Removing a Prefab Tub & Shower Unit

Shut off the water supply to the tub and shower faucet by closing the plumbing’s main valve. Turn on another faucet in the house all the way to release any leftover water in the supply pipes. Either remove the screw on the underside of the tub’s spout and slide it off the water pipe or turn the spout counterclockwise with a pipe wrench until it unthreads from the pipe.

Remove the handles from the tub and shower faucet by first backing out the screws holding the handles in place, then sliding the handles off the faucet. The screws may be on the sides of the handles or under a cover in the middle of the handles.

Turn the screws holding the tub’s overflow cover in place counterclockwise to remove them. Pull on the cover to remove the attached linkage running down the overflow tube. Pull out the stopper from the tub’s main drain, pulling out the attached arm that runs down the drainpipe.

Place a drain key in the tub’s main drain and turn the key’s dial to expand it against the drain’s walls. Turn the drain key counterclockwise with a pipe wrench, breaking the seal between the tub drain body and the tub, then unthread the drain body from the drainpipe under the tub.

Cut an access hole near the bottom of the wall directly behind the tub’s faucet, revealing the tub’s drainpipes. Turn the compression nuts connecting the drainpipes counterclockwise with a pipe wrench and remove the loose pipes.

Put on safety goggles and gloves. Cut through the caulk around the tub, including between the tub and shower surround, using a utility knife. Cut through the drywall at least an inch from the perimeter of the shower surround, then peel away the drywall around the shower surround using a prybar and hammer.

Remove any anchor screws or nails holding the tub surround to the wall studs and pull the surround and the drywall the surround is attached to away from the wall studs, using the crowbar. Cut through the plastic anchors holding the tub in place at the foot and head of the tub, using the jigsaw.

Insert the prybar under one end of the tub to lift it up, then hold that end of the tub up with your hands while a helper inserts the prybar under the other end of the tub. Lift up the other end of the tub and slide the tub out of its nook.