DIY Network

Wall Demolition and Drywall Repair Tear it down, smooth it out. From "Wasted Spaces" episode DWSP-307

A puny closet inside Mark and Molly's dressing room chops the space into awkward chunks. Host Karl Champley helps them remove the old closet – including a free-standing wall – and create a clean slate for their new organization system.

In addition to opening up a whole side of the room for storage, Karl helps the couple build a custom laundry sorter and hidden, in-floor storage. They also level the slanting floor and install window privacy film and carpet tile.

Replace this cramped, cluttered closet...

with some swanky new storage.

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Wall Demolition and Drywall Repair

Tools: safety glasses framing nailer circular saw compressor screw gun measuring tape hammer utility knife pry bar gloves paint rollers, brushes, and trays drywall knife

Materials: 3/4" birch plywood (for battens) nails drywall drywall tape joint compound paint

Paint Colors:

Walls: Benjamin Moore #460 Herb Bouquet, eggshell
Trim: Benjamin Moore: White, semi-gloss

Warning: Never remove a load-bearing wall. As a master builder, Karl was able to determine this wasn't a load-bearing wall; always consult with a structural engineer or other qualified professional before removing any wall.

	Figure A
	Figure B

• Remove trim. Use a prybar to pull away any trim or door casings from the wall and set aside. Also remove any nail strips from old carpet (figure A)

• Remove drywall. Use a hammer to knock through the drywall in between the studs. Pull the drywall away from the studs, using a prybar as needed (figure B).

  Safety Alert: Always wear safety glasses and work gloves when removing drywall. Wear a dust mask, as well, to avoid breathing in drywall dust, insulation fibers or any mold spores that may be in older walls.

• Deal with any "surprises." Older homes like this one are full of surprises – like the bricks inside the wall Karl was removing. Use a hammer to knock individual bricks loose, removing them one at a time.

  Tip: It sounds like fun to simply knock down a brick wall – but don't do it. Dropping the heavy bricks so suddenly will damage the floor and probably damage the ceiling, ceiling joists and drywall on the floor below.
  

  Figure C

• Install plywood battens. Instead of repairing the drywall where the old brick wall attached, Karl chose to simply create a new wall surface on top of the old wall. To do this, first nail plywood battens into the studs to act as spacers for the new wall.

• Attach new drywall. Screw sheets of drywall into the battens using 1-5/8" drywall screws (figure C).

• Mud drywall seams. Use drywall tape and drywall mud to smooth out all of the drywall seams and fill in the screw dents. Apply three coats of mud, letting it dry thoroughly in between coats. Sand the seams smooth.

• Finish as desired. Prime and paint the wall as desired. Install trim, if desired.