Removing Mantels Attached to Drywall

Remove all objects from the mantel and move all furniture and area rugs well away from the area. Spread drop cloths over the flooring area to protect it from damage and secure the edges with painter’s tape.

Place a utility knife blade at the top left side of the mantel where it meets the wall and run it all the way across the top to break any paint. Repeat the process all the way down the left and side of the mantel legs, if applicable.

Insert a chisel or pry bar bar into the top left of the mantel where it meets the wall and tap it gently using a hammer until a thin gap forms between the mantel and the wall.

Put on safety goggles and work gloves and install a metal cutting blade into a reciprocating saw. Reciprocating saws have long, thin blades that allow you to cut through the nails in the drywall.

Plug in the saw’s electrical cord and insert the blade one to two inches into the gap created with the chisel or pry bar. Squeeze the trigger and slide the blade along the back of the mantel to cut through the nails holding it in place.

Release the trigger and set the saw aside. Grasp the top horizontal mantel portion and lift it up and away from the wall to detach it. You will see a thin wooden bar still, called a cleat, attached to the wall. If you are not installing a new mantel, remove the cleat in the same way you remove the mantel.

Move to the left mantel leg and tap the chisel or pry bar into the top edge where it meets the wall using the hammer. Insert the reciprocating saw blade into the gap and squeeze the trigger to cut all the way down to the floor. Set the saw aside and pull the mantel leg off of the wall.

Repeat the process to remove the right mental leg and then to remove the two vertical wooden cleats if desired.