I recently bought an apartment that requires a lot of love before it's livable. One of my many projects for the apartment is to tear down a wall in the bedroom that currently hides two somewhat odd, built-in closets and a cleaning closet (accessible from the hallway, see floor plan).
The plan is to completely close off the closet door in the hallway and instead have a closet along the entire wall in the bedroom, which will be covered by sliding doors from Elfa.
Since I'm a total rookie at this, I'm mainly wondering what tools I might need for this? I have the option to rent cheaply from Cramo (www.cramo.se) and therefore need to know what I should rent. Additionally, I wonder if it's even a feasible project for someone without any experience to undertake this?
The building is from 1950, and I can imagine that the wall is currently built of plasterboard/studs. There's no electrical wiring or such in the wall either. Fortunately
The plan is to completely close off the closet door in the hallway and instead have a closet along the entire wall in the bedroom, which will be covered by sliding doors from Elfa.
Since I'm a total rookie at this, I'm mainly wondering what tools I might need for this? I have the option to rent cheaply from Cramo (www.cramo.se) and therefore need to know what I should rent. Additionally, I wonder if it's even a feasible project for someone without any experience to undertake this?
The building is from 1950, and I can imagine that the wall is currently built of plasterboard/studs. There's no electrical wiring or such in the wall either. Fortunately
Member
· Norrbotten
· 3 390 posts
Actually, you can tear down such a stud wall with just a crowbar, but I would probably also use a reciprocating saw (and/or circular saw) to help. Don't forget to cover the floor and door opening properly. It's bound to get really messy.
Ah, but since the only tool I own is one (1!) screwdriver, a crowbar is also a good tip on what I need to acquire
Covering and stuff is not a problem. There will be a bathroom renovation going on at the same time, so covering the floor seems pretty unnecessary
Covering and stuff is not a problem. There will be a bathroom renovation going on at the same time, so covering the floor seems pretty unnecessary
Member
· Norrbotten
· 3 390 posts
Ok, since you're starting from the very basics, here are a few more tips:
- Get saw blades for the reciprocating saw for both wood and metal. You might need to cut off some mounting points.
- A hammer will probably be useful and is something you'll always need in the future, so go ahead and buy one.
Finally, it all depends a bit on what you find when you start tearing down.
Then, when the surfaces need to be restored to a nice condition, a lot of other materials/tools will naturally be required, but the demolition itself is not a complicated job.
Good luck
- Get saw blades for the reciprocating saw for both wood and metal. You might need to cut off some mounting points.
- A hammer will probably be useful and is something you'll always need in the future, so go ahead and buy one.
Finally, it all depends a bit on what you find when you start tearing down.
Then, when the surfaces need to be restored to a nice condition, a lot of other materials/tools will naturally be required, but the demolition itself is not a complicated job.
Good luck
Thank you very much!
Hopefully, the restoration will go fairly smoothly, as the old wardrobe section will be obscured by the sliding door wardrobe with its associated floor and ceiling tracks, plus the entire room will be surface-renovated in the next step.
How should I start sawing then? In one of the wardrobe openings and then work my way forward so I can break out the larger part, or what is the technique?
Hopefully, the restoration will go fairly smoothly, as the old wardrobe section will be obscured by the sliding door wardrobe with its associated floor and ceiling tracks, plus the entire room will be surface-renovated in the next step.
How should I start sawing then? In one of the wardrobe openings and then work my way forward so I can break out the larger part, or what is the technique?
That's the fun part! Use the crowbar (or sledgehammer/back of an axe) and pretend it's Bin Laden or something else you don't like. Hit until you're exhausted, then you might have to saw a little to get the last part loose.
Ripping is fun Start in one of the doorways, I usually tear away visible wood first, then saw off what's stuck. But you'll have to try and find your own model
It's never a bad idea to smash a little with a hammer, crowbar, ax or sledgehammer either
Buy a hammer, go somewhere with a lot to choose from, and feel them thoroughly. It shouldn't be too heavy and it should have the right balance for you. It's an important tool that you'll use for a long time, so it's better to buy good/expensive rather than some junk that's just heavy and made of metal.
