Replies

1. 
   Mongo | Dec 03, 2008 06:37pm | #1

   A sledge will do the trick.

   If you need a bit more control of the process, then scoring with an angle grinder, then a sledge, will give you the amount of breakup you need.

   Fragments can fly. Ear drums can shatter. Plan accordingly.

1. 
   remodlrj | Dec 03, 2008 06:46pm | #2

   Thanks Mongo, I guess that's what I expected and what I always wanted to avoid. Will I really have to wail on the tub or will moderate force do the trick?

1. 
   Mongo | Dec 03, 2008 07:03pm | #3

   Depends on the tub.Scoring with a grinder does help, I think I read elsewhere that a few even use sawzalls.Without scoring you do have to take a full swing. The worst is kickback. Example, hitting flat on the face of the apron, if it doesn't break, it'll give a good dose of kickback due to rebound. Whacking it on a corner will give less kickback, but the tub is stronger. Once I used a hand sledge and a cold chisel to score a break line on the front, then whacked with a sledge. It broke easily, but I'm not sure if that was the pre-scoring or the tub was just easy to break. I've only broken out 3 or 4 over the years, so no real trends or tricks that I can offer.

2. 
   rasconc | Dec 03, 2008 07:06pm | #4

   Do you have to deal with stairs?  I use one of the carpeted furniture dollies.  Get it loose from wall and plumbing and with a little help get it on the side, raise one end up, slide it on and roll it out.  If near a rural area offer it to a farmer or take it to scrap yard. 

   First one I did I backed truck up to porch and slid it right in.  Took it to a neighbor farmer and asked him if he wanted it.  He said "how much", I told him free to a good home.  He pointed to where he wanted it and I put the tailgate down and backed up at a good clip and hit the brakes, waved and drove off.  Took him another one about six months later.

   For those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.

   Edited 12/3/2008 11:07 am ET by rasconc

2. 
   KenHill3 | Dec 03, 2008 07:37pm | #5

   Wail on 'er with a BIG sledge. Angle grinder works to pre-determine size of chunks- if not, then just break them up more until bite-sized. WEAR SAFETY GLASSES. Also. it helps to cover with plastic tarp or something- glass chips will be a-flyin'.

3. 
   Jed42 | Dec 03, 2008 11:40pm | #6

   Unfortunately, I have broken up about 25 billion of these stupid things...

   The first hole will take you quite a few whacks.  I always start in the back of the tub about 2/3 of the way down.  Go around the tub in that way - you can think about it like you are removing the bottom from the tub.  After the first hole, it will go relatively quickly.  Break the top up at the ends, effectively into 4 pieces or more.  If you already have the trap removed, cool.  Then the bottom will lift up.  If not, you may have to break it up around the drain.

   YOU WILL GET CUT BADLY IF YOU ARE NOT CAREFUL!!!  Gloves, safety glasses and earplugs are a MUST for this project.

   I always use a 4lb hand sledge with a wedge on one side, head on the other.  The wedge is good for getting started and cutting the top into those 4 pieces I mentioned earlier (breaks the tub bends easily).

   I wish you luck.  Sometimes it's a bit of fun.  ~~It's you and the tub.  You must win!~~

    

   Jed

   No Coffee No Workee!
4. 
   GregGibson | Dec 04, 2008 12:57am | #7

   Last one I busted up, I got $35 for it at the scrapyard.

   Greg

5. 
   MSA1 | Dec 04, 2008 04:31am | #8

   No better part of demoing a bathroom then sending the helper outside, putting on the safety glasses, and taking out a little aggresion.

   I prefer the 10lb sledge (AKA wallpaper removal tool).  

    

   Family.....They're always there when they need you.

1. 
   Jed42 | Dec 04, 2008 06:28am | #9

   I prefer the 10lb sledge (AKA wallpaper removal tool).  

   Man, that's funny!No Coffee No Workee!

6. 
   Catskinner | Dec 04, 2008 07:46am | #10

   These guys are not joking about the fragments. You can get hurt.

   A few stripes of duct tape run different directions at the first five or six points you want to strike with the hammer will cut down on the frag hazard. Once it starts breaking up its not as bad.

   My first real job (yeah right) was firefighter/rescueman. We had to break stuff carefully sometimes. Like for taking windows out quickly above ground level duct tape was always handy.
1. 
   remodlrj | Dec 12, 2008 03:13am | #21

   Duct tape was the key ingredient.  Plastic worked real well to tame the lethal shards.  Wish I remembered the ear plugs.  All went remarkably well and I wonder why I've been so damned stubborn over the past twenty years to insist on removing them intact.  I used a 12 lb. sledge and it broke up easily.  Wish I had worked on switch hitting more as a youngster as the right side went went easier than the left.  Thanks for all your feedback.  Breaking things is fun!  Wish I could do more of it.

