Most likely the mirror was glued using a asphalt type adhesive which is very common. The mirror most likely will break when you attempt to remove. Even if you could get it free from the wall, you could not remove the adhesive as it will remove the silver backing on the mirror. Simply cover all surfaces in the bathroom with heavy dropcloths wear heavy gloves and long sleeve shirts to protect you when the mirror cracks as it will and peel it off using a pry bar. You may also want to use a lot of masking tape on the surface of the mirror in an attempt to keep the glass from falling all over the place when it does break. Carefully wrap the broken glass in lots of newspaper tape and dispose of carefully.
Posts: 1012 | Location: New Jersey | Registered: 31 January 2006
if the mirror is held up with double sided tape, you can use a guitat string or a similar wire to cut it off the wall, but if it is held up with a glue, you will have to break it. cover the mirror with a wide tape first. something like duct tape works best. that will cut down on the mess.
The safety issue is paramount, here, since there is no exaggeration with the other posted information. As the glass breaks from the act of prying it, it sometimes lets go suddenly, in the direction of the force being applied--usually right back at you. You should also know that the underlying wall surface will be severely damaged, likely requiring replacement.
Posts: 105 | Location: West Haven, Conn. | Registered: 15 November 2005
I have removed large mirrors using braided wire to saw thru the adhesive. I suggest 3 people for the operation. 2 sawing with the wire. 1 holding the mirror upright and in place after it is freed. Tape the face of the mirror heavily, totally is preferable. Use ALL of the safety suggested items in the previous posts. Go slowly and if you hear a crack, go to the post concerning the demolition of the mirror.
I have a customer that had the same problem and the mirror was to close to the walls on both sides to do the wire trick, so I found 12 inch wide duct tape at Home Depot and taped over the entire mirror. Then with goggles & face sheild, gloves and long sleeve shirt I broke the mirror of in pieces and pryed with wide putty knife from the wall. Then as I removed the broken glass I just used a knife to cut the tape at the edge of broken piece. It looked like a liquid nails had been used on the mirror and all but one spot pulled just a little of the paper off as the wall had not been finished under the mirror. Just place plastic under your work and start from the top and work down, the tape kept the cleanup very simple & SAFE.
I own a construction company, and do quite a few bathroom remods. Here is how I do it... First as all of the other posts have noted, safety is a first. Tape the glass, wear safety glasses, and long sleeves. Now get some shims and a pry bar, and a heat gun. Wrap the end of the pry bar with tape to make it cushioned, just two wraps. Slide the shims in behind the mirror anywhere you can, all the way around until they are snug. Heat the perimeter of the mirror slowly and periodically check the shims for looseness. Push the shims in as the mirror releases. Work from one side or top down. When the shims are all the way in, double em up. This works about 3 out of five time for me with no damage to the mirror, just be careful not to over heat the mirror, and don't get anxious and try to point the heat gun behind the mirror. Good luck, remember... SLOWLY does it.
One more thing, the pry bar noted above is only for light prying to get the shims farther in as the glue begins to release, I suggest only using it if you must. This process works, I have three in tact, re-usable 3 foot by 8 foot mirrors in my shop to back it up, but sometimes you lose em', so be careful.
I run into this problem often enough that I sought out advise from my glass supplier. I am a custom cabinet maker and custom furniture maker in North Alabama and do 12-15 master bath cabinet replacements a year and often need to get a glued mirror down. I used to use the "tape and break" method too until I ran into one nearly 8 feet long! Went to my glass and mirror suppler for advise and they hooked me up with a set of the suction cups the installers use. They loaned them to me at first but it worked so well I went back and order a set for the shop. Basically I set the cups near the top of the mirror and then tug gently at the mirror until the paper on the drywall begins to fail and then work my down the mirror until it's completly free. Then I use the cups as "handles" to take the intact mirror out of the house. We have a Habitat recycling center here in town and they take the mirrors and cut them down for reuse. Haven't broken one yet using this method. Minor wall damage is easily repaired and often the new mirror covers it anyway. Since I work mostly alone the wire method is too hard for me.