Buy a crowbar too; same advice as with the hammer; make sure it's the right weight for you.
I love tools, I buy any I can find a reason to use :wow: but my old man always said he built 2 summerhouses and a home with a screwdriver, a hammer, a handsaw, a sledgehammer, and a pole oh right, he had a pair of pliers too.
Start in one of the doorways, I usually tear away visible wood first, then saw off what's stuck. But you'll have to try and find your own model It's never a bad idea to smash a little with a hammer, crowbar, ax or sledgehammer either
Buy a hammer, go somewhere with a lot to choose from, and feel them thoroughly. It shouldn't be too heavy and it should have the right balance for you. It's an important tool that you'll use for a long time, so it's better to buy good/expensive rather than some junk that's just heavy and made of metal.
Buy a crowbar too; same advice as with the hammer; make sure it's the right weight for you.
I love tools, I buy any I can find a reason to use :wow: but my old man always said he built 2 summerhouses and a home with a screwdriver, a hammer, a handsaw, a sledgehammer, and a pole
oh right, he had a pair of pliers too.Haha, yeah I'm looking forward to the demolition. Besides, the apartment is in such a state now that it absolutely can't get worse, no matter what I do with it. That's a pretty good starting point
Thanks for all the tips too! Hammer and crowbar are on the shopping list, and the reciprocating saw is on the to-rent list!
Thanks for all the tips too! Hammer and crowbar are on the shopping list, and the reciprocating saw is on the to-rent list!
How exciting with something new! Congratulations. Typical layout - Looks like one of my previous ones!
But, if the house was built in 1950 and the part with the closet is original, then it is NOT gypsum and studs. Then it's made of lightweight concrete blocks (Blåbetong) and plaster. Something you absolutely can't take down with a crowbar and a hammer. :x
Also, there's a "ledge" drawn on the plan in the "utility closet" towards the hall that could be anything if the drawing is accurate. It's not certain that it can be removed - It could be an air duct or something similar.
Knock on the wall and see what it’s made of - You can clearly hear if it’s gypsum as the walls are hollow and relatively soft when pressed.
Demolishing lightweight concrete is quite simple - But paper on the floor is not enough if you want to preserve a potentially nice wooden floor from scratches and dents. Masonite boards over the paper is the only way. And by that, I mean heavy-duty paper, not cheap masking paper from K-rauta.
I've taken down two walls in as many apartments in Hammarbyhöjden and it’s the same story every time - A laborious task!
The plaster will dust like crazy, and the blocks are not easy to take down, cut with a reciprocating saw and concrete blade and break down piece by piece is the method I find works best. An industrial vacuum/ construction vacuum is a must.
If the wall is as I described above, it will also leave a deep channel in the floor and a hefty mark in the ceiling. :S
Now, I don't want to paint the devil on the wall or anything - Everything is possible. d^_^b
But, if the house was built in 1950 and the part with the closet is original, then it is NOT gypsum and studs. Then it's made of lightweight concrete blocks (Blåbetong) and plaster. Something you absolutely can't take down with a crowbar and a hammer. :x
Also, there's a "ledge" drawn on the plan in the "utility closet" towards the hall that could be anything if the drawing is accurate. It's not certain that it can be removed - It could be an air duct or something similar.
Knock on the wall and see what it’s made of - You can clearly hear if it’s gypsum as the walls are hollow and relatively soft when pressed.
Demolishing lightweight concrete is quite simple - But paper on the floor is not enough if you want to preserve a potentially nice wooden floor from scratches and dents. Masonite boards over the paper is the only way. And by that, I mean heavy-duty paper, not cheap masking paper from K-rauta.
I've taken down two walls in as many apartments in Hammarbyhöjden and it’s the same story every time - A laborious task!
The plaster will dust like crazy, and the blocks are not easy to take down, cut with a reciprocating saw and concrete blade and break down piece by piece is the method I find works best. An industrial vacuum/ construction vacuum is a must.
