Let’s Rip Out the Tub!

Master Bath Remodel Part 1 – Demo

Do you currently have a fiberglass tub surround but dream of a walk-in shower? If so, read on to see how I (with some help from our Contractors) removed the tub surround and converted it into a splendid walk-in shower!

Our home has two bathrooms and each came with a tub surround. The only update I had done to the bathrooms other than paint was adding tile to the wall above each tub surround. I decided to add tile because the paint above the ‘Master tub’ (I put that in quotes because it isn’t technically a Master Bath but a stand alone one that is shared with the upstairs living area) was peeling from getting wet during long, hot showering. So, it was really less of a ‘decision’ than a ‘I have to do something about this issue’ situation.

Well, a few of years ago, a friend and I were discussing the benefits of having a walk-in shower now that we are getting a teensy, iddy, biddy bit older. Our conversation made me think about how treacherous it can be getting into and out of our tub/shower since the base of the tub is sloped and we also have the shower curtain to contend with. I mulled over the idea of removing the current tub and building a walk-in shower, wondering how much work it would entail and if my Contractors would be on board to help me with the project considering I wanted to do some of it myself.

Now that the idea of updating our bathroom had been sparked within me (thanks, Carol) I started browsing through Pinterest ideas. Lo and behold! I found the perfect look! See picture below of this beautiful bathroom! It is from Elan Interiors, now Teaselwood Design. Isn’t it awesomely gorgeous?!

Below is the inspiration!

I now had my plan! All it would take was:

• Remove the tub surround
• Demo the tile above the tub
• Remove the greenboard/hardibacker
• Have a wall built between the toilet & new shower
• Add new greeenboard/hardibacker
• Update the plumbing from tub to shower fixtures
• Tile from floor to ceiling
• Install a window
• Replace the trim in the bathroom
• Add a section of tile to the bathroom floor

Sounds simple enough, right?!

Since this renovation took a few weeks, I’ll break down the process into several posts: 1)Demo 2)Rebuild 3) Tile 4) Flooring 5) Finishing Details

The decision to tackle this project was made! It was time to contact our Contractors, John & James (J&J). I asked them to come over to view the current bathroom layout and review my ideas to make sure they were both possible and doable. Since my plan included building a wall between the toilet and the new shower pan, I would need their expertise to ensure there was room while also keeping it within Code & if so, get a quote for them to build it. I also wanted them to install the window, new greenboard, create two niches for shampoo & other body-washing necessities and update the plumbing to accommodate the shower.

My plan was to do the demo (which surprised them). However, since I wasn’t actually positive that I could rip out the tub, remove the 6″ buffer wall at the end of the existing tub and demo the tile above the tub, I did ask them to provide their quote both with and without demo.

The pictures below are the before shots of our bathroom. You can see the built-out buffer wall at the end of the tub. I figure it was created so the tub would be wall to wall. I wanted to remove that 6″ buffer wall to maximize the space for the new shower.

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Once J&J confirmed that there was room to build a wall within Code and they could install a window, it was ON ! They provided their quote both with and without demo.

Demo

With confirmation in hand, I started researching fiberglass tub removal on You Tube. During my researching time, I took a trip to Cali to visit family. I had watched enough You Tube videos featuring a Sawzall in the demo process to decide that I would at least attempt the tub demo. I asked my brother-in-law if he thought I’d be able to use a Sawzall/reciprocating saw on this project. He said of course I could but to be prepared for the saw to jump around while I was using it. He picked up his sawzall to demonstrate what he was talking about. Oh!!! Um, gulp, ok, great, thanks…..

When I got home from that trip, it was time to start this project. I removed the shower curtain and fixtures from the tub, grabbed my step stool then took a hammer and crow bar to the tile above the tub. I have to admit, it was way, way more difficult to remove the tile than I had expected. I think I assumed it would just fall off with a little tap since I was the one who had installed it. No such luck!

I really got my workout while doing the demo on that tile! If you have any anger to get rid of, removing tile is a great way to release that energy! Once the tile was off and I had cleaned up that mess, I removed the backerboard. That part was easier since all I had to do was remove the screws and take the pieces down. A more efficient way to accomplish tile removal would be to use a saw — at the time of this project, I didn’t do the research to learn that process. That would have saved a lot of time!

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Now that the tile and backerboard where removed, I could kinda see behind the tub surround which gave me an idea of what might or might not be there like plumbing or electrical cords. After several Hail Marys (even though I’m not Catholic) and many prayers to The Powers That Be, it was time to muster up the courage to use the Sawzall….. sooooo, I grabbed my reciprocating saw and nervously got to work.

I was pretty positive there wouldn’t be any electrical wires on the wall at the foot of the tub since it was a buffer wall that was built out from the main bathroom wall, so I started at the corner of that wall and the exterior wall. I was a bit leary anyway but said a few more prayers and held the saw fairly perpendicular to the tub surround before squeezing the On button. My brother-in-law was correct, it jumped around quite a bit while cutting through the fiberglass but I’m sure some of that was due to my arms shaking like crazy with nerves. I was pleased that it cut the fiberglass like a hot knife through butter! Bonus!

I sliced the tub surround in sections, taking each piece out to the back deck as it was freed from the main structure. When the entire tub was demo’d and removed from the bathroom, it was time to clean up the mess again. Since I was working with fiberglass, I wore gloves, glasses to protect my eyes & a dust mask.

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With the tub removed, it was time to take off the crown moulding so the drywall on the buffer wall could be removed. The moulding came of easy and quick. I figured the drywall would come off in one piece, nice & easy, right?! Nope! It came off in little iddy, biddy, pieces even though I was using a hammer and crowbar. Super messy too!

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Whew! That was a lot of work. Was it worth the $500 I saved by doing it myself? Yes! I loved the feeling of accomplishment (once it was finished). John & James both commented on what a great job I did – SO nice to hear!

Time for a pat on the back and some rest and relaxation!

Supplies Used

• Hammer
• Crowbar
• Chisel
• Screwdriver
• Step stool & 6′ ladder
• Shop Vac
• Broom & Dustpan
• Determination and sweat!

The next step is out of my hands since it’s time for J&J to come in and work their magic. What to expect next:

Below are links to the next steps in this project

• Master Bath Remodel Part 2 – Rebuild
• Master Bath Remodel Part 3 – Tile
  
• Master Bath Remodel Part 4 – Tile the Floor
• Master Bath Remodel Part 5 – Finishing Touches

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