Secrets of dismantling a cast iron bath without which it is better not to start work

During a bathroom renovation, the question of updating old plumbing often arises.

The first candidate for replacement is always a bathtub, especially if it is a cast-iron model that has been there since Soviet times.

After all, the industry offers the consumer a wide selection of other, more modern materials: acrylic, quarry , wood and even marble . Products made from them are often more practical than Soviet cast iron. But, of course, it also has its advantages .

But the question arises: how to dismantle and remove such a colossus? As they say - “break, don’t build.” Let us consider in detail all the nuances of this labor-intensive process.

About dismantling methods

There are two ways to replace an old bathtub:

• With saving. The bathtub is carefully disconnected from the rest of the communications in the house and taken out. It can be used in the future. Judging by the reviews, this method is complex and time-consuming.
• No saving. In this case, you can either break the cast iron bathtub or saw it using an angle grinder. The bath pieces are then taken out. Due to the fact that the product now weighs much less, one person can handle this work. According to experienced craftsmen, if it is necessary to dismantle the bathtub, they mainly resort to this method. The disadvantage of this method is that the procedure is accompanied by a very large roar.

Pipe cutter

This is a special device for cutting pipes from different materials. There are manual (mechanical) and electric tools. Both types are suitable for diameters 15-360 mm.

First, a carbide disk is mounted on the device. The removable element has a number of advantages over classic abrasive ones. For example, the cutting speed is increased by 4 times, there is no sparking and no need to add any substances to the cutting zone. Diamond coating is applied on top of the cutting edge, which extends the service life of the products. Examples of pipe cutters for cast iron pipes are portable Exact Pipecut products for diameters less than 360 mm.

Alas, it is rare that a home pipeline can be easily cut with a pipe cutter. It may be difficult for a tool to access it, or the cutting area may be bent so that it cannot be grasped by the device. Therefore, it is worth considering other options.

What is special about the method?

Based on reviews, we can conclude that the procedure for breaking a bathtub using a sledgehammer is the most proven dismantling method in practice. However, it requires considerable physical effort. Not everyone can afford to destroy a bathtub into several parts. The work must be performed by a physically trained person. In addition, the procedure itself should be performed during the day. Otherwise, a scandal with neighbors is inevitable.

Breaking down a cast iron bathtub for removal in parts

If you need to dismantle an old bathtub and install a new one, then the easiest and fastest way to get rid of outdated plumbing fixtures is to simply break them apart with a sledgehammer. Cast iron is a strong metal, but it cannot withstand a series of strong blows from a heavy hammer and will definitely crack. After this, it will not be difficult for even one person to remove small pieces from the apartment.

The only significant drawback of this method is the extreme noise produced during the breaking process. To reduce the need for knocking, you can use a grinder. The procedure will be as follows:

1. As in the previous case, disconnect the plumbing from the communications, cut or otherwise dismantle the drain pipe.
2. Free the bathtub from cement mortar around the perimeter. If there is a decorative screen, then it is broken with a chisel and hammer.
3. Move the bowl a little away from the edge of the wall. Using a grinder, make cuts on the curved edges in the middle on both sides. It is these edges that give the bowl the necessary rigidity, so you need to saw them completely.

Next, all that remains is to hit the bottom with a sledgehammer a couple of times, after which the bathtub will “fold” exactly in the middle. The only thing that should not be forgotten throughout the entire demolition of sanitary equipment is eye protection. Use special masks or goggles, otherwise chipped pieces of enamel or shavings can cause injury.

Video: How to break a cast iron bathtub

The work of dismantling communications, demolishing and removing an old bathtub is not extremely difficult, although its labor intensity for one person is quite significant. The greatest difficulty is caused by dismantling a cast iron drain, the stuck nut of which is almost impossible to unscrew without the help of, for example, a hammer drill. Breaking will also require significant physical effort, so it is better to do the work with an assistant or immediately seek help from a specialist.

