Removing the toilet Shut the water off and flush the toilet to get as much water out as you can. Then plunge it to drive the water out of the bowl.

Removing the toilet Use a sponge to get the remaining water out of the tank and bowl.

Removing the toilet Remove the screws holding the tank to the bowl

Removing the toilet The tank removed showing the 3 bolts. Some toilets attach the tank differently

Rock the bowl to break the seal and remove it from the flange. If the bowl is caulked to the floor use a razor knife and screwdriver to pry it up.

Removing the toilet Rock the bowl to break the seal and remove it from the flange. If the bowl is caulked to the floor use a razor knife and screwdriver to pry it up.

Removing the toilet Haul it away

Guest Bath Renovation Removed all the towel bars, shower curtain and supplies

Guest Bath Renovation Spread drop cloths

Removing the toilet Plug the drain so sewer gas doesn't get into the house

Removing the toilet Busted up the toilet with a sledge because it's fun

Removing the trim Score all the caulked areas with a razor knife so the top layer of drywall doesn't get ripped off along with the trim.

Removing the trim Remove all the trim. I use a stiff putty knife to start the removal because it slips into thin spots.

Removing the trim After I start with a putty knife I use a flat bar. Watch what you're prying against because you can dent the drywall. Using the flat bar. I'm not prying, I'm pulling.

Removing the trim Using the flat bar. I'm not prying, I'm pulling.

Removing the trim As you pull the trim away cut any caulk that is still holding the trim

Removing the trim Prying the baseboard off

Removing the sink and countertop Turn the water valves clockwise to shut off the water. Hot is on the left

Removing the sink and countertop Undo the water supply lines.

Removing the sink and countertop There will be water left in the lines. I keep a sponge or rag handy

Undoing the hot water line at the sink side. The line is original from over 30 years ago. They don't use copper anymore

Removing the sink and countertop Undoing the hot water line at the sink side. The line is original from over 30 years ago. They don't use copper anymore

Removing the sink and countertop I had to remove the drawers to get to the cold water line on the right

Removing the sink and countertop Cold water line

Removing the sink and countertop Remove the P trap drain

Removing the sink and countertop The trap will be full of water so put a bucket under it

I plugged the drain with a 1-1/2" plug to keep the sewer gas from smelling up the house. I also unscrewed and pulled out the sink drain rod

Removing the sink and countertop I plugged the drain with a 1-1/2" plug to keep the sewer gas from smelling up the house. I also unscrewed and pulled out the sink drain rod

Removing the sink and countertop The splash comes off just like the trim. It's usually held on with caulk

Removing the sink and countertop The backsplash won't come off because it's running into the sink

Nothing was holding the sink down. There is usually caulk and under sink clamps. This is a good quality cast iron Kohler sink. Too bad it's ugly

Removing the sink and countertop Nothing was holding the sink down. There is usually caulk and under sink clamps. This is a good quality cast iron Kohler sink. Too bad it's ugly

Removing the sink and countertop The backsplash pulls off now that the sink is gone

Tops are usually glued on in a few spots with construction adheasive like liquid Nails. I'm trashing the top so hitting it underneith with a hammer will break it free

Removing the sink and countertop Tops are usually glued on in a few spots with construction adheasive like liquid Nails. I'm trashing the top so hitting it underneith with a hammer will break it free

Removing the sink and countertop Most of the top is now broken off

Removing the sink and countertop The remains of the glue can be scraped and chiseled off if you're going to reuse the cabinet

Now it's time to figure out what's holding the cabinet to the wall. One problem is the hot water pipe that comes up through a hole in the cabint bottom. If I want to keep the bottom in tact I'll have to temporarily remove the shutoff valves and solder caps on the lines. If I tile under the new cabinet I'll have to do this anyway

Removing the cabinet Now it's time to figure out what's holding the cabinet to the wall. One problem is the hot water pipe that comes up through a hole in the cabint bottom. If I want to keep the bottom in tact I'll have to temporarily remove the shutoff valves and solder caps on the lines. If I tile under the new cabinet I'll have to do this anyway

Removing the cabinet The cabinet is screwed to the wall through the frame and into the studs

Removing the cabinet Something else is holding the cabinet to the wall. I'll figure it out tomorrow.

I scored the caulk along the back and right side and the back freed up but something else was holding the cabinet down in front

Removing the cabinet I scored the caulk along the back and right side and the back freed up but something else was holding the cabinet down in front

Removing the cabinet I pryed the wood facing off the kick and found a screw through the front right corner going into the floor.

Removing the cabinet Now the cabinet is free.

The cabinet is trapped in the plumbing. You can't lift it up because the drain is sticking through the back. You can't pull it forward because the hot and cold water pipes are coming up through the floor. The water lines should have come up into the wall and exited on either side of the waste line.

