Demolishing a plaster wall can be labor inensive.
Demolishing a plaster wall requires more tools and creates a larger mess than demolishing normal gypsum walls. This is because the gypsum sheet rock is commonly nailed to studs in 4 foot by 8 foot sheets, whereas plaster is applied to a backer board by trowel while it is still wet; when the plaster dries, it becomes extremely hard, which allows it to last for decades, but makes it difficult to remove. The best way to demolish (or "demo") this tricky material is to work in small sections using a hammer to avoid removing too much at once.
Instructions
1. Using a hammer, make a test hole in the plaster wall that you would like to remove. Repeatedly hit the plaster in the same place until the plaster begins to crumble. Continue to widen the hole until it is large enough to see inside of it.
2. Use a flashlight to look inside the wall to see if there are any supports or studs that you will need to avoid when hammering the rest of the wall.
3. Continue hammering the plaster down. If you come across a troublesome section that resists coming down, use a reciprocating saw with a metal bit to cut out the outline of the piece. Plaster is laid on a wire mesh for support; the mesh may need to be cut to release a nearly demolished piece of wall.
4. Use a crowbar to pry the remaining wall lathe from the studs. This wooden backing provides extra support for the plaster and gives the mesh screen a surface to be attached to.
5. Clean the work area. Demolishing plaster walls with this method creates a large mess, but it leaves you with manageable pieces of plaster and wood to clear. Use a broom and large dust pan to collect the material and dispose of it in large contractor garbage bags.
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