Extra caution must be exercised when removing a large bathroom mirror.
Large bathroom mirrors attach to the wall with mirror clips that screw in, or strong adhesive glue. Removing large bathroom mirrors from the wall can be very dangerous. Knowing that serious injury can occur while moving or holding the mirror should be at the very forefront of your mind when working with any large piece of glass. The first step of this simple project is to enlist the aid of a helper or two, and take the proper precautions with safety gear.
Instructions
1. Protect yourself and all your helpers with safety gear. Wear thick gloves, safety goggles, thick jean pants, boots and long-sleeved sweatshirts.
2. Apply painter's tape on the surface of the bathroom mirror corner to corner, creating a large "X." Place long strips of painter's tape in a plus sign design, going from top to bottom and then from side to side. Fill in all remaining spaces in the glass with more strips of the painter's tape.
3. Prepare the surrounding area by placing a drop cloth on the floor. Cover any surface you would not want damaged by glass shards with another drop cloth.
4. Unscrew the screws from the mirror clips with a screwdriver. The mirror clips are located around the perimeter edge of the large bathroom mirror. Have a helper, or two, hold the mirror while you remove the clips one at a time. Large bathroom mirrors are usually stuck to the wall with epoxy adhesive in addition to the mirror clips. Having a helper hold the mirror while you remove the clips add an extra layer of protection in case the installer did not use any adhesive.
5. Turn a hair dryer to its hottest setting, and heat any adhesive used on the back of the mirror. Slowly glide the hair dryer back and forth, while working your way down to the bottom. Hold the hair dryer at least three inches from the mirror surface. Do not stop moving the hair dryer. Keep the heat going in slow, continuous movements. The heat from the hair dryer will soften the underlying adhesive glue, for easier removal.
6. Take a long piece of piano wire and hold one end while your helper holds the other end. Move the piano wire in the back of the mirror in a sawing back and forth motion. Continue to saw through the adhesive glue until your wire comes out through the bottom edge of the mirror.
7. Remove the large bathroom mirror with the aid of your helper.
Tags: hair dryer, mirror clips, adhesive glue, bathroom mirror, bathroom mirrors, painter tape, back forth