How to remove large mirror that can flatten me?

[Sibley]

There's a very large mirror in parent's new house that needs to come out. It's roughly 4x6 ft, there is zero space on any side of the mirror to work (wall to wall, ceiling to counter). It's held in by screws and rosettes, not sure if it's glued. Based on the glass website calculator, it's anywhere from 40-80 lbs in weight, depending on thickness. This is too heavy for me. The counter is in the way, so I can't get right up to the mirror. Not sure if the counter can hold my weight to stand on it and work. I will only have limited assistance from my dad, if that.

How the heck do I get this thing out? I need to get it out this weekend, without damaging myself. It'd be great to get it out in one piece and resell it, but I mostly need the mirror out. Do I just tape and break it?

[GuitarStv]

If it's not possible to remove the cabinet (sounds like you're on a tight timeline) you're going to have a difficult time.  The biggest problem with moving is probably not the weight (40 - 80lbs is heavy, but doable) but the awkwardness.

Breaking the mirror and taking out the smaller pieces is an option, but will be pretty messy/wasteful/will definitely curse you for a seven year period.  There also exist glass moving suction cups that you can buy or rent which would give you and a helper a solid handhold and maybe make the task simpler - so that would be where my vote goes.  See if you can find some of these.

[IsThisAGoodUsername]

Something like these... which we always see the robbers using during a bank heist in movies...

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=glass+suction+cups+to+lift+large+glass&crid=466QP55DI47W&sprefix=glass+suction+%2Caps%2C214&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_14

[Sibley]

Technically I could remove the cabinet, but we're not ready to replace it yet so I'd have to put it back. Plus deal with whatever plumbing nonsense, and I'm sure there would be plumbing nonsense. If the new one was in the house ready to be installed, that would be a different matter but it's 2-3 weeks out. I have other things I need to do in the house, I don't have the time to spend fiddling with the cabinet.

I will see if I can get the suction cups. Those should work, if anything will!

If it is glued to the wall all bets are off and I'll have to break it. I will of course tape the mirror regardless in case it breaks accidently. And I will wear long pants and long sleeves and eye protection and gloves and closed toed shoes.

[lthenderson]

For stuff like that, I call friends with offers of beer and pizza. Take precautions and if you can get it off and out without breaking it, all is great. If you can't, have a broom and dust pan handy.

I have removed a lot of mirrors and have never come across one held up with screws and rosettes that was also glued. It would be way overkill but I'm sure someone out there has done it just to be on the safe side.

[Uturn]

Tape it up well, then use the suction cups.  The tape can help it not to flex and break, and keep it mostly together if it does.

[Sibley]

For stuff like that, I call friends with offers of beer and pizza. Take precautions and if you can get it off and out without breaking it, all is great. If you can't, have a broom and dust pan handy.

I have removed a lot of mirrors and have never come across one held up with screws and rosettes that was also glued. It would be way overkill but I'm sure someone out there has done it just to be on the safe side.

The kitchen was the definition of overkill, they used 3 inch lag bolts in the cabinets and glued the countertop all the way around. The wallpaper also met overkill criteria - the stuff in the bathroom they used polymer glue and we're just skimcoating over it. I'm not hopeful for the mirror!

[thedigitalone]

The glass suction cups are available at most rental shops if you don't want to invest in a set.  They will make this project much easier!

[Metalcat]

Do you need to keep it intact? If not, then tape it and break it.

[SunnyDays]

Even with suction cups, the mirror can still fall on you.  40 pounds is a lot to hold up if your arms are stretched out over the counter.  I stand on my counter and in the sink all the time when I clean the blinds, and I weigh 125 lbs.  Maybe you can at least keep one foot on the counter and one on something else in front of the counter but to the side, like a night table.  Even if you break the counter, you're replacing it anyway. Just don't stand in front of it.

[Sibley]

Well, my friend is coming over on Sunday to help with the mirror. And I took a closer look at the mirror, I think it's closer to 1/4 inch thick. Which means the weight is likely closer to 80 lbs. Didn't see the suction cups on the rental place's website, but it's a pretty crappy website. I'll have to go in and ask.

[Sibley]

Final report: The mirror is out. It was about 50 lbs in total we think. Not glued, but fitted tightly in. Borrowed the suction cup things from my neighbor. We actually got it off the wall then it slipped down on top of the faucet and got stuck. Then it cracked in half. So we cut the tape holding it together and were able to get each piece down and on the floor. From there it was easy to carry out to the garage, pending trash day.

The wall behind requires repair, there used to be an inset medicine cabinet, which was removed (and is actually in the basement). There's an electrical junction going straight across. And a couple other random holes. The new medicine cabinet/mirror sits on the wall, not in it, so we can get the wall closed up and install the new cabinet. Should work out fine. The contractor will be there this week, and fixing this wall was already on his list. Now we know exactly what is needed.

[yachi]

Awesome job!  Just a warning, I found out the other day that vampires were not reflected in early mirrors because they used silver coatings for the reflection.  Silver being a precious metal would not reflect a vampire.  Today's mirrors use an aluminum coating, so they very well may reflect vampires.  Your friend may still be a vampire even if you've seen their reflection.

[ncornilsen]

Awesome job!  Just a warning, I found out the other day that vampires were not reflected in early mirrors because they used silver coatings for the reflection.  Silver being a precious metal would not reflect a vampire.  Today's mirrors use an aluminum coating, so they very well may reflect vampires.  Your friend may still be a vampire even if you've seen their reflection.

Shit. Now what do I do? You go through your whole life counting on some things, ya know? And just like that you find out even those things have a big ol' asterisk on it. I'm adrift. One of the last rocks of constantness in this age of questioning and tearing down institutions and truths is gone. Next you will tell me that north American garlic isn't related to Transylvanian garlic and doesn't work either!

[yachi]

Awesome job!  Just a warning, I found out the other day that vampires were not reflected in early mirrors because they used silver coatings for the reflection.  Silver being a precious metal would not reflect a vampire.  Today's mirrors use an aluminum coating, so they very well may reflect vampires.  Your friend may still be a vampire even if you've seen their reflection.

Shit. Now what do I do? You go through your whole life counting on some things, ya know? And just like that you find out even those things have a big ol' asterisk on it. I'm adrift. One of the last rocks of constantness in this age of questioning and tearing down institutions and truths is gone. Next you will tell me that north American garlic isn't related to Transylvanian garlic and doesn't work either!

It seems sometimes, there just is no silver bullet

[Gone Fishing]

Awesome job!  Just a warning, I found out the other day that vampires were not reflected in early mirrors because they used silver coatings for the reflection.  Silver being a precious metal would not reflect a vampire.  Today's mirrors use an aluminum coating, so they very well may reflect vampires.  Your friend may still be a vampire even if you've seen their reflection.

Shit. Now what do I do? You go through your whole life counting on some things, ya know? And just like that you find out even those things have a big ol' asterisk on it. I'm adrift. One of the last rocks of constantness in this age of questioning and tearing down institutions and truths is gone. Next you will tell me that north American garlic isn't related to Transylvanian garlic and doesn't work either!

It seems sometimes, there just is no silver bullet

If I'd been closer, I'd helped out for a couple silver bullets...