Video: Complete elimination of plumbing systems using an angle grinder

Before you carry out renovations in the bathroom, you need to prepare the room. Dismantling a cast iron bathtub is the main issue that needs to be resolved. However, this process is quite labor-intensive, so removing a plumbing product involves performing several stages of work. In addition, removal of a cast iron bathtub is also a pressing problem in the process of renovating a bathroom.

Renovating a bathroom is not an easy task, because before you get a beautiful and updated bathroom, you have to work hard. First you need to answer the question of how to remove and where to put the old cast iron bathtub.

Tools

Since the bathtub will first need to be disconnected from the pipes, the master will need to acquire the following:

• Adjustable and regular wrenches.
• Screwdrivers.
• With pliers.
• A hacksaw and a grinder.
• With a crowbar.
• With a sledgehammer.

Due to the fact that rough physical work will be carried out, the master should worry about protective equipment. It is necessary to prepare special gloves and safety glasses.

Preparing a bathroom for renovation

It is necessary to fulfill the basic conditions for preparing the room for the upcoming renovation:

• removal of all bath accessories;
• disconnection of communications;
• removal of furniture;
• dismantling the old cast iron bathtub and washbasin;
• clearing the room of debris and objects that may interfere with the work of specialists.

Dismantling of outdated plumbing fixtures

How to break a cast iron bathtub quickly and without wasting time? This question worries everyone who has ever thought about a major bathroom renovation. Old cast iron bathtubs can be removed in several ways. The first of which is free removal and removal of old cast iron bathtubs.

Advice: There are a considerable number of special services that are ready to dismantle and remove a cast-iron bathtub in a matter of hours. Moreover, they are ready to provide such a service absolutely free of charge, but on the condition that they take the old plumbing equipment with them. This is not surprising, because today the use of cast iron bathtubs for scrap metal is in great demand. Therefore, you can safely use the services of such organizations, for which you will not have to pay a penny.

However, not every locality has such initiative groups that are ready to not only dismantle, but also remove a heavy cast-iron bathtub.

And yet you shouldn’t despair, because there are still many ways that allow you to dismantle and remove an old cast-iron bathtub. For example, you can use the paid services of craftsmen who perform all the work on removing plumbing fixtures, and from any material. As a rule, such enterprises have their own standard prices for services. And after your consent to dismantle the equipment, the repair team will arrive at the appointed time and remove the plumbing; in addition, they will be able to remove the cast-iron bathtub, but also for a certain monetary reward.

But if you are going to make repairs in your bathroom without involving specialists, you will need to dismantle the cast-iron bathtub yourself. In reality, this process is not as complicated as it seems at first glance.

Do-it-yourself plumbing removal

This procedure will not cause complications if the old cast-iron bathtub was placed on supports, without any fasteners, decorative screen or brickwork, and, of course, if the dimensions of the doorway allow the plumbing to be removed without preliminary sawing or breaking.

Tip: After dismantling, you can hand over the old cast-iron bathtub to scrap metal collection points, or simply leave it near the trash cans. Believe me, the next morning there will definitely be no plumbing.

But if the product is installed in a steel frame or lined with brickwork, the dismantling process becomes somewhat more complicated. In this case you will have to:

1. Turn off the water and disconnect the bathtub drain from the sewer system;
2. Then you need to remove the mixer and all water distributors, because they will interfere with the process of removing the plumbing;
3. When the process is not hampered by these nuances, you will need to arm yourself with a chisel and sledgehammer. Using these tools, you will need to remove the tiles and baseboards that cover the joints of the bathtub with the walls;
4. The next stage involves the direct dismantling of the plumbing. Using the lever, remove the obsolete equipment. If the equipment does not yield to “provocation”, the entire structure will have to be completely cut using an angle grinder with a metal attachment. If the frame is made of brick or blocks, use a sledgehammer;
5. When you are finally done with the frame, you will need to remove all construction debris from the premises. Then only the old plumbing itself should remain in the room. If you understand that due to its large size it will not be possible to remove the entire product from the bathroom, you will have to break the plumbing equipment into several parts.

