Cast Iron Tub Removal?

dkillianjr

How do you guys get cast iron tubs out? How do you cut them? I run into quite a few of them. I've tried a bunch of different ways. Sawzall, forget the teeth, grinder I am always afraid of the sparks setting a fire. So I usually sledge hammer them in half and carry half out at a time. I thought about keeping them whole, but it seems difficult to manuver, esspecially if I am by myself.


Dave

A W Smith

sledgehammer.

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Al Smith
http://www.awsmith.com

Celtic

drop cloth and a sledge.

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ChrWright

Sledge

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Christopher Wright, CR: President @ WrightWorks, LLC/President @ Central Indiana NARI, Named to the 2010 REMODELING Big50
www.WrightWorks.net - Facebook - Twitter - Carmel Remodeling
Indianapolis Kitchen Remodeling Contractor - You Can Get There From Here

KillerToiletSpider

I cut the waste connection and the guys we use for demo work haul it away, they scrap the iron and the brass.

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A flush is better than a full house.

threaderman

Wish I had a brilliant answer but the sledge hammer works well for me.

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Joe ---International Code Council Member

Your plumbing & gas specialist proudly serving Oklahoma City OK, Moore, Warr-acres, Norman, Midwest City, Edmond, Bethany, Forest Park

rbsremodeling

I Save them, refinish them and resell them for 1500 - 2500 they are really popular here

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KillerToiletSpider

If it is a two sided tub, or a clawfoot we save it, and pay an electro-glazer to strip and refinish it.

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A flush is better than a full house.

MacRoadie

My old man was a plumbing contractor and my summers were spent either running a trencher all day or busting out tubs with a sledge.

Mover's blankets, sledge hammer, a long sleeved hoodie, gloves and goggles are the tools of the trade. Be careful though, the enamel is razor-sharp and flys like bullets.

The problem with reusing them is that they don't fit back out through the doorway so removing a jamb, casing and trimmer just to salvage the tub isn't always practical.

rbsremodeling

It is if you get 1500-2500 for it

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neolitic

Reglazed, or razed (i.e. 12lb hammer).

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Put your location in your profile!
(Sorry....it seems there really are dumb questions)

MacRoadie

Yeah, as long as the HO doesn't mind the otherwise pointless removal and reframing/hanging of their door. Maybe for a cut of the action?

rbsremodeling

They wouldn't know

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send_it_all

you know if you turn it on it's side it will fit through the door, right????...A tub is only 14" deep....By the way, the only tub someone in so cal would pay 2500 for is a clawfoot or a nice whirlpool. I can go to Plumber's warehouse and buy a new Kohler cast iron skirt tub for under $350.

ChrWright

Wow, someone here doesn't know how a search engine works...

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Christopher Wright, CR: President @ WrightWorks, LLC/President @ Central Indiana NARI, Named to the 2010 REMODELING Big50
www.WrightWorks.net - Facebook - Twitter - Carmel Remodeling
Indianapolis Kitchen Remodeling Contractor - You Can Get There From Here

skylands

We had a customer who wanted to remove the claw foot tub himself. He said his brother wanted it and they would take care of removing it. No arguments from me.

A few days later when he called to say the job was ready, he said there would be some siding and sheetrock repairs to add to my work. He and his brother tried to slide the tub down the carpeted steps upside down. The rope broke.

user15686

Here's the secret.

Step
1 - Remove drain and overflow

2 - Sledge around perimeter of valley inside tub. You will be able to break completely thru with minimal effort.

3 - Whack and crack corners of tub walls. (Inside tub)

4 - Next whack and crack all 4 corners by hitting down on top rails at the corners.

5 - This will give you 5 manageable pieces one man can easily manage. The piece with skirt and front interior wall of the tub is hard for some to carry. If necessary break in half by whacking center of skirt, then center interior tub wall, and finally one good crack center top rail.

You will wind up with 5 -6 nice chunks of iron, 10 - 15 lbs. of chunks and bits, 1/2 dustpan full of really sharp shards of porcelain.

This is a 30 -60 minute job. All moaning, groaning, and catching your wind breaks included.

kevjob

yup sled o matic! doing one tomorrow and luckliy I get to bust it up and NOT carry the pieces to the dumpster!

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Kevin
Basement Finishing Highlands Ranch Colorado
Littleton Colorado, Basement Remodeling
Kitchen Remodeling Denver

dkillianjr

Thanks guys for the replies, Didn't know if there was some new high tech way or something. Yup I have always used a sledge as well and I guess always will


Yup, I searched didn't really find anything on the topic, but thanks for the tip


Dave

A W Smith

Well theres always the possibility of using a plasma cutter.

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Al Smith
http://www.awsmith.com