How to Remove Plaster Walls - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Jordy3738 · 05-19-2009, 06:47 PM

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?

naptown CR · 05-19-2009, 07:06 PM

Better you than me

Mellison · 05-19-2009, 07:19 PM

Just watch the BX cable.

Tinstaafl · 05-19-2009, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mellison

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.

Mellison · 05-19-2009, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tinstaafl

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.

dayexco · 05-19-2009, 08:41 PM

WTF does this have to do with excavation and site work?

paulie · 05-19-2009, 08:42 PM

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.

dayexco · 05-19-2009, 09:22 PM

one more time....WTF does this thread have to do with excavtion and site work?

**Double-A** · 05-19-2009, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dayexco

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.

naptown CR · 05-19-2009, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dayexco

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

FowlOne · 05-20-2009, 09:22 AM

Easiest way i've found to remove plaster............get somebody else to do it

jarvis design · 06-04-2009, 09:31 PM

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

Oh, and 2 guys to use them!!

**loneframer** · 06-04-2009, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordy3738

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.