How to Tear Down a Plaster Wall

In the past, all walls were built with plaster, rather than drywall. In 1916, Sheetrock was invented, but it didn't catch on until 1952. It became popular then because of World War 2, when many materials were needed for the war effort. People had previously viewed it as a product that would produce shoddy buildings that would collapse easily. But people continued to use it after the war because they saw that one man could put up an entire wall in one day, rather than a skilled team taking an entire week, with several time consuming steps along the way.

But there are many homes, especially older ones, that still have plaster walls. And as anyone who has tried to knock down one of these walls knows, it's a very difficult, time consuming task. First, you have solid chunks of plaster, which are the consistency of a lightweight cement. Then you have the wood lathe. Sometimes, a wire mesh will have been applied, which only makes it more difficult to remove. It's noisy, but even worse, it's dangerous to remove plaster. Not only do you need to dodge heavy pieces of plaster which fall on your head or fly at your face, but the wood lathe can splinter and break. And then there's the danger hidden in all old buildings. You must check for lead paint and asbestos. If your home or building has been cleared of lead paint and asbestos, you can remove plaster yourself by following these tips.

First, you will want to prepare yourself. Make sure to wear safety goggles and a respirator, which is an advanced form of a dust mask. It will make sure that you do not get dust or particles in your eyes or lungs. Next, you will want to wear long sleeves, long pants, and gloves. This will protect your skin from any sharp parts that you encounter. You will also need ear protection. Removing a plaster ceiling or wall is noisy work. As a final tip, wearing a hood or some form of hat that covers your ears is a good idea because it makes cleanup easier. Coveralls are not a bad idea, and if you have a large amount of plaster to remove, it's a wise investment.