Drywall (also known as sheet rock or wallboard) consists of gypsum panels and is a familiar construction material for interior walls and ceilings. In the event of wall damage, appliance installation or a room renovation project, your drywall may need removal. Check out our guide, which explains how removing drywall, whether in small sections or full rooms, can be done without swinging a sledgehammer: https://thd.co/3Szp5l2
0:00 Removing Drywall 0:25 Step 1: Turn Off & Locate Utilities 0:51 Step 2: Prepare Room 1:02 Step 3: Removing Moulding 1:22 Step 4: Removing a Section of Drywall 2:07 Step 5: Loosen and Make Holes in Drywall 2:31 Step 6: Pull Out Drywall 3:20 Tools & Materials
Safe, efficient drywall removal calls for care and precision. Sometimes it’s necessary to remove drywall to have a fresh start. Although it may seem like a large undertaking, with the right tools and our easy-to-follow tips, you can demo your space with ease. Make sure to follow our instructions to minimize the inhalation of dust particles and debris.
Safety Tip: Learning how to remove drywall that's aged may be painted with lead paint or contain asbestos. If that’s the case, special precautions may be necessary for drywall removal and disposal.
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When it comes to home renovation, drywall is the first step to getting smooth walls
and a finished look for your space. Whether you're replacing damaged drywall or doing a remodel,
knowing how to properly remove it is key. I'll give you all the tips and tricks to remove your
drywall like a pro. The first step to any big project is making sure the utilities are turned
off. Drywall has all kinds of things behind it. Plumbing, HVAC, and electrical. A stud finder
is a great tool to help find obstacles that might be lurking behind old drywall. Now that I've
located them, I'm going to mark them with tape to avoid cutting into them later. One thing that goes
along with removing drywall is dust. So our next step is to prep the room. I'm going to move the
smaller furniture out and then protect the larger pieces and the floors with a drop cloth. Now before
removing the drywall, we need to remove the molding. I'm going to use a utility knife to cut the seam
right where the molding caulk line meets the drywall. With the pry bar, the molding pops
right off. Just like that. Maybe you're only removing a small section of drywall to repair
damage. There are a few extra steps to follow for this. First, I'm going to measure my section of
drywall that I need to remove and remember those dimensions to determine the size of drywall to
replace it. Now let's use a multi-tool to cut out the section. Saw across the middle of the wall.
This is called a flood cut. Move the saw nice and slow to be precise with this process.
Then finish cutting out your corner and edges of the section with the multi-tool. Then you may need to
pry the piece out with the pry bar. Removing an entire piece of drywall is even easier than a
section. First, we need to loosen and make holes in the drywall. Cut through the joint compound at your
corner using a utility knife. Using your hammer, punch holes along the middle of the wall to give
your hands a place to grab and use the claw of the hammer to start prying away from the studs.
Make sure you punch the holes close enough to connect to make space for your hand
and then just grab it and pull. Some older drywall may be painted with lead paint or contain asbestos.
You may need to hire a professional for proper removal and disposal. It's always wise to remove
old drywall rather than put new drywall on top. Removal also allows you to inspect the
interior wall for worn wiring, termite damage, and other wear and tear. Now that you know how to remove
drywall like a pro, you're on your way to a whole new room. Here are the tools and materials you're
going to need to remove drywall. Good luck and thanks for shopping at The Home Depot.
