Demolition of Walls and Partitions

Demolition of walls and partitions is a complex and labor-intensive technological process that requires professional construction skills. This type of work is usually carried out when expanding a room or carrying out apartment, house, or industrial space remodeling by joining two or more rooms.

In remodeling interiors of residential and public buildings, in addition to demolition work, the construction of new walls is often required. This comprehensive set of construction and repair works allows for a complete transformation of a standard apartment or office to suit the needs of the property owner.

Rules for Demolishing Walls and Partitions

Walls can be internal, external, load-bearing, or non-load-bearing. According to safety construction regulations, load-bearing walls must not be demolished. You may remove walls between two rooms in a single space or for the purpose of combining a bathroom. External walls are not always load-bearing, but they must not be removed either.

The base material for walls and partitions is brick, concrete, or cement. The effort, time, and cost of hiring workers and materials for wall demolition vary depending on the volume of work and the time required to complete it.

Primarily, the cost depends on the wall's thickness and material, presence of plaster, and internal reinforcement. Removing a concrete wall in a panel building is significantly more difficult and expensive than demolishing a brick or cement wall.

Partitions 8–10 cm thick can be safely demolished without consequences. However, concrete partitions in panel buildings, with a thickness of 10–12 cm, may provide structural support, so their removal is not recommended.

Demolition calculations must be handled by qualified specialists, as even if a wall is not load-bearing, it may still support upper floors. In such cases, wall demolition must be carried out with utmost caution.

“Stalinist” buildings are especially suitable for remodeling. These brick buildings have external walls that are simultaneously load-bearing, so extensive interior modifications can be made within apartments.

In some cases, wall demolition may require relocating electrical wiring, gas, or water pipes. However, removing walls with gas pipes is not permitted, as it may lead to emergency situations.

It is possible to demolish load-bearing walls, but extreme caution is required. When removing non-load-bearing partitions, there is no risk of compromising the building’s integrity. However, demolishing a load-bearing wall requires full structural calculations. Additionally, such remodeling must be approved, and a permit must be obtained from the relevant authorities. Only qualified professionals should carry out such work.

How to Demolish a Brick Wall Yourself

Required tools: sledgehammer, chisel, hammer, drill. If electrical wiring is present in the wall, the room must be de-energized at minimum, and it’s better to remove the wiring before starting.

First, remove the plaster. To avoid damaging the floor, cover it with old material. Also, walls should be moistened to reduce dust. Only after removing the plaster and putty can the wall be broken apart.

Breaking the first bricks in a brick wall is the most difficult part. They are firmly secured, so it will be challenging. After that, the process becomes much easier, as the bond has been broken. Avoid removing several bricks at once; limit yourself to one or two. Otherwise, multiple bricks falling simultaneously may damage the floor.