Mounting TVs on the wall is gradually going out of style as most residences do not allow altering the walls within the house. There are several reasons why you might want to remove the TV from its wall mount in your home.
Some of the most common reasons include relocation, procurement of a bigger TV, home restructuring, etc. Regardless of why you want to remove your TV from its wall mount, we will recommend how to go about it without damaging the wall or your TV.
An Overview of TV Wall Mount
A wall mount is designed to be used to attach your TV directly to a wall. It can be used anywhere in the house – living room, bedroom, etc. A wall mount allows you to place your TV across your TV, giving you a wide viewing range.
Most TV features a wall mount option with a basic low-profile mount usually included in the TV box. Also, some TV brands offer free wall-mount installation with your purchase, so you do not need to install the mount yourself.
A technician will be sent to help you handle the installation. Alternatively, if your TV does not come with a wall-mount add-on, you can purchase an aftermarket wall-mount and have it installed yourself or with the help of a friend.
A wall mount requires a bit of effort to both install and uninstall as you have to be extremely careful when attaching or detaching the mount from the wall. You can use different tools and drilling machines to attach screws to mount your TV on the wall.
However, different wall mounts require different techniques. Here’s an overview of the types of wall mounts; you’ll likely have one of these.
Three Types of TV Wall Mount
There are different types of wall mounts. Below are some of them:
1. Fixed Wall Mount
A fixed wall mount or a low-profile mount is sturdy and easy to install. It is cheap compared to other wall mounts. It allows users to place their TV flat against the wall.
This wall mount is suitable if you will be sitting directly in front of your TV. When installing this wall mount, it is advisable to place it at eye level. The downside of this wall mount is that you won’t be able to adjust your TV except you remove it entirely from the wall to reposition it once you mount it.
2. Tilting Wall Mount
A tilting wall mount is relatively pricey. It is easy to install, and unlike the fixed mount, you can adjust your TV once you mount it. This wall mount allows users to get a good view in whatever position they are watching their TV from.
If you are using this wall mount, you can place your TV in high places. However, note that it has limited adjustment angles, and you cannot tilt it horizontally.
3. Full Motion Wall Mount
A full motion wall mount might require the help of a professional, as installing it can be complicated. Also, it is more expensive than a fixed and tilting wall mount.
Once installation is done, a full-motion wall mount is flexible; you can move your TV to any angle and direction. This flexibility is possible because a full-motion wall mount features a moveable arm that connects the panel to the wall.
Step by Step Guide on How to Remove a TV from a Wall Mount
As mentioned above, removing a TV from a wall mount is hassle-free. The process takes less than 30 minutes. As also stated, different products might require different techniques, however, there’s a general way to get it done!
Below is a step by step guide on how to generally remove a TV from a wall mount:
- Unplug the cables from your TV
The first step is to disconnect the power cables from the wall socket. And also, ensure that you unplug all cables connected to the TV.
All attachments to the TV, such as video game console, movie player, HDMI cable, etc., should be removed and kept aside after disconnecting them from the TV. This is to prevent the cables from getting caught or stuck when removing the bracket.
- Remove Nearby Devices
If there are any devices close to the TV, it is advisable to remove them. This is to ensure that you do not hit them by mistake.
- Remove the Mount Safety Lock
Most wall mounts feature a safety lock. The safety lock can either be the screw-type, pull string, or horizontal locking bar.
If yours is a screw-type lock, you can use a long screwdriver to unscrew the lock at the lower part of the TV—a screwdriver of at least 12 inches long.
Two pieces of string are attached to a latch to form a pull string lock. To unlock the string, find the strings at the lower part of the TV and pull them. Once you hear a click sound, the hold on the lower part of the TV will loosen.
The horizontal locking bar is easy to unlock. The lock features a long bar that funs from the left to the right side of the TV. You can access the bar lock from the sides by pulling it.
It is advisable to consult your wall mount owner manual to guide you on removing the safety lock on your mount.
- Remove the TV
Once you can remove the safety lock on your wall mount, you will be about to lift/tilt your TV. Proceed to remove the TV from the wall by lifting it gently from the wall mount.
Be careful, modern TVs are VERY delicate!
To avoid scratching the screen, you can carefully lift the TV over the mount and place it on a soft surface. You might want to consider getting a TV screen protector if you’ll be moving the TV. It is advisable to lay the TV face down.
- Remove the Mount Bracket
Once you have safely removed the TV from the mount, you will see the mount bracket. You can proceed to unscrew the mounts. Usually, four screws attach the bracket to your TV. Carefully unscrew them, and the bracket will come off.
- Remove the Wall Mount
Next is to remove the wall mount. To do that, you will have to unscrew the mount from the wall using a screwdriver. Carefully unscrew all bolts so as not to damage the wall.
- Fill the Holes
The area where the bolts were in will leave a hole. It is advisable to fill the holes in the wall. You can also repaint it if you feel like it.
Conclusion
Unmounting a TV from its wall mount is relatively easy, depending on the size and weight of your TV. TV mounts come with either a screw, bar, or pull-string lock. And each pack of wall mounts comes with a user manual.
The user manual helps you navigate how to mount and unmount your TV. Before you unmount your TV, it is essential to get the TV wall mount manual and a screwdriver handy. If you are having difficulty unmounting your TV, you can contact a technician.