How to properly destroy a cast iron bathtub

How to split a cast iron bathtub? Many videos answer the question of how to break a cast iron bathtub, so you shouldn’t have any difficulties.

Important! Please note that this procedure will be accompanied by serious noise, so you should not start repairs overnight.

1. First you need to put the old equipment on its side so that it has easy access from both sides. Since pieces of cast iron will fly off the product during the process and can injure your face and hands, be sure to wear safety glasses, a hat, and thick gloves. It is advisable that there are no fans in the premises either.
2. The most vulnerable spot in any bathtub is the part of the bottom next to the drain hole. It is on him that it is necessary to strike hard blows with a sledgehammer. When striking from the outside of the plumbing, cover the hole with a rag to prevent shards of cast iron from hitting you. These manipulations should be performed until a large crack appears along the entire bottom.
3. Then the bathtub needs to be turned upside down and the blows should be directed at the walls of the plumbing. After cutting the equipment into pieces, invite your fans to help remove the remains of the bathtub from the room.

Getting rid of an unnecessary bath

So, where can you sell your cast iron bathtub? Cast iron products are, of course, durable, but not eternal. Therefore, sooner or later everyone asks the question: where to sell an old cast-iron bathtub? Dismantling plumbing equipment is a very difficult process, but not final, because it becomes necessary to remove the old cast-iron bathtub.

But the good news is that recycling an old cast-iron bathtub can bring not only trouble, but also a certain monetary reward. Because cast iron scrap is accepted in almost all cities. If you have your own transport and during the dismantling process you had to break the plumbing into pieces, you can organize self-pickup of cast-iron bathtubs, having previously decided on a place for scrap metal collection.

But if you do not have your own transport and handing over an old bathtub weighing 150 kg is problematic for you, you can easily negotiate with special teams who will remove the equipment themselves; they certainly know where to put the cast-iron bathtub.

You just need to find advertisements in your area of ​​residence and contact an organization where you can rent out a cast-iron bathtub.

Where should I start?

Before breaking a cast iron bathtub, it must first be disconnected from all communications. The first step is to disconnect the overflow. According to experts, cast iron pipes were installed in many old houses. Therefore, after many years, they become very rusty, covered with scale, and the master may have difficulties dismantling cast-iron plumbing fixtures. The situation is better if communications are represented by metal-plastic components. In this case, they simply unscrew. The master only needs to prepare the pliers. There are often cases when the overflow grate gets very stuck.

Before breaking a cast iron bathtub, you need to dismantle this element. Many craftsmen clamp it with pliers and turn it counterclockwise. If it is not possible to dismantle the overflow in this way, it is cut off with a grinder. Judging by the reviews, fasteners often have heavily rusted threads, which can only be dealt with after cutting them. First, several cuts are made on the grate, and then the overflow is knocked off with a chisel. Then the crosspiece under the grille is knocked out. As a result, the siphon should hang freely, connected to the rest of the sewer line. To remove it, the master needs to get rid of the coupling. Some beginners wonder if it is possible to break a cast iron bathtub with a sledgehammer. According to experts, this is quite possible to do. You just need to adhere to a clear sequence of actions.

How to dismantle it correctly with your own hands?

Below, we have provided detailed instructions for carrying out the work with all the nuances.

Remove the old siphon

The first step is to disconnect the siphon. As a rule, in old houses these siphons are made of cast iron, and under the influence of moisture and time, all connections sinter and corrode, so it is unlikely to be possible without special compounds that corrode rust. You can use, for example, WD-40 - popularly known as "Vedashka". You need to spray the connections and leave them in this state for 1 hour.

Then, using a wrench, you need to unscrew the nut, thereby disconnecting the siphon.

The diameter of the nut is most often very large, so for this work you will need a gas wrench.

If the nut does not give in and the “century-old layer” of rust is not corroded by any means, all that remains is to cut off part of the pipe with a grinder. Or not? There is one interesting life hack :

• insert the chisel into the hammer drill chuck (this is a special blade-shaped attachment);
• switch it to the “impact without drilling” mode;
• Press the chisel against the end of the nut and press the start button.

