Nothing screams builder-grade quite like a flat, floating mirror in your bathroom. There are two ways to tackle your builder-grade mirror: framing it out or removing it entirely and replacing it with something new.
In my downstairs bathroom makeover, I opted for removal because I already had a mirror I wanted to use instead.
Removing a mirror may seem difficult, but it's actually much easier than you would think. You only need five items to do it safely:
Step-by-Step:
1. Fully cover your mirror in tape. Some people only cover most of it, but I prefer to fully cover that bad boy because nobody likes picking out glass shards. The tape will help hold everything together in case your mirror cracks during the removal process.
2. Put your toilet seat down and use cardboard to cover up your sink. This is added protection in case your mirror does crack and a few pieces drop. Glass in your plumbing is less than ideal.
3. Using your shims, and a hammer, place the narrow side of the shim in between your mirror and the wall. Hammer the shim slowly into the mirror. Repeat this with several shims all around the areas you can reach with your mirror (for me, that was only two). The shims allow for slight separation from the wall so you can get your crowbar between the mirror and the wall. If you are doing
this with two people, one person should handle the hammering/shims and the other should be ready to support the mirror when it's released from the wall. If it's just you, be sure you are positioned to support the mirror once it's released.
4. Once all your shims are in place, use your crowbar to begin prying it slightly (and slowly) from the wall, working from corner to the next. Again, be sure either your or someone else is ready to support the mirror once it releases.
5. If your mirror has not detached at this point, you will want to go back through with your crowbar and pry it a little further from the wall.
6 Eventually, it will release from the wall and you will be free of that builder-grade mirror!
7. It is important to remember that there will likely be damage to your drywall, however, depending on the size of your replacement mirror, it is usually covered up.
Coming soon.... a fun DIY trick I have in mind for updating the countertop!!
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