Removing Crown Molding from Your Home
While the basic techniques to remove crown molding are simple, please read the list of special situations (after the main list of techniques). Be prepared for unexpected challenges you might encounter. Possible fixes for those situations will be covered as well. Even trickier crown molding issues can be handled by intrepid homeowners willing to tackle DIY tasks.
First things first: the tools you need to have to help remove crown molding
When we removed crown molding from a television room, we needed only a few items: a good 15 inch pry bar (sometimes called a cat’s paw), a hammer, a board or wedge to put between the molding and wall (if needed) , a sharp utility knife and a stud finder. We also used safety glasses but many people work without them. However, after having some ceiling plaster fall into my eye, I decided to go with the safety glasses.
You might want to be prepared with a drywall repair kit, just in case. We didn’t need to use one but it is a definite possibility, depending how the crown molding is attached to the wall. If there is wallpaper or paint under your crown molding, you’ll have to decide how you want to handle that. If you are planning on removing the wallpaper or repainting, this may not be a big deal.
Next step: find out if your crown molding is wood, plaster, fiberboard or even plastic.
The type of material may determine the method you use. We also found it helpful to consult with a local True Value hardware store representative, a man who was very helpful in taking a piece of crown molding attached to a board and demonstrating various techniques for removing it. He taught us to look for the studs with a stud finder, telling us that this would help us remove crown molding with minimal to no damage to our drywall. This turned out to be absolutely correct.
Wood molding can often be pried from the wall. You may need to use special saws or cutting devices if working with plaster, plastic or fiberboard.
Next step: prep your work area
Be prepared for some dust, drywall and even ceiling plaster to drift down to the floor. Save time by covering the floor with paper or a painter’s cloth.
Final step before you remove crown molding: be aware of any special challenges you will face during the removal process
At the very least, you are going to want to determine if your crown molding was put up using nails only or if a special glue was used. Another issue can be caused if molding is nailed not only into the wall but also (believe it or not) the ceiling. If you face that situation, you’ll want to take special care. I’d suggest your borrow, rent or buy a Sawzall for that issue, a special reciprocating saw. Other reciprocating saws may work as well.
Important tip: be clear about whether you plan to salvage or save the crown molding and reuse it or put it back on the wall. An example of this would be if you have mold or water damage under the molding, plan to fix that and simply replace the molding.
How to remove crown molding which was only nailed to the wall
Assemble the list of tools above (pry bar or “cat’s claw”, stud finder and a wedge or small board to put between molding and wall). Put on safety glasses if you intend to use those. Now, use the stud finder to determine each stud in the wall under the crown molding. Using the pry bar, gently work the crown molding loose from the wall. You may need to use a hammer to get the bar to go more deeply under the molding. You may also need to score the wallpaper and edges of the molding with a utility knife.
By starting with the molding above the studs, you will lessen the chances of damage to your dry wall, plaster or even wallpaper. Some people actually put wallpaper under their crown molding!
Important tip at this point of crown molding removal: work slowly, gently and with patience. Do not try to rip the molding from the wall. Your goal is to ease the nails from the wall and not tear up drywall, paint, plaster or anything else. Even with your best effort, there may be minimal damage but we were able to get our crown molding off with no major tears or damage to the underlying paint or drywall. If you can get a small shim or board between the molding and wall, you can protect your wall even more.
Special challenges for those who have to remove crown molding
What if the crown molding is glued directly to the wall? What if the molding is attached to wood that is then attached to the wall? When renovating homes, I’ve seen both situations. Even worse, what if the crown molding is nailed into the wall and the ceiling? I wish I had a simple answer but your best bet may be to call in a specialist. If you really want to handle this yourself – as I have – you need to rent or buy a Sawzall or similar type of reciprocating saw. You can see one here at Amazon.
This will help you cut through any nails or other pieces attached to the wall and potentially avoid pulling down plaster. It won’t be as easy as removing crown molding which is simply nailed into the wall but you can do this if you use common sense and patience. Don’t get easily discouraged and go slow.
If your molding is glued directly to the wall, I’d consult a specialist and go from there.
What to do after you take down your crown molding: reuse it, recycle it or scrap it
If you are planning to simply repaint or add new wallpaper to your wall and want to put back the crown molding, take a hammer and gently tap the nails through the crown molding backwards. Be careful not to split the wood. If you have water damage or mold on your wall, treat the area and make sure any underlying problem is addressed. Let the wall dry out thoroughly and then reattach the crown molding. Paint over it.
If you don’t want the molding any more or it is damaged or stained, you might decide to scrap it. If it is fine condition but not to your taste, consider recycling it or asking an organization like Habitat for Humanity if they can use it.
Sources for tools:
We bought our pry bar for only $2.99 from a local hardware store. You can see the exact same model here. We already had safety glasses, a hammer and a utility knife. All should be available at your hardware store or a major chain store for home improvement like Lowes, Sears and similar big stores.
A final word of advice about crown molding removal:
Most of the time, a determined homeowner can handle this job. Give it a try and you might be pleasantly surprised. Again, patience, going slow and gently prying the crown molding from your wall should result in excellent results with minimal or no damage to your drywall.