   Jay

1. 
   Catskinner | Dec 13, 2008 05:45am | #22

   <<Duct tape was the key ingredient. >>Glad you got to read that prior to demolition, and glad it worked.<<Breaking things is fun! >>That was one of the best parts of working Rescue. We would cut up cars for practice on weekends. My guys could easily get the engine and transmission out of a full-size American car in less than two minutes.From what I understand there are car thieves who can top that, but not by much.<<Wish I could do more of it.>>Next time you have a bigger demo job rent a trackhoe. It's a blast. We can sh*tcan a house by lunchtime the first day.

   Edited 12/12/2008 9:46 pm by Catskinner

7. 
   Pelipeth | Dec 04, 2008 01:50pm | #11

   In many instances you must break it up. What no one here is mentioning is the residual damage to ajoining walls ceilings etc. It can get real ugly and create alot more work in other areas.

1. 
   Jed42 | Dec 05, 2008 08:15pm | #14

   In many instances you must break it up. What no one here is mentioning is the residual damage to ajoining walls ceilings etc. It can get real ugly and create alot more work in other areas

   Won't say it's not gonna happen, but I have not had this problem.  I do suggest removing any pictures and knick-knacks off of shelves and walls in adjoining rooms, but other than a couple nail pops, no real problems. 

   It surprised me, too.  I was expecting to have big issues the first time I did it.

   But like I said to begin with...I'm not saying it won't happen...No Coffee No Workee!

1. 
   remodlrj | Dec 06, 2008 02:05am | #15

   Thanks to all your posts. What I've been hearing makes me affirm why I've avoided breaking them up before. But as I stated before I'm not getting any younger and yes the next tub is on a second floor with the only access a relatively tight winding staircase. But thanks to your suggestions I think I have some tactics to employ that will allow me to approach it with eyes wide open (but covered with safety glasses). Thanks All!

1. 
   retiree | Dec 06, 2008 05:05am | #16

   Please do not forget to cover with a blanket or tarp before you start attacking. It breaks up pretty easy, but the blanket will hold down the sharp shards. If you don't cover then expect damage and lots of cuts.

8. 
   Ted W. | Dec 04, 2008 07:43pm | #12

   If it's a nice tub in decent condition you might be able to let someone else carry it out. Archictectural salvage dealers will come out and take it away. However, I would only deal with professionals because of insurance. Wouldn't want to be paying for Joe Handyman's bad back for the rest of his life.

   See my work at TedsCarpentry.com
   Buy Cheap Tools! BuildersTools.net

   If you haven't already done so, please update your profile. Since many issues are dependant on the region in which you work, we often look at your profile to see where you are writing from.

9. 
   PeteDraganic | Dec 05, 2008 04:19pm | #13

   If you must bust it up i strongly suggest earplugs....

   otherwise, you might want to put an ad on Craigslist and see if someone else wants to cart it out for you.... free tub! (free labor!)

    

   I refuse to accept that there are limitations to what we can accomplish.        Pete Draganic

    

   Take life as a test and shoot for a better score each day.          Matt Garcia

10. 
    musashi | Dec 06, 2008 05:26am | #17

    My $.02:

    I've done 2 of them.  The first, with a 4 lb. lump hammer.  The second with a 10 pounder with a long handle.  From my experience, the smaller hammer was far too much of a workout on the forearm and wrist.

    Swinging the larger hammer made the job almost fun. (Let's face it, guys like to smash things up...and yeah, I'm no different.)

    I sacrificed an old moving blanket, and put it over the action.  I felt a lot safer that way.  Of course, heavy long pants and long sleeves are a must, as well as goggles. 

    Keep the malt beverages cold; they will be necessary upon finishing.

    Alex

     

     

    Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read.
    -Groucho Marx

    
    

    ---

    Edited 12/5/2008 9:28 pm ET by musashi

1. 
   Jed42 | Dec 08, 2008 03:54am | #18

   ...oooh, great idea with the moving blanket.  Was it any quieter?

    No Coffee No Workee!

2. 
   Ted W. | Dec 08, 2008 04:11am | #19

   I've done maybe a dozen of them and never thought about covering it, even though I've actually had small shards stick into my skin (it's like a mosquito bite). Thanks for the good tip.See my work at TedsCarpentry.comBuy Cheap Tools! BuildersTools.net

   If you haven't already done so, please update your profile. Since many issues are dependant on the region in which you work, we often look at your profile to see where you are writing from.

1. 
   timothale | Dec 13, 2008 07:17am | #23

   best wak is to hire somd big high school kids and use the precautions noted above.

1. 
   Ted W. | Dec 14, 2008 02:52am | #24

   "best wak is to hire somd big high school kids..."

   Maybe the school football or wrestling team. They usually don't mind a little extra conditioning. See my work at TedsCarpentry.comBuy Cheap Tools! BuildersTools.net

   If you haven't already done so, please update your profile. Since many issues are dependant on the region in which you work, we often look at your profile to see where you are writing from.

11. 
    DDay | Dec 08, 2008 06:46am | #20

    i bet you have a salvage company in your area or a tub refinisher or reused building supply yard there will come out and take it from you. I'd give that a shot since you can sit and watch.