How to Demo a Bathtub Surround

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  Hi everyone, our specialty is Demolition of things inside of a Home, so we will be talking about many items that need to be Carefully Demolished around a home.
  
  
  Today we will start with a Bathtub Surround, we always want to change what we have, if we have a shower we want a tub, and if we have a tub we would love to have a shower.  So today we will get rid of the tub.
  
  
  Updating your bathroom adds value to your home as well as being aesthetically pleasing for you. 
  
  
  You can save money by doing it yourself, however this is delicate as it involves some pluming details. Dismantling the existing tub surround, while not difficult, does take some delicate planning. Prepare to have your bathtub and shower out of service for a few days while you are working on this area. Look at all existing features on the tub surround to determine how they were affixed to the wall and what type of tool will be needed to remove them. This process can be a bit messy and stir up a lot of dust, so make sure you have proper ventilation for the job, either by opening a window, having access to a fan or simply leaving the door open and allowing enough air flow.  As well as securing the rest of the house from the dust you may be generating from the job.
  
  
  MATERIALS NEEDED:
  Screwdriver (either Phillips head and/or flat head)

  Claw hammer

  Protective mask

  Drywall saw

  Pry bar

  Utility knife or snips

  Visqueen / Poly-film to protect the house

  
  

  INSTRUCTIONS:

  Remove all faucets, fixtures, and hardware on the existing tub surround, including soap dishes, towel racks, shower heads and everything you do or do not want destroyed. These fixtures are normally attached with either nails or screws. Carefully remove the items with the appropriate tool and set the fixtures aside if you intend to reuse them with the new bathtub surround, dispose if you don't. Remove any casing around windows.

  
  

  Carefully cut through the dry wall about 2 inches above the top of the existing tub surround using a drywall saw. A sawzall can make this process go more quickly, but do not use one if you are working with lathe and plaster walls. The vibrations from the saw can cause damage. When you reach a stud, tilt the tip of the saw blade up so that you will not cut through the stud. You can also remove the saw and move it over about 2 inches further and continue to saw through the wall board. You can go back after finishing with the wallboard saw and cut out these sections by hand.

  
  

  Be aware to pull out any screws or nails used to connect the tub surround to the wall studs.

  
  

  Carefully pull the surround away from the wall.

  
  

  Use a utility knife or snips to cut the bathtub casing. This divides the surround into smaller sections and should make it easier to remove. Pull the sections of the surround away from the wall for disposal.

  
  

  Dispose of the pieces. This is considered construction waste, and it will have to be disposed of properly, not just thrown in with your regular trash pickup.

  
  

  If you need assistance or would like someone to do this job for you, do not hesitate to call us.