Most likely the nut will give way. Do this procedure several times until you can unscrew it with a key or by hand.

Release the sides

Often tiles in the USSR were laid from the side of the bathroom, or even a corner was made from it along the entire perimeter of the wall. In this case, pulling out the bathtub is simply not possible; first you need to knock off the tiles from the sides. For this, an already familiar hammer drill with a chisel is suitable, in impact mode without drilling.

Just go over the edges one by one. If you don’t have a hammer drill, it doesn’t matter. A hammer and chisel can also handle this, but the work will take much longer.

If it is built into the wall of a room?

It also happens that the font is built into the wall, for example, as in the photo. In this case, you will need to remove the legs from the side of this wall. If you can’t unscrew them with a key, or they are firmly embedded in the floor, you can cut them off with a grinder.

Then place wooden boards or a sheet of plywood so as not to split the floor. All that remains is to press hard on the side of the bathtub; you may need the help of a second person, and it will fall down, falling onto the boards. If you can’t push through, you can try using a hammer drill to knock down the part of the wall on which the font rests.

All that remains is to turn it on its side and take it out.

Is it worth cutting off the legs?

Sometimes the legs are dull and deeply embedded in the floor. In such cases, all that remains is to cut them off with a grinder . Take a metal disc and carefully file the back legs first, and then the front ones. This is important because if the order is different, there is a chance that the font will fall on you.

It is better to file the legs at the base (floor). In this case, you will have additional handles that are convenient for transportation. Of course, you should first check whether they are firmly attached to the font.

Progress

Once the most vulnerable point in the product has been found, the following steps must be performed:

• The first step is to move the bathtub a little away from the wall. To complete this task, you will need a chisel and a hammer, with the help of which the plumbing product is removed from the cement mortar around the perimeter. The optimal distance of the bathtub to the wall will be from 100 to 150 mm.
• Using an angle grinder equipped with cutting wheels, make several cuts on the bathtub. The master’s task is to deprive the product of its strength. The cutting areas on the bathtub should be its curved edges on both sides. They are used as stiffeners. If the work is done correctly, then strong blows to the bottom of the cast iron product will cause it to collapse.
• Break through the drain hole. There is no need to turn the bath over at this stage. The master only applies very strong blows with a sledgehammer to the drain from the inside of the bathtub. Judging by the reviews, after these steps the bath is divided into two separate halves. If this does not happen, then you will have to deal with its sides.
• Turn the bathtub on its side and cover it with old rags. Burlap also works well. The blows are applied to the outer part of the cast iron product. As a result, the previously broken drain hole in the bathroom should become even wider. After several blows in the bathtub, a long strip forms along its entire bottom.

Best answers

Petrovich:

I cut. Without water and the very top layer - more carefully and slowly. It turned out quite normal.

telemaster51:

Cut Shura, cut!

Just a very good person:

If you cut, do it only with a file to keep the enamel intact.

Natasha.:

Don’t cut it quickly for a very long time. Why cut it?

Heinrich Mont:

The enamel, of course, will bounce off. Are there really no other options besides cutting the bathtub? Cut a niche in the wall, for example...

Robert Wataman:

No one will give guarantees, since the enamel was applied at the “factory”... but if you cut it, then only with water! or the enamel will definitely bounce off. But I suggest, if there is such an opportunity, of course, gnaw out (but not with your teeth) these 2-3 cm in the plaster of the wall. If it is not possible to comment, I will tell you the answer...

Vitalban1:

It’s been a long time since we did some quick work, they stuffed a bathtub - 170, where there was a 150 - and nothing, the edges went into the wall

Guy from the Future...:

Regarding the water... Have you ever tried to cut a pipe with a grinder that still had water in it?... If not, then don’t try... Everything within the radius of the walls of the room will be covered in dirty splashes... :)) And in the worst case, an electric shock can be fucked up, you're fucked up.... well, in short, hit and not weakly... Just imagine the water at 6000 rpm!!! !Yes, and a wet cutting disc cuts worse...

