How To Remove Plaster Walls

 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 05-19-2009, 07:47 PM   #1
Pro
 
Jordy3738's Avatar
 
Trade: Cabinetry
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 161

How To Remove Plaster Walls


Not long ago I was involved in tearing out some living room walls that were plaster. This was the first time I had taken on a task like this.

The contractor gave me instructions on how to do it and after about two days I finally got the hang of it.

I used a hammer and a cats paw or Super Bar and plenty of dust masks for the first day. Oh yeah and a tough pair of leather gloves.

Then the second day I decided to borrow a sledge hammer from a friend.

I think the most challenging part of the job was getting the wire mess out of the corners. What a pain.

Any thoughts?

Jordy3738 is offline  
Warning: The topics covered on this site include activities in which there exists the potential for serious injury or death. ContractorTalk.com DOES NOT guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information contained on this site. Always use proper safety precaution and reference reliable outside sources before attempting any construction or remodeling task!

Old 05-19-2009, 08:06 PM   #2
solar guy
 
naptown CR's Avatar
 
Trade: solar contracting
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Annapolis Md
Posts: 1,883

Re: How To Remove Plaster Walls


Better you than me
naptown CR is offline  
Old 05-19-2009, 08:19 PM   #3
Pro
 
Mellison's Avatar
 
Trade: Home Improvement General Contractor
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,158

Re: How To Remove Plaster Walls


Just watch the BX cable.
__________________
"Enjoy Every Sandwich" Warren Zevon
Mellison is offline  
Old 05-19-2009, 08:23 PM   #4
Capra aegagrus
 
Tinstaafl's Avatar
 
Trade: Remodeler
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Central Pennsylvania
Posts: 9,758

Re: How To Remove Plaster Walls


Quote:
Originally Posted by Mellison View Post
Just watch the BX cable.
That's fine if you have a week to do the job.

Jordy, I think you should buy your own sledgehammer and rescue that friendship.

Then find someone younger and dumber than yourself to do the next one.
Tinstaafl is offline  
Old 05-19-2009, 08:35 PM   #5
Pro
 
Mellison's Avatar
 
Trade: Home Improvement General Contractor
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,158

Re: How To Remove Plaster Walls


Quote:
Originally Posted by Tinstaafl View Post
That's fine if you have a week to do the job.

Jordy, I think you should buy your own sledgehammer and rescue that friendship.

Then find someone younger and dumber than yourself to do the next one.
I agree. If you have two guys cleaning for each one smashing. Otherwise it will be faster with alot less mess.
__________________
"Enjoy Every Sandwich" Warren Zevon
Mellison is offline  
Old 05-19-2009, 09:41 PM   #6
Pro
 
dayexco's Avatar
 
Trade: entrepreneur of excavating expertise
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,601

Re: How To Remove Plaster Walls


WTF does this have to do with excavation and site work?
__________________
someday, i'll be as patient as Nick.
dayexco is offline  
The Following User Says Thank You to dayexco For This Useful Post:
backhoe1 (05-19-2009)
Old 05-19-2009, 09:42 PM   #7
Grand Rapids Remodeling
 
Paulie's Avatar
 
Trade: Remodeling Contractor
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Grand Rapids, MI.
Posts: 2,340

Re: How To Remove Plaster Walls


At one time I had rental property and needed to gut the upper apartment to the studs (plaster/lath). Having done this nasty work before I tried to think of a better way. My solution, buy a keg, invite half a dozen buddies and give them all bowling balls I acquired from the local bowling alley.

The good news is that it got done in one long night of inebriation, bad news was waking up to a huge clean up that took about a week.
Paulie is offline  
Old 05-19-2009, 10:22 PM   #8
Pro
 
dayexco's Avatar
 
Trade: entrepreneur of excavating expertise
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,601

Re: How To Remove Plaster Walls


one more time....WTF does this thread have to do with excavtion and site work?
__________________
someday, i'll be as patient as Nick.
dayexco is offline  
Old 05-19-2009, 11:21 PM   #9
Moderator
 
Double-A's Avatar
 
Trade: GC - Remodeling Specialists
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 4,618
Send a message via ICQ to Double-A

Re: How To Remove Plaster Walls


Quote:
Originally Posted by dayexco View Post
one more time....WTF does this thread have to do with excavtion and site work?
I thought the beer and bowling balls tied it all in.

