Summary: Learn how to pull down an interior wall, pull down a brick or block wall and demolish a stud wall.
If you want to demolish a loadbearing wall it is best to engage the services of a professional builder. However, you may undertake the demolition of non-loadbearing walls, but remember to wear protective footwear and a hardhat for protection against falling sections.
Demolishing a brick or block wall
- Using a lump hammer and a bolster chisel, chip away at the mortar joint between the wall and the ceiling.
- When the mortar joint is sufficiently weakened, chip at the mortar around one block in the top course until the block is loose enough to remove.
- From this point a firm tap with the lump hammer on adjacent blocks will weaken it to allow you to remove the blocks one at a time.
- Continue to remove the blocks row by row, working from the top of the wall to the floor.
Demolishing a stud wall
- Pull away the plasterboard panels from the stud frame, prising the fixings out of the frame with a pry bar.
- Once all the plasterboard panels have been removed, clear away any insulation.
- With a panel saw cut through the timber studs and noggins, then ease them free by moving then back and forwards.
- Remove the sole and head plates from the floor and ceiling using a pry bar.
Tools needed
- Lump hammer
- Bolster chisel
Related projects
- Building a metal framed stud wall
- Building a stud partition wall
- Creating an arch
- Closing a fireplace
- Laying ceramic floor tiles
- How to cut pipe