And about the enamel... If it is of high quality, it will not bounce... it will simply burn and melt at the cut site... Such things are sawed with metal blades... naturally with a power tool...

Dmitry Zaika:

1. Use a diamond blade to cut through the enamel. 2. Use a stainless steel cutting disc to cut only slowly so as not to overheat. 3. Treat the cut areas with primer-enamel.

Some advice from experts

For those who do not know how to break a cast iron bathtub, professionals recommend following safety precautions. Mostly this work is performed by two people. Since the procedure involves a grinder and a sledgehammer, you can protect yourself from injuries if all actions are coordinated.

Due to the fact that particles of broken cast iron can get into the face from strong blows of a sledgehammer, the plumbing product should first be covered with burlap. This will also protect the bathroom itself. The speed of dismantling and safety directly depend on the proper organization of work.

Gas cutting

There are two methods of gas cutting of cast iron:

• oxygen gas;
• oxygen-lance.

In the first case, the workpiece is exposed to a thin jet of flame supplied under high pressure. The combustion product is usually a mixture of oxygen with kerosene or diesel fuel. By the way, it is an effective method for eliminating man-made accidents.

The second method resembles the oxygen gas method, only the cutting element is a thin tube made of hardened steel. Its tip is heated to almost 1500 degrees (welding/soldering iron/lamp), then oxygen is supplied through it, ignited at the outlet and heated to 2000 degrees. The resulting burning mixture easily copes with thick cast iron.

Both methods are good, but there are disadvantages - it is important to have experience working with gas equipment. Responsible and precise cutting is performed only by a professional. The second drawback is the release of gas that is harmful to health during operation of the cutter.

The method is suitable for working outdoors or in the garage. For example, the need to remove a cast iron lock from a swing gate. The cutter works quietly, you won't disturb anyone.

Technological process

First you need to disconnect the old bathtub from the fastening elements with which the bathtub was attached and dismantle the drain. If the drain cannot be disconnected, it is cut with a grinder. You should also remove all objects that may interfere with dismantling the bathtub (both under and above the bathtub) and remove the faucet. To dismantle a bathtub, the edge of which is embedded in the wall, you need to dismantle the legs of the bathtub (starting with the farthest ones) and, after that, pressing on it from above, “drop” it onto the floor. Before dismantling an old cast-iron bathtub in this way, you need to place a thick layer of some soft material under it to soften the impact of the bathtub on the floor.

Breaking a cast iron bathtub will not be easy. This job requires a strong man and a sledgehammer. Before you begin demolition, you need to clear the space around the bathtub, lay a soft cloth on the floor (to protect the floor), and lay the bathtub itself on its side so that it can be easily accessed from both sides. Breaking a cast iron bathtub is quite a dangerous job: there is a high risk of injury from flying bathtub fragments. To protect yourself from these fragments, you should wear thick clothing, shoes, a hat, construction gloves and a protective mask. To protect your ears from fairly loud noise, you can wear sound-isolating headphones.

To minimize the risk of injury from bathtub fragments, remove household members from the premises

How to break a cast iron bathtub without using extra effort? The weakest point of the bathtub is near the drain hole. To break it, you should apply a series of blows from the inside to the bottom near the drain hole.

Lay the bathtub on its side, this will make it easier to break.

Once the bottom has been broken, the bathtub should be covered with burlap and struck with a sledgehammer, widening the gap along the entire bottom. Do not forget that the bathtub should lie on its side during the entire process of breaking through the bottom, because the vibrations of the bathroom, which, when the bottom is broken, lies upside down, can contribute to the fall of the plaster in the apartment located below you. All blows must be struck from the side.

Once you have managed to break the bottom, turn the bathtub upside down and continue to strike the walls from the side, trying to break it into pieces. If necessary, large pieces can be broken into smaller pieces: the smaller the fragments, the easier it is to remove them from the apartment. At the end of the work, collect the fragments in bags: they can be taken to a scrap metal collection point.

