How do I remove and replace and old shower and tub?

Our Project Search is at the top left of this page. Type in Replacing Shower and Tub, or bathroom Reno.

There are great answers to the questions novices ask about this project.

Since the house is new to you, locate the water shut-off valve and mark it clearly. Ascertain what your tub is made of (porcelain or plastic or iron).

As a lazy old lady. I would go to homeadvisor.com and get a contractors estimate on having this done by a pro. You can pick their brain subtlety, but get a true educated Idea of what your time and back are worth. And maybe a good plumbers name.

Research always wins. Good luck.

First disconnect the water lines and drain pipes. If the tub is fiberglass or acrylic, cut it into small pieces with a reciprocating saw. Remove the tub in pieces. Obviously, you want to cut the pieces into small enough pieces so you can handle them since you are working alone. If the tub is cast iron you’ll need to break it apart. Cast iron is brittle, so it will break into maneagable pieces. You can break it apart with a hammer. The bigger the hammer, the better it breaks. NOTE: For safety purposes wear safety glasses, a long-sleeved shirt, and long, leather gloves for this part. You can substitute a sweatshirt for the shirt, which would be even better. Once the old tub is out you just reverse the process.

Much depends on whether the tub and shower are one piece, whether they are tile over backer board, or prefab pieces. In any case, you are going to destroy the walls behind whatever the surface is. The job betins with disconnecting the plumbing at the nearest cut off. (Hopefully not the whole house, but if so, then best to begin by putting a new cutoff just for the tub-shower supply. Next disconnect drainage and cap if necessary to keep the sink and toilet from backing up that way. Next you have a job for pry bars and probably nail pullers. Now you are ready to determine what needs to be done for the new units.

get the tub that fits over the older one