I guess I'll move it.
__________________
"My clients’ wishes are the center of my attention." -- David Guido, a contractor in Woodstock, N.Y.
New York Times, July 20, 2006
Double-A is offline  
Old 05-19-2009, 11:25 PM   #10
solar guy
 
naptown CR's Avatar
 
Trade: solar contracting
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Annapolis Md
Posts: 1,883

Re: How To Remove Plaster Walls


Quote:
Originally Posted by dayexco View Post
one more time....WTF does this thread have to do with excavtion and site work?
Its kind of like excavating the surface layer of dirt except it's plaster and inside and vertical
naptown CR is offline  
Old 05-20-2009, 10:22 AM   #11
Master Baiter
 
FowlOne's Avatar
 
Trade: Commercial/Residential Subcontractor
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbia City, IN
Posts: 130

Re: How To Remove Plaster Walls


Easiest way i've found to remove plaster............get somebody else to do it
__________________
Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves. - Ronald Reagan
FowlOne is offline  
Old 06-04-2009, 10:31 PM   #12
bathroom guru
 
jarvis design's Avatar
 
Trade: Bathroom Design Build Contractor
Join Date: May 2008
Location: London, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,146

Re: How To Remove Plaster Walls


I normally use a 30" wrecking bar and a sledgehammer.

Oh, and 2 guys to use them!!
__________________
Bathrooms Built for Life.
www.JarvisDesignBuild.com
519-495-4062
jarvis design is offline  
Old 06-04-2009, 11:05 PM   #13
KemoSabe
 
loneframer's Avatar
 
Trade: residential framing/siding/general carpentry
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Vineland, New Jersey
Posts: 12,828

Re: How To Remove Plaster Walls


Quote:
Originally Posted by Jordy3738 View Post
Not long ago I was involved in tearing out some living room walls that were plaster. This was the first time I had taken on a task like this.

The contractor gave me instructions on how to do it and after about two days I finally got the hang of it.

I used a hammer and a cats paw or Super Bar and plenty of dust masks for the first day. Oh yeah and a tough pair of leather gloves.

Then the second day I decided to borrow a sledge hammer from a friend.

I think the most challenging part of the job was getting the wire mess out of the corners. What a pain.

Any thoughts?
Yeah, try hanging a picture every so often, that s#!t will fall off the wall no problem.
__________________
__________________________________




"Walking the fine line between production and perfection"




__________________________________
loneframer is offline  


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Funny Craigslist ad for paint work... Splinter Painting & Finish Work 14 06-10-2009 06:43 AM
Interior brick walls old building converting to a loft apartment dakzaag Masonry 7 04-25-2009 11:29 PM
sheetrock vs. plaster in bathroom post and beam ceiling Bunc General Discussion 2 03-16-2009 09:34 AM
Sanding Walls with 80 Grit Paper on Orbital Questions plazaman Painting & Finish Work 5 12-19-2008 04:01 PM
Old plaster that won't hold paint hbiss Painting & Finish Work 14 07-28-2007 08:50 AM

Join Now... It's Fast and FREE!

Privacy Badge
I am a professional contractor
I am a DIY Homeowner
ContractorTalk.com is for
PROFESSIONAL CONTRACTORS ONLY!

At ContractorTalk.com we cater exlusivly to professional contractors who make their living as a contractor. Knowing that many homeowners and DIYers are looking for a community to call home, we've created www.DIYChatroom.com DIY Chatroom is full of helpful advices and perfect for DIY homeowners.

Redirecing in 10 seconds
No Thanks
terms of service

Already Have an Account?