How do I remove a 50 year old porcelain cast iron tub from my bath?

JoeStatenIsland
by JoeStatenIsland
I want to redo my bathroom. This old tub is certainly too heavy to attempt to lift out in one piece.
  14 answers
  • Kim Kim on Aug 31, 2017

    A large sledge hammer works wonderfully! The pieces will be sharp and heavy. There will be porcelain splinters (glass shards) to clean up. Your tub remains cannot be put in a trash can or residential dumpster. You will need a way to haul it to the dump.

    😊

  • Bonnie Knight Bonnie Knight on Aug 31, 2017

    Sledge hammer and cutting torch for the cast iron would be my solution. Actually, if you could get it through your doorway, try a big heavy duty hand truck that moves refrigerators or the like. My issue would be like most homes with theses type of tubs will have smaller doorways and limited turn around space. You may seriously have to destroy it to remove it!

  • Offer it for sale or for free, let the takers remove for you.

  • 2dogal 2dogal on Aug 31, 2017

    Do you know how many people would die for your tub? Why not try to incorporate it in your new decorations. If it needs to be refinished, there are companies that can do it and also DIY videos.

  • Num10123021 Num10123021 on Aug 31, 2017

    If you happen to live in central Texas I might like the opportunity to save the tub instead of destroying it.


  • JoeStatenIsland JoeStatenIsland on Aug 31, 2017

    I thought about refinishing it but I read that doesn't last and will have to repeat the smelly process every three years.

  • Iris Browning Iris Browning on Aug 31, 2017

    We took out the wall behind the tub (cast iron) and removed it through a sliding door!!!



  • Ebbjdl Ebbjdl on Aug 31, 2017

    Give a call to a plumbing place, or a place that takes junk. They might take it but you run the risk that they don't know what their doing, and ruin your plumbing. Call a professional, and pay the price, no headaches. Good Luck!


  • Virginia Virginia on Aug 31, 2017

    Are you planning to have a contractor or company install a new tub or shower? Ask if they will also take out your cast - iron tub.

  • I have seen re-glazed tubs and tile that look great and it lasts years provided you keep it clean with spray cleaner and NEVER use harsh abrasives to clean it. New quality tubs are expensive; cheap tubs show wear in about three years. Check with as many re-glazers as you can and check out their references before committing to a company. Ask a lot of questions about how they will do the project and if they have any warranty on their work. If you went to buy a tub like this today, it would be several hundred dollars.

    • Jeanne Jeanne on Sep 03, 2017

      I second this advice! When remodeling years ago, we took out the cast iron and porcelain tub ourselves, with a jack, and a hand truck to get it out of the house. We used it for a water trough outside. It weighed hundreds of pounds. Later, my carpenter asked me why we hadn't had it re-glazed. Also, the replacement was smaller and not as well-made .

  • Logan Scott Logan Scott on Sep 03, 2017

    Plus people pay good money for cast iron tubs especially antique dealers but they have to be a certain type of cast iron tub

  • Les and Gina Les and Gina on Sep 03, 2017

    Why remove it just repaint it. First remove the anti slip strips use lacquard thinner to remove the sticky residue now go to a home improvement store and buy a kit we used Homex follow the directions and you will have a brand new tub for pennies instead of hundreds of dollars

  • Ebbjdl Ebbjdl on Sep 03, 2017

    The tub needs to be broken down, it was probably put in with a crane, before the house was completed. Call some plumbing businesses, and ask them how to remove this. Make sure you use water resistant green sheetrock on all the walls. Good Luck!