How to Remove a Bathroom Mirror That’s Glued to the Wall

Safety is of the utmost importance, and custom mirrors can be costly, so you’ll want to take every precaution you can. Because of the possibility of broken glass, you’ll need to tape off the mirror to keep as much glass intact as possible and prevent it from falling and potentially injuring you. 

Using long strips of thick tape—such as duct tape, packing tape, or masking tape—tape the perimeter of the mirror, across the mirror vertically and horizontally (make multiple tape lines for larger mirrors), and diagonally from corner to corner.

If your mirror is affixed to the wall with a combination of adhesive and clips, remove the clips with a screwdriver.

Starting in one of the top corners of the mirror, use your hair dryer or heat gun to heat the mirror and the adhesive behind it. Heat one small section at a time until the adhesive loosens enough that you’re able to easily pull it away from the wall. Have your helper hold on to the mirror from this point on as you work to ensure it doesn’t suddenly drop or fall.

You may be able to pull the mirror away from the wall using only heat and your hands. If the adhesive is loosening up enough for you to separate the mirror from the wall, work slowly and carefully until the entire mirror is free from the wall. If not, try one of the following methods. 

Using Wire

If you can’t get the mirror to budge using just heat, once you’ve heated the mirror, take a length of wire—like piano or guitar wire—longer than the width of the mirror and slip it between the mirror and the wall, using a back-and-forth sawing motion to cut through the softened adhesive until the mirror is released from the wall. 

Using Shims and a Pry Bar or Crowbar

For particularly stubborn adhesive, you may have to use a little more force to get the mirror away from the wall. Please note that this method increases the likelihood of breaking the mirror as well as damage to your drywall. 

Once you’ve heated the mirror’s adhesive, insert wooden shims every 6 inches or so around the perimeter of the mirror between the mirror and the wall. Use your pry bar or crowbar to gently pry between the shim and the wall, working carefully and methodically around the mirror until it comes loose.

Once your mirror is off the wall, use the heat gun or hair dryer to loosen any remaining adhesive and scrape it away with a putty knife.

If your mirror has broken or cracked during the process, carefully put the pieces into a cardboard box or several heavy-duty contractor’s bags to avoid injury from glass shards. If the glass has remained intact and you’re planning to repurpose it, store it in between two sheets of cardboard so as not to accidentally damage it.