How can we safely remove brick and stone from our kitchen wall as DIY beginners in our new home?
Asked by Batur Tunçeri 
8 months ago
Last Updated: May 4, 2024
Hey, I could use some advice! My husband and I recently purchased a house and we’re thinking about removing the brick and stone from the kitchen wall. Any tips on the best way to tackle this? We’re pretty new to DIY so any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for any help you can offer! 😅
If it’s stone facing, grab a pry bar. You might have to cover it with drywall. I’m guessing the wall will get damaged. The Grey seemed like the cheap paneling they use in mobile homes. But it should be easier to take down.
What on earth am I looking at? Who would actually choose that aesthetic? Not judging, but the previous owners had interesting taste. Haha. I would recommend removing it carefully. It might require redoing the drywall, but it will be worth it. And definitely get rid of that old oven. Time for an upgrade!
I’m a bit lost – does the kitchen connect to the family room? The mix of tile and wood flooring is throwing me off. It’s weird.
Seems like it could have been created in Minecraft 😬
I believe my grandson constructed that😂
I can totally picture an 11-year-old saying ‘I’m gonna use all my brick colors and put an oven in the middle. Boom!’
It’s not just about the wall, it’s the whole package 😂
Such a retro vibe from the 70s.
Oh my goodness… seriously. Did someone intentionally do that?
I suggest cutting it out and adding new drywall instead. All you need is drywall board, drywall mud, and drywall screws. It shouldn’t cost too much, then just prime and paint over it.
The brick seems genuine, but is the wall actually made of real stone? It kind of gives off a faux stone vibe, so it might not be too difficult to remove. It’s divided into sections, like tiles.
Totally get it, I’d probably want to ditch the stone and stick with the brick if it were me.
Shawn it seems like Z-brick to me. My husband added a wall of it in our kitchen in the late 70’s to mix things up from all the paneling when we first got the house in 1978.
I think I’d just paint them all the same color and call it a day.
Oh no, definitely bring that down! Haha. It looks like you might need to replace the drywall to get a smooth finish for painting. One quick fix could be removing the rocks and bricks with a chisel and hammer, then covering with something like shiplap planks for a more modern look. Best of luck!
The back of the oven is right by the closet! 😂😂😂😂😂
For a simple solution, consider painting the red bricks black. It’s an easy fix and should only cost around $20.
You might actually enjoy it as it will at least be a good fit.
Totally agree
Understands
I wonder if the previous owner liked to drink?
Just tear it down to the bare studs. There’s no need to salvage anything and it’ll make your job easier.
You’re actually doing a favor by getting rid of this from the Earth.
Use a sledge hammer
Take off the baseboard, grab the hammer and crowbar. Cover the area with plastic to keep the rest of the house clean during the demolition. Remember to wear a n95 mask for your lungs and safety glasses for your eyes, and maybe a hard hat to prevent head injuries 🤕. Best of luck
Begin at the bottom to plan out your demolition. It’s probable that you’ll be removing everything down to the studs and then replacing it with drywall, taping, and painting
Frank ato yes
Frank ato agrees. You might want to consider grabbing some steel toe boots and laying down flattened cardboard on the floor for some extra padding in case the rocks start falling. It’s hard to predict how it will all come down until you actually start. This task seems quite challenging to me, but I’d definitely tackle it to get it out of the way! 🤣
How about using a big hammer and enjoying a cold beer?
You should be able to easily remove it with a hammer and a flat bar. It’s likely just a veneer
Is that a stove inside? Woof
Well, I believe some really good tips have been shared. The previous owner seemed to favor two different brick tones and two-tone flooring. But that oak door is really nice! If it were me, I’d remove the entire closet and begin fresh with either cabinets or a bigger walk-in area. Best of luck with the renovation – I know it will be a lot of work!
It might be expensive to get rid of. If it were up to me, I’d opt for plaster or textured concrete to cover it up.
It doesn’t cost anything to give it a good beating, knock it down, and take it out.
Yeah, then sand it nice and smooth, and the paint will look like a regular wall.
