Supply List for Removing Drywall (Mess-Free) How to Remove Drywall: Step by Step and Mess-Free Prepare the Room Remove Molding, Baseboards, Outlet Covers, Etc. Score the Tape in the Corners and Ceiling Locate and Remove the Screws Pull the Panels from the Wall Clean Up How to Remove Drywall Using a Sledge Hammer Supply List for Removing Drywall (Mess-Free) 0 Supply List for Removing Drywall (Mess-Free) 1 Supply List for Removing Drywall (Mess-Free) 2 Supply List for Removing Drywall (Mess-Free) 3 Supply List for Removing Drywall (Mess-Free) 4 If you’ve ever watched a TV home renovation program, you undoubtedly feel ready to sledgehammer your drywall.

While using a hammer to knock out the drywall is an option, there is a far simpler method that won’t leave you with a huge mess to clean up.

Here are two methods for removing drywall: the clean-up method and the sledgehammer method.
A LIST OF SUPPLIES FOR REMOVING DRYWALL (MESS-FREE) Here is everything you will need if you are prepared to start your project.
For taking down drywall:
Practical Knife (Extra long is preferable) Magnetic Stud Finder Cordless Drill with a Sharp Phillips Bit, Pry Bar, and Drywall Saw For quick cleanup
ShopVac Plastic Sheeting A respirator mask and safety eyewear are also recommended.

Prepare the room before removing the dry wall in a step-by-step, mess-free manner. Even though it’s simple and quick, preparation can save you a lot of time when it comes to cleanup, so don’t neglect it.

The circuit breaker for the room you are working on should be turned off first. Then make a note of every utility in the area so you can steer clear of it.

Look for plumbing, HVAC vents, and electrical outlets.

Place plastic sheeting on the floor before remodeling an empty space to catch dust and sheetrock fragments. Move as much furniture as you can from a crowded room before laying down plastic sheeting.

Cover any huge pieces of furniture you can’t move out of the room with something to keep you safe.

REMOVE OUTLET COVERS, MOLDING, BASEBOARDS, AND MORE. The next step is to remove everything from the wall that is preventing you from neatly removing the drywall.

Remove any obstruction-causing baseboards, crown molding, switch plates, HVAC vent covers, and outlet covers.

Using a pry bar, you can carefully remove molding and baseboards. Make sure to take out any nails that were left in the wall as well.

SCRATCH THE TAPE IN THE CEILING AND CORNERS. Now, using your utility knife, score the drywall tape in the room’s corner and at the joint where the wall and ceiling meet.

(Using an extra-long utility knife makes this task much easier to do, but be careful to stay safe. These knives are easier to cut yourself with because they aren’t as little.)

Find the screws and remove them. Till you come upon a screw, scan the wall with your magnetic stud finder. Then, using a cordless drill and a fine Phillips bit, drill into the drywall where the screw was found and take out the screw.

Continue doing this until the wall is free of all screws and nails.
TAKE THE PANELS OFF THE WALL Pull the panels away from the wall once all of the screws have been removed.

Because it can be difficult to remove an entire panel at once, you can use your saw to cut them vertically into four-foot drywall parts. When making the cuts, exercise extreme caution to avoid inadvertently damaging any circuitry.

Once a piece has been cut, carefully take it away from the studs. A pry bar can be used to grasp challenging components.
If you’d like, you can also cut the tape horizontally to create smaller parts.

WASH UP Check the studs for any leftover screws or nails after removing the panels from the wall. Remove any you find if you find any.

After that, roll up your plastic sheeting and remove it. Lastly, vacuum away any dust or debris that is still present.
There would be very minimal cleanup need if you could remove your panels in large pieces.
HOW TO USE A SLEDGE HAMMER TO REMOVE DRYWALL

While it might seem like surgically removing drywall would take much longer than using a sledgehammer, this is not. Using a sledgehammer can end up taking longer when cleanup is taken into account.

However, if you need to vent or don’t have all the instruments for systematic removal, this method still works.
(Tip: Avoid using this procedure if you’re working in an older house and suspect asbestos or lead paint.)

SET UP THE ROOM Turn off the circuit breaker for the room you’ll be working in before you do anything else. After that, clear the area of everything.

Cover any substantial furniture you must leave in the space with plastic sheeting. Youll also want to lay down a plastic sheet on the floor for easy cleanup.

Take off the wall’s baseboards, crown molding, outlet covers, and switch plates. To prevent them from becoming covered in drywall dust, block off any further rooms.

Put on safety glasses and a dust mask once the space has been cleaned and ready. Gloves for protection are also a smart idea.

RIP OFF THE DRYWALL You should now pound holes in the drywall with your sledgehammer. (Be VERY careful where you swing; you don’t want to unintentionally damage plumbing or electrical equipment.)

Use your hands to rip the drywall off after creating a hole in the wall. It’s likely to break into a number of little pieces.
Continue until all of the drywall has been removed.

REMOVE NAILS AND SCREWS It will only be necessary to remove drywall screws and drywall nails once all of the drywall panels have been removed from the wall. Take them all out of the studs by going around the room.

WASH UP Your cleanup would go much more quickly if a plastic sheet had been put down. The sheeting can be folded up and taken outside of the house to start the cleanup process.

If you didn’t cover the floor with plastic sheeting, you can use shovels to pick up the drywall fragments.
After that, thoroughly vacuum the space.

LAST THOUGHTS Even though drywall removal is not difficult, it might take a while. The meticulous DIY mess-free method is the way to go if you’re removing a little quantity of drywall or working in a room with furnishings.

You’ll be prepared for new drywall and joint compound once the old sheets have been removed.
Only if you’re removing drywall from an empty house does it make sense to employ the messier sledgehammer method.