Many contractors today will give you a break if you do some of the job yourself. Demolition, for example is something that does cost money. If you do it yourself, and any repairs, you only need pay for installation of the new products.
In the bathroom, the largest object is the bathtub. It can be in an alcove, or extend from one wall to the other. It can be freestanding, as in the case of a cast iron tub with legs, or a tub/shower surround.
We’ll explore each in this article. Keep in mind that cast iron tubs are again very popular and worth money- don’t just throw it out. Put it on Craigslist or offer it to the contractor for part of the payment. The contractor may know/have a buyer. You never know.
Before You Begin
Get help if you need it- pulling your back out or getting injured is no fun. Get the proper permits from your local code office.
Measure the space the current bathtub sits in, and measure the distance from the wall to the drain. You’ll need these when purchasing the new tub. Buying something that won’t fit is frustration on a level you don’t want to experience- some stores won’t or can’t take a bathtub back, especially a custom job.
You won’t be moving this thing by yourself. Get help- they are extremely heavy.
Turn the water off. If the faucet is attached to the tub, remove it. If you’re not keeping the faucet, try not to damage it- old faucets are once again desirable for remodelers.
Disconnect the drain. Make certain the feet aren’t bolted down. As heavy as these things are, they really don’t t need it, but someone in the past may have done it anyway- I’ve seen it once, as a child. I didn’t ask why.
Tape cardboard or MDF to the floor to protect it from the tub.
Sit down and discuss the safest and best way to get it out of the room. If this involves removing the toilet, do so now.
Using as much help as necessary, move the old tub out of the bathroom.
Conventional or ModernTub
These look pretty from the front, but really only have one side to them, as they are attached to the wall on three sides.
Using a putty knife or utility knife, break the caulk around the tub.
Turn the water off. You don’t want to have water all over the room when you remove a faucet.
Working carefully, remove the drain with a pair of pliers- you should be able to screw it out- easily, I hope. Remove the faucets.
If the wall is tiled, remove at least six to eight inches of tile from the wall.
Using a drywall saw, or power saw set only to the thickness of the drywall, remove six to eight inches of drywall above the tub.
You’ll see the screws or nails securing the tub to the wall studs. Remove these- if a metal strip runs along the tub lip, remove it as well.
Using the putty or utility knife, cut the caulk along the front side of the tub at the floor.
Get a pry bar and lift the tub off the floor. Place a short length of wood- 1-by-4 or 2-by-4 to lift the tub out of place.
Plastic Shower Surrounds
These are very popular, and work in small bathroom spaces. Remove the shower doors, and turn the water off.
Remove the faucets, and the shower head and supply pipe.
Remove the drain.
Using the putty or utility knife, cut the caulk around the unit at the wall joints and the floor joints.
Since the plastic walls are often cemented to the drywall, you are probably going to lose some drywall with this one. Cut around the surround, and using the power saw set only for the depth of the drywall, cut it into sections and remove it.
Use the pry bar to pull the drain pan up from the floor and remove it.
Cutting up or destroying the tub to remove it
This is a tricky subject, since not all tubs are or were made of the same substances.
You can indeed cover a cast iron tub with moving quilts and tarps, beat it with a sledge hammer to break it up and carry the pieces out. Alternatively, you could put it up for free on Craigslist and let the new owners carry it out. Some old cast iron tubs run in the thousands of dollars, even those needing refinishing. It’s worth checking out to save you the labor.
Steel tubs may be cut with a reciprocating saw, or lifted out whole.
Polymer or fiberglass tubs are easily cut with a reciprocating saw.
Marble tubs- why would you destroy this? It’s worth a mint.
If the decision has been made to destroy the tub for it’s removal, of course wear all the proper safety gear for eyes, ears, hands and breathing. A bathroom is a small space- it’s going to be loud.
You might have sore muscles for a few days, but you’ve just saved yourself nearly a thousand dollars off your remodeling project, depending on your area. Be proud of yourself.
Source: Jeff Day (2003). “Home Improvement 1-2-3,” Des Moines, IA, Meredith Publishing Group
