Any body have any tips on removing an old PINK porcelin over cast iron tub? I hear the technique involves giant sledge hammers, flak jackets and a high risk of personal injury. Any other options?
Signed,
New to bathroom remodeling
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Replies
Don't forget the earplugs.
Some folks have claimed success with a Sawzall, but I've never totally believed them.
We do a half dozen of these a year. Throw a packing blanket over it to catch the spray and start hitting in the inside bend area between the floor of the tub and the wall of the tub in the corners. Use a heavy sledge, ear plugs and safety glasses. Break till pieces are to your liking. Don't forget to turn off the water first just in case. DanT
I had same problem, I covered the tub with cardboard to slow down any flying shards and nailed it with a sledgehammer, worked great and I was amazed how easily it shattered. Had saftety glasses and safety goggles on, just is case.
And wear heavy duty gloves when you're picking up the pieces.
Thanks to all for the good advice. I will armor myself appropriately to protect against shrapnel.
Cheers
Sledgeman
circular saw and a cheap abrasive blade.
get it loose ... ghet it into the center of the room ... flip it over if possible ...
ear protection ... easily cut away.
No flying tub parts to damage you .. or more importantly .. the rest of the room.
I usually cut it in half ... then that half ... in half.
4 easily carried piece that fit thru doorways ....
nice and neat.
Jeff
Buck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
Where's the fun in that approach?Arguing with a Breaktimer is like mud-wrestling a pig -- Sooner or later you find out the pig loves it.
that certainly sounds less dramatic and destructive.
I was sort of looking forward to all the smashing
I had one I could not break. It was a first floor bath adjacent to the driveway so I used a come-along to pull it out the window and into my truck.
big window!
Sawzall doesn't work worth beans, the enamel is really tough stuff to cut. Sledge hammer makes short work of getting it out, we covered the tub with pieces of old carpeting to dampen the shrapnel. Wear face and eye protection, heavy clothes help as well.
While I normally do the "right" thing, this is one time to go nuts, and get the sledge out, and have at it. If it's pink, I bet you're doing the whole room, so why not?
Man do those bits fly! Plug your ears, wear goggles, hat, gloves, the whole nine yards. Enjoy!Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
I tried the sledge hammer approach, thinking I had a cast iron tub. It was steel. Didn't do much, but Quasimodo would have felt right at home.
Pete Duffy, Handyman
for real fun an' excitement bustin up cast iron, try leaving the stings on and whaking the cast iron frame of an old upright piano!
Have not done that for a LONG time, but learned very fast to put well shod foot over strings and cut them first with cold chisel before bustin teh cast iron.