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How to remove plasterboard

A person wearing protective gear pulling a sheet of plaster off a stud wall

Overview

Removing plasterboard from walls and ceilings can be a messy job but there are a few simple tricks to getting it right. We show you the tools and techniques you need to remove cornice and plasterboard properly. There's also a few simple tips to make everything easier and show you how to do the job safely.

Steps

1Remove the cornice

Start by turning off the electricity at the fuse box. Even if you can't see switches or sockets, there could be wires in the wall. Then use a trimming knife to cut along the edges of the cornice to stop paint coming away from the ceiling. Once the cornice is trimmed, use the wrecking bar to pry the cornice off.
A person running a trimming knife along the top edge of a cornice

2Remove the plasterboard from the wall

Working as close to one of the top corners as you can, use the wrecking bar to gently pry the whole sheet of plaster away from the wall joists. Sometimes a whole sheet can be too large to handle in one go. If that's the case, run a shallow saw down the middle of the wall, being careful to avoid cutting the timber frame behind the plaster.
A person wearing protective gear pulling a sheet of plaster off a stud wall
Health & Safety

Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.

Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer. You can also use a simple test kit from Bunnings to indicate the presence of lead-based paint.