling the mirror and use the right tools while removing the mirror glued to the wall.
Safety Measures
When removing the mirror, it's important to protect yourself from any injury along with the surrounding surfaces in case the glass shatters. To guard against cuts from sharp edges and shattered glass, you must wear:
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Long-sleeved shirts
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Long pants
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Closed-toed shoes
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Thick work gloves
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Eye protection
In addition, it's a good idea to use a few strips of tape in a crisscross or X pattern over the majority of the surface of the mirror. This prevents shattering and helps in containing large glass fragments in case the mirror breaks.
Methods of Removing a Mirror Glued to the Wall
Heat and Remove With a Putty Knife
You will need a sturdy drywall or putty knife, a drop cloth of heavy canvas, and a heat gun or blow dryer to remove a glued-on mirror by this method. Heat guns are relatively less expensive and also get hotter as compared to a blow dryer. This makes heat guns a better choice for melting adhesives.
Warm the mirror with a hot gun after you've spread your drop cloth. Start with the corner and focus on one small section at a time. Then, once the mirror is warm, slide the putty knife beneath it. Slowly, the glue will start to soften. Keep heating and prying with the putty knife until the mirror detaches from the wall.
It is advisable to cover the mirror with tape to prevent the glass from breaking. But, if you're using a heat gun, it can soften the tape's adhesive and also melt the tape.
Using a Wire Saw
Removing stick-on mirrors from a wall can be done with a wire saw. To do this, you will need a drop cloth and a wire saw long enough to place behind the mirror to cut through the adhesive.
If you're using a wire saw with rings instead of a wooden handle, seek assistance from the helper to pull one ring while you pull the other. This will make the task a little easier.
The process of using a wire saw for cutting is time-consuming, and it also clogs up with adhesive.
What to Do Before Installing a New Mirror?
Removing a mirror from the wall will leave some damage to the wall regardless of the method you use. There will generally be adhesive residue, so it's important to remove them with heat or scraping. Simply use a putty knife to scrape any raised glue particles on the wall. If you plan to replace the mirror with one that is similar in size or larger, make sure that the wall is smooth enough to hold the mirror flush against it.
If the drywall needs repair, follow these steps:
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Smooth the surface of the drywall using sandpaper and a putty knife.
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Get some spackling or joint compound and corresponding-sized spackle knives. Use these tools to cover the holes and cracks.
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Let the spackle dry.
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For bigger repairs, add another layer if you notice that the spackle shrinks as it dries. Go through the process again until you see a smooth finish.
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Use a drywall sander to create an even texture and remove any raised spots of spackle if necessary.
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Then, you can prime, paint, and hang the new mirror.
Conclusion
Removing a mirror glued to the wall is a difficult task, but with proper precautions and procedures, it can be managed. Whether you use heat with a putty knife or a wire saw, patience and safety are important for avoiding damage and injury. Always wear protective equipment.
