Cast Iron Bathtub Removal

Faucet Removal

• Though the faucet is set into the wall above the bathtub, the faucet must be removed before you try to remove the bathtub from its location. Lift the tub up and the faucet can block the way, making removal of the tub more difficult, if not impossible. You must shut off the water in the house before you remove the screws that hold the faucet handles in place. Wrap a towel or rag around the tub’s spout before you turn it counterclockwise with a pipe wrench to un-thread it from the water pipe. The towel or rag will keep the wrench from scratching the spout.

Drainpipe Removal

• Old drainpipes from the underside of the tub must be disconnected and removed before you can lift out the tub. By removing the screws that hold the overflow drain cover in place, you can pull off the cover and any stopper mechanism that feeds down the overflow tube or pipe. You must break the plumber’s putty seal between the main drain and the bottom of the tub so you can turn the drain body counterclockwise and remove it from the drainpipe. You can use a drain key to turn the drain body, or you can insert a pair of pliers’ handles into the drain body then use a screwdriver to turn the wrench. You also must cut a hole in the wall directly behind the tub’s overflow drain opening so you can disconnect the pipes.

Built-in Tubs

• If your old cast iron tub is built in or it touches the walls on three sides of the tub, you must cut away any caulking seal between the tub and the wall and the bathroom floor. You may also need to cut into the wall an inch or two above the top of the tub since the wall may cover the top flange of the tub and be holding the tub in place. With free-standing cast iron bathtubs, such as claw foot tubs, you do not need to cut into the wall.

Lifting and Removal

• Once all of the connections between the tub and the wall and drainpipes have been removed, you are ready to lift out the tub. Since cast iron tubs are heavier than tubs made of other materials, you will help lifting the tub and carrying it out. You will also need crowbars to lift the tub up at first. Depending on the size of the tub and the dimensions of your bathroom and the rest of the house, you may need to remove the toilet, some doors and other fixtures so you can get the tub out of your house. Measuring the pathway, before removing the tub, helps you anticipate problems in advance. If the bathtub is too heavy to lift, you will need to cover it with a thick blanket then use a sledgehammer to break the tub apart so you can carry it out in pieces.