If the wall is as I described above, it will also leave a deep channel in the floor and a hefty mark in the ceiling. :S
Now, I don't want to paint the devil on the wall or anything - Everything is possible. d^_^b
I knocked on the wall yesterday, and since it's just a partition wall for the closet space which is very thin, I don't think it's lightweight concrete blocks and plaster. But what do I know. It feels similar to when I knock on a standard wall at work with studs and drywall. However, I haven't felt a lightweight concrete wall, so I have nothing to compare with.
Today, the old, ugly vinyl flooring is to be removed as soon as the wall is down, so covering is not a problem. Same with marks on the ceiling and floor. On the ceiling, there will be a track for a sliding door wardrobe that will cover the seam, and on the floor, new flooring will be laid all the way into the closet space.
Regarding the "step" in the cleaning cabinet, I don't think there's anything special there. The layout is generally wrong, since there's also one too many windows in the living room and the fridge/freezer + cabinet are not at all in the same place, and the proportions are a bit odd overall if compared to reality. But as I said, I will investigate if there's anything behind the cleaning cupboard, and if so, I'll leave it as it is and just demolish the rest.
OF COURSE IT CAN BE DONE! I have no choice
Today, the old, ugly vinyl flooring is to be removed as soon as the wall is down, so covering is not a problem. Same with marks on the ceiling and floor. On the ceiling, there will be a track for a sliding door wardrobe that will cover the seam, and on the floor, new flooring will be laid all the way into the closet space.
Regarding the "step" in the cleaning cabinet, I don't think there's anything special there. The layout is generally wrong, since there's also one too many windows in the living room and the fridge/freezer + cabinet are not at all in the same place, and the proportions are a bit odd overall if compared to reality. But as I said, I will investigate if there's anything behind the cleaning cupboard, and if so, I'll leave it as it is and just demolish the rest.
OF COURSE IT CAN BE DONE! I have no choice
But if it would be a lättbetongvägg, you, with your experience, are very welcome to take care of my wall too. I don't live far from Hammarbyhöjden
tss... Brokers.
It's probably true that the little divider was added later and possibly is made of plaster - Seen maaaany apartments from 42-52 in the southern suburbs and the majority of 1-room apartments have had such a "walk-in closet" but the divider hasn't been there. So that part should be quite easy to tear down.
However, check the wall between the cleaning closet and the wardrobe. That reminds me of a kitchen nook and thus original - Hence, it could be concrete.
It's probably true that the little divider was added later and possibly is made of plaster - Seen maaaany apartments from 42-52 in the southern suburbs and the majority of 1-room apartments have had such a "walk-in closet" but the divider hasn't been there. So that part should be quite easy to tear down.
However, check the wall between the cleaning closet and the wardrobe. That reminds me of a kitchen nook and thus original - Hence, it could be concrete.
Since the apartment was started in 1949 and is located in the southern suburbs, it does seem quite fitting with your theories. I will look it up, there was still a lot of junk in both the closet and the cleaning cupboard yesterday when I went to look at the apartment again, so it didn't look very good.
But as mentioned, it's not the end of the world if the cleaning cupboard stays. The main thing is that the other goes, because it is the worst planned closet I have ever seen. And also light blue inside... Taste has not been the guiding principle for the previous owner
But as mentioned, it's not the end of the world if the cleaning cupboard stays. The main thing is that the other goes, because it is the worst planned closet I have ever seen. And also light blue inside... Taste has not been the guiding principle for the previous owner
Ha! I have too much work at the company as it is - But if you want to borrow suitable tools, you're welcome. The reciprocating saw recently took down an interior wall made of lightweight concrete on Ringvägen. d^_^bemmaeriksson said:But if it happens to be a lightweight concrete wall, you, with your experience, are more than welcome to take care of my wall as well. I don't live far from Hammarbyhöjden at all
Given the floor plan, you CAN'T live far from the height - They all look the same and were built around the same time. Guessing one of the neighboring stations on the tube.
Tips and advice don't cost anything either - If you ask nicely, most things usually work out!
Haha, no. I can get tools cheaply from Cramo through staff discounts, but thanks for the offer
Well, it's a little bit from Hammarbyhöjden, closer to Stureby/Svedmyra/Sockenplan
Well, it's a little bit from Hammarbyhöjden, closer to Stureby/Svedmyra/Sockenplan