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Taking out an interior wall can open up your floor plan and make your home more inviting. Hiring professionals for demolition can be costly, and you may not want to spend the money if you’re on a budget. Fortunately, you can remove an interior wall yourself as long as it’s not load-bearing. Keep reading to learn how you can take down an interior wall quickly and safely.
Steps
Question 4 of 9:
How do you prepare to remove a wall?
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Turn off the power to any electrical items in the wall. This includes light switches and electrical outlets. If there are electrical outlets in the wall you’re removing, keep in mind that you’ll have to disconnect the wire from the outlet as you remove the wall. [4] X Research source
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Empty out the room and cover furniture with plastic. Removing walls creates a ton of dust, and it’s probably going to get everywhere. Before you start, move as many things as you can away from the wall, and cover up anything that’s too big to move with a plastic tarp. [5] X Research source
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Put on work gloves, boots, and a breathing mask. Taking out a wall creates a lot of dust, and it’s not great to breathe it in. Before you start, put on long pants, long sleeves, eye protection, and a breathing mask to protect yourself. [6] X Research source
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Question 5 of 9:
What’s the best way to remove drywall or plaster?
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Cut the wall with a reciprocating saw. It’s a small electrical saw that will cut through drywall or plaster easily. Use your saw to cut a square into the wall, leaving about 2 ft (0.61 m) around the edge. Be careful not to cut any of the electrical or wiring inside of the wall as you go. [7] X Research source
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Rip out the wall with a hammer. Once you have a hole exposed, you can peek into the wall and see what’s there. If there aren’t any obstacles, grab a hammer and use it to gently pull the drywall and any other wood off the wall. [8] X Expert Source Kevin Schlosser
Home Improvement Specialist Expert Interview. 19 February 2021. Do this on both sides to expose the wooden beams inside. [9] X Research source- If there are electrical outlets in the wall, remove the electrical box behind the outlet and disconnect the electrical wire from the box. You can hire an electrician to reroute the wire somewhere else in your home.
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Question 7 of 9:
How do you remove the wall studs and the floor plate?
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Saw into the upright studs with a reciprocating saw. Go through the center of each stud and cut them all in half. Then, pull each piece of the stud out of the wall and dispose of it. [11] X Research source
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Pry up the floor plate with a crowbar. Usually, floor plates are just nailed into the floor. Slide a crowbar underneath the wood and gently pry it up until you can take it off. Wear work gloves and watch out for nails. [12] X Research source
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Question 8 of 9:
How do you patch the ceiling?
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Screw thin strips of wood on the exposed ceiling. 2 x 2s or 1 x 2s work just fine for this job. Place the strips of wood across the newly created hole 12 to 16 inches (30 to 41 cm) apart until they cover the entire area. Hold them in place and use a drill to insert a screw into the existing ceiling on each end of the wooden strips. [13] X Research source
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Secure a piece of drywall to the ceiling. Cut a piece of drywall that’s 1 ⁄ 4 in (0.64 cm) smaller than the exposed ceiling. Put it over the wooden strips and attach it to the existing ceiling with drywall screws. [14] X Research source
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Add drywall mud to the edge of the new drywall. Use a trowel to spread drywall mud over the new sheet of drywall to fill in the gaps around the edge. Once the mud is dry (it usually takes about 1 day), use sandpaper to sand the mud down until it’s flush with the rest of the ceiling. [15] X Research source
- You might have to do this step a few times to get a seamless match.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionAre the same steps applied for a second floor? I want to move the living room wall approximately 3-4 ft and make the front porch part of the living room.Community AnswerNo, no, no. Moving an exterior wall is a whole and completely different game. Please hire someone qualified, licensed, inspected and fully insured.
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QuestionHow can I remove a bottom plate that's been glued to the floor?Craig PetersonCommunity AnswerIn this case, an "Undercut" saw or an oscillating saw with a blade that will cut through metal (spikes/nails) is the way to cut it away and leave a clear flat surface. The other option is to use brute strength but be aware that the subflooring will be damaged. The subfloor will normally be plywood and any damage done to the top laminations can be leveled and cleaned up by using self-leveling floor compound and trowling it out as you pour it. Be careful not to use to much self-leveling compound as it is possible to build a hump onto your floor.
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QuestionHow do I install a new half bath?Craig PetersonCommunity AnswerIf you are installing a new half bath to an area and no framing is being removed, it is simply a matter of framing in the extra walls and having the plumbing or electrical run in. Plumbing and electrical need to be inspected prior to covering the walls with drywall or other wall coverings, and need to be done by qualified professionals. If you need to remove any framing to build the new half bath, you must ensure that you are not cutting into a load-bearing wall. If you have any questions or are unsure, professional assistance is highly recommended.
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Tips
- Wear protective clothing and a dust mask to prevent inhalation.Thanks
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Warnings
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Things You'll Need
- Work gloves
- Work boots
- Eye protection
- Nose/mouth breathing mask
- Hammer
- Reciprocating saw
- Crowbar
- Strips of wood
- Drywall
- Drywall mud
- Trowel
References
- ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/removing-a-wall-demolition-pros-cons-258805
- ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/walls/22242675/how-to-know-if-a-wall-is-load-bearing
- ↑ Kevin Schlosser. Home Improvement Specialist. Expert Interview. 19 February 2021.
- ↑ https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2009/07/16/removing-interior-walls
- ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/removing-a-wall-demolition-pros-cons-258805
- ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/removing-a-wall-demolition-pros-cons-258805
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=32&v=rZsS_4HiHT8&feature=youtu.be
- ↑ Kevin Schlosser. Home Improvement Specialist. Expert Interview. 19 February 2021.
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=60&v=rZsS_4HiHT8&feature=youtu.be
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=106&v=uRQjK41qyvY&feature=youtu.be
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=415&v=zjtI-sHUsoA&feature=youtu.be
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=694&v=zjtI-sHUsoA&feature=youtu.be
- ↑ https://www.budgetdumpster.com/blog/knocking-down-a-wall/
- ↑ https://www.budgetdumpster.com/blog/knocking-down-a-wall/
- ↑ https://www.budgetdumpster.com/blog/knocking-down-a-wall/
- ↑ https://www.budgetdumpster.com/blog/knocking-down-a-wall/
- ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/walls/22242675/how-to-know-if-a-wall-is-load-bearing
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