If you’re in the process of a home renovation project that requires the removal of a large mirror or glass, you might be asking yourself, “Can I safely remove this glass or large mirror myself?” The answer to this question is NO! Removing a large mirror or large piece of glass is a dangerous process, even for those who are experienced at DIY. So many things can go wrong when removing and handling large pieces of glass. And there are key factors that must be considered in order to safely remove large glass. How many people are available to remove and transport the glass to a secure location? What type of glass is being removed? Where is the glass located? How is the glass secured to the wall? Are the proper tools available to safely remove the glass?
Listed below are just some of the reasons why removing a large mirror or glass is best left to professionals like the ones in Bridge City Glass who can safely remove any mirror or glass in your home! They have the proper training, tools, and experience to remove large and full-length wall mirrors, plate glass, bathroom mirrors and any other large pieces of glass.
Removing A Plate Glass Mirror
Plate glass mirrors may seem easy enough to remove on your own, but don’t be fooled. Plate glass can be heavy and awkward to handle. Safe removal requires proper tools and safety techniques to minimize the risk of injury.
Removing A Wall Mirror
A wall mirror, whether full length or smaller, is incredibly challenging to remove for a variety of reasons. These mirrors are bulky and hard to handle, break easily, and require the right tools and technique to remove safely.
Removing any glass that has been securely fastened to a wall, without breaking the glass, is difficult. It’s much safer to hire a professional to do the job. You may encounter some of the following challenges if you try to remove a large mirror or piece of glass yourself.
The Glass Breaks
Removing or handling large pieces of glass always comes with the risk the glass will break or shatter. This creates a dangerous situation for anyone in the general vicinity of the broken glass. Most wall mirrors are manufactured to a thickness of a ¼ inch or less, which makes them highly susceptible to breakage when handled. To ensure the mirror is securely fastened to the wall, the installer will use a generous amount of adhesive to keep the glass in place. This makes it very difficult to separate the mirror from the wall when it’s time to remove it. The more force required to separate the mirror from the wall, the greater the chance the glass will break. Large shards of glass create a substantial risk of injury and are one of the last things you need to deal with during your renovation project. Although cleaning up broken glass is inconvenient, a trip to the emergency room is much worse.
You Don’t Have the Proper Tools
If you do any DIY projects, you already know having the right tools is essential to successfully completing your project. This is even more important in situations where the right tools can mean the difference between completing a job safely or risking personal injury. Whether installing or removing, working with large pieces of glass is inherently dangerous. Glass that’s securely fastened to a wall is not easy to remove, and for good reason (an installer does not want the glass to come crashing down on an unsuspecting homeowner). To safely remove large pieces of glass, specific tools are needed, including tools to safely transport the glass once it has been removed. Trying to remove a large glass mirror using a pry bar or other tool that exerts uneven pressure is an accident waiting to happen. Few, if any, homeowners have the tools required to safely remove and transport a large mirror or piece of glass.
Even relatively small mirrors can be a challenge to remove and transport without breaking. If you attempt to remove the glass by yourself, you’re asking for trouble. Even if you have help, another set of hands may not be enough to remove and secure glass over 12 inches in length. In addition, putting another person at risk could negatively impact your homeowner insurance rates if something goes wrong. At the end of the day, it’s not worth the risk.
You Will Add Additional Work
Depending on the extent of your home renovation, removing a large mirror or piece of glass may only be a small part of the project. However, trying to remove the mirror or glass will also damage the wall it is secured to. Depending on the extent of the damage, this will add additional work to your renovation project. This means more time, money, and labor is required to fix the damage and get your project back on track again. The time and expense can range from minimal to extensive, based on the damage done.
Professional Window and Glass Removal
Removing mirrors and large pieces of glass, whether it’s a full-length wall mirror, a bathroom mirror, or another piece of large glass, is dangerous. That is why it is best to call a professional to have it removed safely. Bridge City Glass has years of experience repairing, replacing, and removing all types of glass. We can safely handle any window and glass removal job, along with our many other great services. Call us today!
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