Home Remodeling

Saving Features During Home Remodeling

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When doing a big home remodeling project, you don’t have to lose features that you loved. Here are ways to save two common features during a home remodeling project.
                         
Save a Wall Mirror
                         
Wall mirrors are still popular in smaller apartments and homes where the illusion of more space is desired. These mirrors are adhered to the wall, and are difficult to remove. For that reason, many interior demolition crews just smash the mirror until it’s gone. You can actually save these mirrors with a little trick. Heat the front of the mirror with a blow dryer or heat gun. This melts the adhesive behind the mirror, and with minimal prying with a straight edge, the mirror should release from the wall. Be ready with a soft blanket or furniture cover to lay the mirror on. Wrap the mirror in the soft blanket for safe transport to a facility that accepts demolition materials in good condition for reuse at another location.
                         
Upcycle Flooring
                         
Hardwood floors are expensive to buy new, and they use a valuable resource to make. Save any hardwood flooring at your demolition project by carefully using a pry bar to lift individual slats. The first slat will be the hardest to lift, but if you can locate one near the edge of the wall, you might be able to find a good spot to insert the pry bar. Store the saved slats in a labeled, cardboard box so the next person to use them will know exactly what they are looking at.