Removing the cabinet The cabinet is trapped in the plumbing. You can't lift it up because the drain is sticking through the back. You can't pull it forward because the hot and cold water pipes are coming up through the floor. The water lines should have come up into the wall and exited on either side of the waste line.

Removing the door Time to get the door out of the way

I picked up a 3" drain plug which works much better than a rag

Capping off the water supply lines Shut off the water in the house.

Capping off the water supply lines Open up a basement faucet and some faucets upstairs to allow the water to drain out of the system

Capping off the water supply lines Open up the shutoff valves to allow the water to drain down

Capping off the water supply lines Remove the shutoff valves

Capping off the water supply lines I use a tubing cutter to remove the top secton of pipe where the old compression fitting is

Capping off the water supply lines In order to get a leak free joint you must clean the copper pipe and fitting. Emory cloth works the best

Capping off the water supply lines Put a layer of soldering paste on the parts to be joined

I like using Mapp gas which is hotter than propane. Heat the cap and pipe until the solder melts at the joint. Capillary action will draw the molten solder up.

Capping off the water supply lines I like using Mapp gas which is hotter than propane. Heat the cap and pipe until the solder melts at the joint. Capillary action will draw the molten solder up.

I used a small tubing cutter in the inside of the cabinet because there wasn't any room to rotate the larger one. Of course you can always use a hacksaw.

Capping off the water supply lines I used a small tubing cutter in the inside of the cabinet because there wasn't any room to rotate the larger one. Of course you can always use a hacksaw.

I'm probably not going to use this cabinet so I left the pipes long. Otherwise I should have gone under the floor into the crawl space and cut the pipes off below the floor.

Capping off the water supply lines I'm probably not going to use this cabinet so I left the pipes long. Otherwise I should have gone under the floor into the crawl space and cut the pipes off below the floor.

Removing the cabinet I cut the back of the cabinet below the drain pipe.

Removing the cabinet Now I can lift the cabinet above the pipes and pull it out

Removing the cabinet The cabinet is finally out

I removed the drywall between 2 joists which are 16" on center. That way it will be easier to replace because I'll have both studs to fasten the board to. For now I just scored it with a knife and pulled it away because I want to see what's behind the wall.

Behind the wall I removed the drywall between 2 joists which are 16" on center. That way it will be easier to replace because I'll have both studs to fasten the board to. For now I just scored it with a knife and pulled it away because I want to see what's behind the wall.

Here's a good example why you always have to be careful when you cut into a wall. In this case there are 2 waste lines, a bundle of wire and a gas line which goes to the upstairs drier.

Behind the wall Here's a good example why you always have to be careful when you cut into a wall. In this case there are 2 waste lines, a bundle of wire and a gas line which goes to the upstairs drier.

Behind the wall There were a bunch of metal plates in the wall presumably to protect the gas and electric lines

Behind the wall Time to start removing the bathtub

Demo the bath tub Since this is a whirlpool tub I shut off the power at the breaker box

At this point I don't have to concern myself with the water supply since that's all in the wall. I just have to disconnect the drain and the overflow.

Demo the bath tub At this point I don't have to concern myself with the water supply since that's all in the wall. I just have to disconnect the drain and the overflow.

Demo the bath tub Instead of buying a tool to rotate the drain fitting you can stick your pliers handle in the drain and unscrew it.

Demo the bath tub The drain fitting screws in

Demo the bath tub Undo the 2 screws and the overflow drain cover and lever just come out.

Demo the bath tub The drain lever mechanism

Demo the bath tub The only thing holding the tub is caulk and tile grout. Start by scoring it all with a knife. The tile at the caulk line just popped off the wall.

Demo the bath tub The tile at the caulk line just popped off the wall. The tile at the caulk line just popped off the wall. In retrospect I should have busted the tile all along the top edge of the tub

Demo the bath tub The tile at the caulk line just popped off the wall. In retrospect I should have busted the tile all along the top edge of the tub

I removed the 2 hand holds in the tub. This is a cast iron whirlpool tub which probably weighs close to 400 lbs. Any weight I can get rid of will help.

Demo the bath tub I removed the 2 hand holds in the tub. This is a cast iron whirlpool tub which probably weighs close to 400 lbs. Any weight I can get rid of will help.

Demo the bath tub Time to see if cast iron really does break

Demo the bath tub I covered the working area with an old furniture pad to keep any porcelain or iron pieces from flying out and cutting me

Demo the bath tub The first place I'm going to hit is the weakest part which is the low part of the center because it's not supported

Demo the bath tub It's not as easy as I though it would be. You have to really hit it hard.

They don't make stuff like this anymore. All bronze and copper pipe. Now I see why the side wasn't so easy to break. It had all those copper lines behind it.

Demo the bath tub They don't make stuff like this anymore. All bronze and copper pipe. Now I see why the side wasn't so easy to break. It had all those copper lines behind it.

