Removing the tub isn’t as easy as it appears however. How do you get rid of the tub that was previously in use without doing any damage to your tiles? Beware of using heavy equipment or applying additional force to the tub for instance. Be sure to cover the tiles as well to stop gauging and scratching. If you are able to get the tub out of the bathroom door and not break it, that’s great too.
Step 1: Measure
Begin by measuring the width as well as the length and the height of the old tub. Be sure to get the most wide points to avoid any problems. Also, take measurements of the door frame from bottom to top as well. It is essential to measure the doorframe accurately to make it easy to remove.
The goal here is to find out whether the tub could be taken away without having for it to break. The necessity of breaking the tub down could be difficult. First, it’s a huge cleaning effort. In addition, those pieces might cause damage to the tiles of the bathroom flooring. Make sure you know if you’re able to take your old tub out quickly before you do any other work.
Step 2: Removing the Door
If your measurements do not work and the door is not able to be removed, then taking it off could be your only alternative. Remove the door from the hinges with a screwdriver in case the tub isn’t big enough to fit. Be sure to place the door away from the way so that it doesn’t get smashed during the move.
Make sure to shut the hinges of the doorframe prior to moving. Make sure there aren’t any screws hanging out, because they could hurt quite a lot if you are caught by them. Now, the door will be set to be used for the tub.
Step 3: Clear Obstacles
If there is any obstructions, they’ll need to be eliminated. In smaller bathrooms, this may mean removing the toilet to create more space for the removal of the tub. Moving around in the bathtub be a challenge and even dangerous and therefore, make it easy on you.
Step 4: Cover the Tiles
Layer a sheet of cardboard on your tile in the bathroom. After the cardboard has been laid down equally, cover it with a sheet of plastic sheeting. Tape the edges and corners to ensure that it won’t move or lift up when you remove the tub.
Covers do not overlap with the caulk that is at the base of your tub. You’ll need to get rid of the caulk, and the cover may block your view or shift when moving.
Step 5: Shut Off the Water
With a protective layer installed, it’s now time to plan for the move of your tub. Begin by shutting the water off. When the water is shut off, remove the knob covers that cover both hot and cold water knobs. Be careful not to do this in order to prevent damage or breaking them.
Once the knobs are removed then insert a screwdriver into the hole of the downspout and turn the downspout in the process. Continue to loosen the screws until the downspout is finally taken off completely. Keep this piece of hardware in a container if you intend to sell the tub. Otherwise, throw it away after you dispose of the tub.
Step 6: Removing Pipe Components
After the downspout is addressed it’s time to unbolt the overflow parts. Unscrew the pipe that is used for overflow, and the valve’s cover as well as the trap for waste. A pipe wrench will work well for this task.
Once you’ve removed all these elements, loosen the lock nuts. Be sure to hold the drainpipe by using an adjustable wrench as you work through this process.
Step 7: Cut Old Pipes
Next step would be cutting through the pipe that was used for overflow on the wall. A handsaw is ideal for this, however an electric or battery powered saw is also a good choice. Older pipes are generally constructed of more durable metals and require a cutting blade that is able to cut through them.
For such projects choose a metal cutting knife for steel or cutting blade made of masonry for cast iron pipes. They will be able to cut through any type of old pipe with ease and with minimal strain and stress when cutting.
Step 8: Unscrewing the Water Lines
The water lines should be pulled out of your faucets at this moment. Make use of a spanner and safely remove the water lines since we’ll need them in the tub that will be built.
In the case of the pipes close to the tap tails, it is possible to employ the circular saw if can’t remove the pipes using screwscrews. If you are able to remove the components manually, you should consider this first since it is more secure and precise.
Step 9: Caulk Remover
We now need to address the caulk that is between the tub, the wall along with the floors. Apply a thin layer caulk remover for each one of the layers. Make sure you make use of the caulk remover to remove the caulk on the downspout and faucet.
Follow the manufacturer’s directions as far as waiting time to allow the caulk to become soft. Once the required period duration has been reached, apply the knife of a utility tool to cut the caulk. You might need to scrape or peel some of the caulk that has softened off the wall, tub or floor and make sure it is completely removed.
Step 10: Pry Up the Tub
All the lines are now disconnected The older pipes are cut off and the caulk is gone and it’s time to lift the tub out. Take care to remove the tub from the floor and insert pieces of wood beneath to secure it from the floor.
Then, carefully pull the tub off the wall and insert more scrap pieces to prevent it of the walls. The goal is to insert enough pieces so that the space can be wide enough to accommodate your hand.
Step 11: Slide the Tub Away
This tub is in good condition to go. Take a firm hold of the tub, then move off from wall. Take extra care to not scratch the tub or let it fall off from the wood scraps. It is important to continue to slide the tub away from the wall so that the walls do not be a problem when you are ready to completely remove it.
It’s an excellent idea to place a carpet roller on an end of your tub and lock the wheels. It will stop the tub from rolling , and also give the tub an additional level that will give it stability till the tub has been taken away. The tub should be lifted to the other end until it lands upon the roller of carpet. Then, you can easily slide it across the doorway (if it is able to fit) as well as out of your home.
Step 12: Breaking Apart the Tub
If you’re breaking the tub to remove it the tub, there is a safe and secure method to do it. Place a tarp or an old blanket on the top of the bathtub. Use a sledgehammer to smash the bathtub into pieces.
Make sure you strike the sides so that you don’t hit the bathtub from below. The force could transfer to the flooring, breaking, chipping or otherwise breaking the tiles that are beneath. Then, you can remove the bits from the tub and dispose of them quickly.
Related Questions
Does Removing a Bath Devalue Your Home?
In many contemporary homes, people choose standing showers as an alternative to traditional tubs. Although standup showers are known to be more convenient to use and also have contemporary aesthetics but it’s not advised to take the tub out.
Bathtubs are an essential feature for families, especially parents with small children. If you decide to take the bathtub from your home could harm its value to your house over the long haul. If you are planning to sell the house in the near future, taking the tub out could be detrimental to your final goal.
