How to Tear Down a Wall to Extend a Room
The interior walls of a home are not always where you want them. In some cases, a room might seem too small, and you'll want to remove a wall and enlarge the space by including the room next to it. Before you begin this architectural change to the structure of your home, it is best to ask a contractor to look at the plans to ensure the wall is not a support, or load bearing, wall. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Stud finder
- Sledge hammer
- Pry bar
- Utility knife
- Handheld power saw
- Hammer
- Drill
Instructions
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1
Use a stud finder to locate the studs in the wall.
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2
Hammer into the drywall with a sledge hammer to break up the drywall between two studs. If electrical outlets are on the wall, or if you think plumbing might pass through the wall, then hammer carefully until you make a hole and can see inside the wall.
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3
Pull on the edge of the drywall once you form a hole. Remove chunks of the material at a time. Work around wires and pipes as you go.
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4
Slide a pry bar between the drywall and the studs to work it loose from the wood. Push in with the other end of the pry bar to force the drywall away from the stud. Repeat the process all over the wall to remove most of the material.
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5
Slice the drywall at the corners and ceiling with a utility knife before pulling on the material. This way it will come off in clean-edged pieces.
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6
Saw into the studs at the top and bottom of the wall to remove them. Use a hand-held power saw.
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Knock the boards out with a hammer.
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8
Locate the screws holding the ceiling and floor plates to the house.and unscrew them with the aid of a drill. Pull the boards out.
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Tips & Warnings
Once the wall is down, call a licensed electrician and plumber to reroute the utilities. They will file the proper permits and paperwork. Licensed work is typically required if you want the home to be covered under your insurance policy.