Demo the bath tub Cutting the copper pipes out with a Sawzall

Demo the bath tub Each of those cast pieces is heavy. The cast iron is about 1/4" thick

Demo the bath tub The broken pieces were so heavy I brought a wheelbarrow into the bedroom

Demo the bath tub Now I have one of those new walk in bathtubs

Demo the bath tub Exposed the whirpool pump

Demo the bath tub The tub is just sitting on the floor and is held in by the caulking alone the top edge and the drain

Demo the bath tub I see that it's a Kohler tub

Demo the bath tub Even though I shut the breaker off I like to make sure there's no power

Demo the bath tub Not much left. The only thing holding the tub in place is some drywall and caulk around the top edge

Demo the bath tub Not much left. The only thing holding the tub in place is some drywall and caulk around the top edge Whoops. I forgot to remove a clamp on the overflow drain

Demo the bath tub Whoops. I forgot to remove a clamp on the overflow drain

Demo the bath tub I busted some drywall out at the edge to free the remains of the tub

Demo the bath tub This piece still weighs around 100 lbs

Demo the bath tub Sledgehammer time again

Demo the bath tub 2 easy to handle pieces

Demo the bath tub The last of the tub

Demo the bath tub All cleaned up.

Removing the tile Peeling the tile off the floor took about 5 minutes. It left the floor all sticky so I put a piece of plywood down

Taking apart and cleaning out the bathtub drain assembly. I may have to get a new one because I don't know if I can get new gaskets

Removing the bath drain Taking apart and cleaning out the bathtub drain assembly. I may have to get a new one because I don't know if I can get new gaskets

Removing the bath drain Using a pipe wrench to unscrew the threaded PVC fitting on the P trap

Removing the bath drain The P trap and the bathtub drain assembly.

It's important to score the wall all the way around. If you don't pieces of drywall will come off beyond the tile creating more work to fix.

Demoing the bathtub wall It's important to score the wall all the way around. If you don't pieces of drywall will come off beyond the tile creating more work to fix.

Demoing the bathtub wall Pop off the plastic covers to expose the screws. Unscrew them and the handles come off The plumbing for the sink. I'm going to move the hot and cold water pipes into the wall

A trip to the crawlspace The plumbing for the sink. I'm going to move the hot and cold water pipes into the wall

A trip to the crawlspace The plumbing for the bath. The P trap fell off the pipe. Depending on the tub or shower I put in I may have to move it

Almost all the spouts are threaded or push on so you can unscrew them. This one was stubborn so I used a pipe wrench to break it loose. If you look in the spout you can see the shower diverter. All it does is block the spout

Demoing the bathtub wall Almost all the spouts are threaded or push on so you can unscrew them. This one was stubborn so I used a pipe wrench to break it loose. If you look in the spout you can see the shower diverter. All it does is block the spout With the spout off the threaded end of the pipe is exposed

Demoing the bathtub wall With the spout off the threaded end of the pipe is exposed

Demoing the bathtub wall I want to be really careful about busting the drywall beyond the tile so I pried it and broke it moving up a stud

I decided to cut the drywall rather than take a chance of breaking it out beyond the tile. Don't push the blade any deeper than you need. You never know if there are other pipes or wires in the wall

Demoing the bathtub wall I decided to cut the drywall rather than take a chance of breaking it out beyond the tile. Don't push the blade any deeper than you need. You never know if there are other pipes or wires in the wall

Demoing the bathtub wall I stepped into the hole by mistake and the P trap just fell off the drain pipe. It never was glued Sledge hammer time. I went vertical up the wall so I could pull the rest out by hand. Be very careful you don't go through both walls

Sledge hammer time. I went vertical up the wall so I could pull the rest out by hand. Be very careful you don't go through both walls

Demoing the bathtub wall Sledge hammer time. I went vertical up the wall so I could pull the rest out by hand. Be very careful you don't go through both walls

Demoing the bathtub wall Pull the nails out

Demoing the bathtub wall After removing the left wall to the corner I busted out the right side of the back

Demoing the bathtub wall I pulled the back wall from the bottom and the whole thing came loose

Demoing the bathtub wall A large section of the back wall

Demoing the bathtub wall It was too big to fit in the garbage so I did a little karate on it

Demoing the bathtub wall Prying the corner of the right wall out. I grabbed it on the bottom and the whole piece came out clean

Demoing the bathtub wall A nice big chunk of wall

Now I at the right edge so I'm cutting it so it doesn't break beyond the tile. Don't push the blade any deeper than you need. You never know if there are other pipes or wires in the wall

Demoing the bathtub wall Now I at the right edge so I'm cutting it so it doesn't break beyond the tile. Don't push the blade any deeper than you need. You never know if there are other pipes or wires in the wall

Demoing the bathtub wall Another clean edge All cleaned up. I still have to trim some of the drywall. Notice the plywood now covering the hole in the floor.

Demoing the bathtub wall All cleaned up. I still have to trim some of the drywall. Notice the plywood now covering the hole in the floor.