How to get rid of these alcove shelves?

shu32876

Hi,
New to DIY, I'm trying to get rid of the existing Shelves in the alcove to replace with floating alcove shelves.
The current one doesn't look like are screwed to the walls, may be some kind of adhesive? Could anyone suggest how can I remove them easily?
https://imgur.com/a/Kkuu92e

Thanks

Lorian

I think my eyes just about detect its being held with two screws - which have been covered by wood filler - maybe an inch or two in from each side?

If so you scrape out the wood filler and undo the screws.

Remembering if they have been there a long time there is likely a hole in the wallpaper the same shape as the shelf!

-taff

Check if there are screws holding the supports in. If there are, it's possible that the screws holding up the shelves are behind these. That's the case with some of the fittings that were here, avoids all the visible screws.

shu32876

Lorian wrote: »

I think my eyes just about detect its being held with two screws - which have been covered by wood filler - maybe an inch or two in from each side?

If so you scrape out the wood filler and undo the screws.

Remembering if they have been there a long time there is likely a hole in the wallpaper the same shape as the shelf!

Bingo...found the screw:
https://imgur.com/a/80GBqbH
Is there any alternative to remove this wood filler easily apart from just scrapping it out?

Lorian

you could drill it out but unless you are saving the shelves its quicker to just scrape it out.

Be wary of the screw heads. they don't look in perfect condition. Only try unscrewing them when *all* the filler is out, use quite a big Philips screw driver and press with much body weight against the screw while unscrewing if you can, or you'll have nasty gnarly head and will need the next DIY technique to get the shelf off, and that one makes much more mess and noise :eek:

Doozergirl

My husband would have ripped that off the wall faster than you could ask the question!

You could just get the claw end of a hammer behind the wood and jimmy it off. Even just taking the glass off and applying your weight to the end of the bracket.

Much less faff. Repairs to the wall where the holes are will be necessary anyway.

shu32876

Finally managed to get 1 off after struggling for 30 mins or so. It had long 3.5 inch screws holding it to the wall.
First screw was 'screwed', luckily had a double sided screw extractor which worked like a charm.
5 more to go.....

Thanks

LandyAndy

Doozergirl wrote: »

My husband would have ripped that off the wall faster than you could ask the question!

You could just get the claw end of a hammer behind the wood and jimmy it off. Even just taking the glass off and applying your weight to the end of the bracket.

Much less faff. Repairs to the wall where the holes are will be necessary anyway.

This.

Just rip it off. I presume (hope) you'll be removing the wallpaper so you'll need to prep the wall anyway. A bit of extra filling won't take you very long.

shu32876

LandyAndy wrote: »

This.

Just rip it off. I presume (hope) you'll be removing the wallpaper so you'll need to prep the wall anyway. A bit of extra filling won't take you very long.

Thanks. It's all gone now. Will be removing wallpaper but it's looking good already