A cast iron bathtub, according to professionals who do professional renovation work, is the most durable accessory. However, there comes a time when it needs to be replaced. Many owners of old bathtubs try to delay this moment as long as possible by covering the product with new layers of enamel. Some take a radical approach to solving this issue. This category prefers to completely remove the old bathtub from the house rather than install a new one in its place. It can be dismantled with or without preservation. Having tried to remove this accessory intact, beginners encounter difficulties and wonder whether it is possible to break a cast-iron bathtub. Or will I have to take it out whole? In this case, you will have to hire a team or call someone for help.

How to break a cast iron bathtub in the bathroom? This question becomes very relevant for those who have decided not to use the old accessory anywhere else. Coping with this task will not be difficult. You will find information on how to quickly break a cast iron bathtub in this article.

Angle grinder

Working with an angle grinder is quick and convenient, but not without its drawbacks.
For example, it only cuts in a straight line. An attempt to make a curved cut will result in the disc being “bitten”, breaking, and possible injury to the user. Therefore, the machine is used for straight cutting. Another disadvantage is the fire hazard of the method (abrasive disc + metal = sparking). Before work, you will have to wear goggles, protection for your face and hands. Cutting with a circle is more efficient than with a jigsaw, which is why users often choose a noisy grinder. When buying a cutting wheel, prefer products with a bakelite bond, because they are much stronger than their ceramic counterparts.

Is it worth restoring old equipment?

The most obvious solution is to replace the plumbing. Let's try to understand what such an event will lead to. To the cost of the simplest bath we add the cost of its transportation, if necessary lifting the device to the floor. In addition, a certain amount will be required to pay for the dismantling of old equipment and installation of new equipment. At the lowest prices, all this will require about 12,000 rubles. This is only if the walls and floors are not damaged during installation. Otherwise, you will also have to pay for a partial bathroom renovation.

Dismantling the old and installing a new bath. A troublesome and expensive task. If the hardware's enamel wears away or wears off and the device is still in good condition, it may be worth considering restoration.

Thus, for a fairly large amount we get a modest result, because the cost of the cheapest bathhouse is included in the calculation. If you want a more comfortable or better design, you will have to increase the estimated cost of the product. Not everyone can afford this expense, so they want to restore a cast iron bathtub. This is a cheaper and more effective solution.

However, it is very important to choose the right restoration method. There are only three of them:

• Acrylic bath cover;
• Applying a new layer of enamel to the surface of the device;
• Installation of acrylic liner.

Let's look at each method in more detail.

A method for replacing a cast iron product in which the container remains intact

When starting work on removing the tank, first of all, the plumbing fixture should be pulled forward. The most convenient way to do this is with a lever, which is advisable to use a crowbar or pry bar. Provided that two people are involved in the work, it would be best to move the bathtub away from the wall by about half a meter, that is, so far that one of them could easily fit there.

You need to take the bathtub out of the room on its side

Then you should lay the container on its side. To do this, it is necessary for one of the workers to be between the wall and the side of the product. Now the product needs to be taken out of the bathroom. Here it is appropriate to use the bathtub supports as handrails. By holding them, you can conveniently transport the cast iron container.

At the current stage, you should adhere to some rules. If you neglect these recommendations, you will not be able to remove the plumbing fixture. You need to move the product into the doorway on the edge and, taking into account the rotation, first remove the front legs. Next, gradually turning the container, take it outside the bathroom so that you can install the second pair of brackets.

Now all that remains is to remove the product from the home. Since the size of the front door leaf is usually at least 800 mm, this will not pose any particular difficulties. It's up to you to decide what to do with the old tank. Maybe you decide to take it to a country house, where the container can be used in at least a dozen different ways, allowing the old plumbing fixture to perform a useful function. In particular, an old cast-iron bathtub can serve as the basis for a decorative pond.