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Bathtub replacement

| Posted in General Discussion on May 7, 2000 10:20am

*
The wife wants to replace the existing tub with a new one. The bath is a 5×8 room. Existing tub is between walls (5 ft long). Having looked hard at it, it would appear that there is no way to remove the old and install the new without tearing out a wall. It seems as though there would not be aenough room to turn or rotate the tub in or out. Having never replaced a tub I may be overlooking something. Am I right in my assumption or is there a way to do it without tearing out a wall? I sure could use the advice of someone who has done it.

Thanks

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  1. Guest_ | May 06, 2000 03:11am | #1

    *
    You could cut the tubs in two.

    : )

    1. Guest_ | May 06, 2000 05:38am | #2

      *Ken, I've taken a lot of cast iron tubs out of small baths. It's a little dangerous, which means it also is kind of fun. You get a sledge hammer, safety glasses long sleeves, gloves and maybe a full face stocking cap. Close the door and start swinging. I say dangerous, because the cast iron shrapnel, and porceline slivers can do real damage to unprotected flesh. The tub will soon be in a lot of easily handled pieces to carry out. If your tub is fiberglass or acrylic, the sawz-all is the weapon of choice. Hope this helps, John

      1. Guest_ | May 06, 2000 05:47am | #3

        *JRS forgot to add hearing protection. It is like a bomb going off. To put the new tub in you will neesd to cut away some dry wall.

        1. Guest_ | May 06, 2000 07:12am | #4

          *If you can't get the old tub out without cutting it, or busting it, then you can't get a new one in.These tubs will come out with a little help. The key is to have a strong helper, and remove enough of the wall covering above the tub to get it out. You will also have to undo any drain plumbing (just disconnect) and anything else that would hold the tub down. You will have to lift the back edge of the tub up a little to get it off of the ledger board that it sits on. Slide the tub toward you a little (enough to clear the plumbing fixtures sticking out of the wall) and tilt the outside edge of the tub up. Once the tub is sitting on its outside edge, you can very slowly and carefully slide the tub in a clockwise direction. You should wind up with the tub on its side, front and back end facing the widest part of the room (the 8' length) Just think of the room as east/west and north/south. East and west is the 5' width, and north and south is the 8' width of the room. The tub should be facing (front end and back end) north and south, with the tub sitting on its side. If the old tub is cast iron, it will be very, very heavy. Have a friend help you who is capable of handling that much weight easily. Same with installing a new cast iron. Steel tubs, and fiberglass/acrylic tubs are light, and easy to handle. It is a probability that the toilet will have to come out, and possibly the vanity too, in order to gain the necessary clearance for removing the old tub, and installing the new. Hope I didn't confuse you too much. James DuHamel

          1. Guest_ | May 06, 2000 08:54am | #5

            *Ken,Don't take any notice of these jokers. I'm sure most of them are just home handymen who have read too many DIY books.The ONLY way to remove a tub is as follows.Take 4 bags of high nitrate fertilizer and pour into the bath. ( Remenber to install the plug first ).Then tip in 4 gallons of Diesel and stir with a stick.Now take half a stick of.....

          2. Guest_ | May 06, 2000 12:57pm | #6

            *You know Mark, I'm going to be down in your neck of the woods the summer after this one. Perhaps you could set up a little demonstration of your, eh, "unique" tub removal method.... Of course we'll need to work out the safety glass issue and hearing protection.... S.

          3. Guest_ | May 07, 2000 10:20pm | #8

            *"If you can't get the old tub out without cutting it, or busting it, then you can't get a new one in."That's simply not true. Remodel tubs are sized specifically to get through smaller openings than tubs designed for new work. I've done it many times. Aker has a three piece remodel tub and surround built for just this purpose. The original tubs were installed before the door jambs, and in some homes those tubs won't come out without removing the door and jambs.Also, it is much easier on my back, and I take less risk damaging the customer's home on the way out, by removing the tub in pieces.Of course, there is no "right way" or "wrong way" to do this. It's whatever works for you.John

  2. Ken_Winningham | May 07, 2000 10:20pm | #7

    *
    The wife wants to replace the existing tub with a new one. The bath is a 5x8 room. Existing tub is between walls (5 ft long). Having looked hard at it, it would appear that there is no way to remove the old and install the new without tearing out a wall. It seems as though there would not be aenough room to turn or rotate the tub in or out. Having never replaced a tub I may be overlooking something. Am I right in my assumption or is there a way to do it without tearing out a wall? I sure could use the advice of someone who has done it.

    Thanks

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