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Take out the oven and grab a sledgehammer
We used to have a rock wall like that, except the rocks were massive! We were shocked by how easily a crowbar and hammer removed it. After that, we had to skim coat the drywall, sand it down, and paint. The amount of damage to your wall will determine the effort required, but you can definitely do it! The end result will be totally worth it!
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Seems unreal…are they authentic?
That’s so weird. I would definitely remove that!
Get started swinging. Also, consider purchasing a broom
Grab a sledge hammer
I would recommend getting the corded one since it is more cost-effective.
To protect the floor, consider using 1/2” plywood or something similar. Purchase a box of contractor bags for the garbage. Renting a chipping gun from Home Depot can help with removing the brick. You may also find a 3’ pry bar useful. Best of luck!
You could consider painting it white, that might look nice
In fluorescent pink
In my opinion, bricks and stone that have been painted look worse than just leaving them plain.
No problem in my opinion, decor from the 70s and 80s seemed worse than simple DIY tricks to give them a more current look. And that’s where we stand.
Indeed, swapping out and updating is the way.
Totally agree! That’s a great idea and such an easy fix!
It seems like cladding. A pry bar is where you should begin.
Let’s avoid sledge hammers, they are usually just for TV shows. You never know what could be hidden in the wall.
How about painting the large rocks one color and the bricks a different shade? Or just go ahead and grab a hammer!
Are they already like that? 😄
What do you mean you don’t like it? I’m sure the person who built that took a step back, appreciated their work, then poured another drink. 😆 But seriously, grab a drop cloth, a couple of hammers, and pry bars. Try to remove the oven with minimal damage, although it won’t be easy.
I recommend removing the oven from the wall before starting.
That’s probably a fake stone veneer. It should be easy to remove.
If it were me, I’d just go with whitewashing it and call it a day
Grab a medium-sized hammer and a reliable chisel. Once you’ve covered and taped everything you want to protect, start at the top and work your way down, one stone at a time. Use a wheeled construction trash bin and only fill it one-third full, emptying it as you progress. Clean up as you go and you’ll be surprised at how quickly you finish. Remember, the key is to clean as you go and wear proper safety gear. Best of luck!
Why is there a closet behind the stove? Wouldn’t that look out of place?
This is a bit overwhelming with all the different floors and walls. Are you going for a chaotic look?
Really got on my nerves😝
Exactly, !
To prevent rocks and bricks from falling while you work, lay down particle board or scrap plywood on the floor. And don’t forget to protect yourself with steel-toed boots and goggles. We want to avoid any unplanned trips to the ER!
I’d also remove the stove.
Definitely worth a try if it’s not too challenging. I haven’t attempted it before, so I’m not sure how heavy ovens are or if special equipment is required, etc.
It’s not difficult, just heavy.
The wiring must be redone correctly to avoid the risk of fire.
The issue is that there are most likely wires, pipes, and other things inside that poorly positioned wall
Based on the picture, it appears to be stone and brick cladding that can be easily removed with a hammer and chisel.
Good old BAH will make that a breeze. 👍🏼
Oh no! Seems like it’s just a veneer. You can grab a chisel and mallet to get started.
Change the frame and bury it all for an easier and less messy process.
To me, those appear to be imitation rocks.
Start on the edge near the closet with the air hammer… it should remove them quickly, just be sure to keep your hands away from the chisel.
These things are amazing! Perfect for getting rid of Stucco…just quite noisy.
My son-in-law faced a pipe break in a concrete wall… it only took me about 10 minutes to access and chip away the area for the necessary repair. This was a crucial task for me as a handyman.
Purchased ramboard floor protector with two layers of tape on all edges and seams. She recommends using purple masking tape when going over delicate floors to avoid leaving a residue. When pulling out the oven inset and baseboard, you will be able to determine if it’s a veneer overlay or actual stone/bricks. Demolition is the fun part with hammers and bars.
My suggestion would be to demolish the current wall, replace the sheetrock, and paint the new wall. I think this change will enhance the overall look of your beautiful home. Best of luck!
If it were me, I’d start by painting to see if that makes a difference in appearance.
To tackle this, you could try a full renovation – think “Hulk Smash!” Take it down to the basics and start fresh with new materials.