How to Expertly Navigate Your Bathroom Demolition

Shut Off Utilities

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Before diving into your demolition, shutting off utilities, like your electrical and water connections, is crucial to prevent mishaps like water damage. To shut off the electricity, do so at the circuit breaker. 

Turning off the water supply in a bathroom typically involves locating and shutting off the water valves. The two most important things to know are:

• Turn the valves clockwise (righty-tighty) to shut off the water supply. 

• Turn the valves counterclockwise (lefty-loosey) to open the valve.

Here’s where to find the valves:

Sink Faucet

Under the sink, there are usually two shut-off valves, one for hot water and one for cold water. Just give them a clockwise turn.

Toilet

Behind or near the toilet’s base, you'll find a shut-off valve connected to the water supply line. It's usually a small valve that you can turn by hand.

Bathtub and Shower

The shut-off valves for bathtubs and showers are often located in the access panel behind the shower wall or under the sink if there's a shared water supply. If you have trouble finding them, consult a local plumber or a knowledgeable professional.

Entire Bathroom

If individual fixture shut-off valves are elusive, there might be a main shut-off for the bathroom or home. This valve could be in the basement, utility room, or outside near the water meter.

Seal Off and Protect

During demolition, dust can swiftly infiltrate other sections of your home. To manage it efficiently, use zippered plastic entrances, plastic sheets, or drop cloths to enclose your bathroom. These partitions effectively contain dust within the demolition zone, minimizing the necessity for a comprehensive cleanup afterward.

If you plan to demo only one bathroom section, you can protect surfaces like walls and floors with rosin paper or cardboard, and use painter's tape to affix.

Clear the Space

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Remove all items from the bathroom, including towels, toiletries, and decor. Clearing the space prevents damage to your belongings and gives you a clear view of the area you're working with.

Start With the Fittings

Now, you are ready to start the demo. But first, keep the following in mind. If you plan to repurpose or donate items, move slowly and gently when removing materials from the bathroom to avoid damage. Afterward, label small components like hardware and knobs in zippered plastic bags for safekeeping.

Start with small, manageable tasks: removing fittings, such as mirrors, towel racks, and dispensers. You will need a screwdriver, drill, pry bar, and hammer. If you can't easily access screws and nails holding things into place, use a pry bar to loosen for access. 

Remove the Sink and Vanity

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Moving forward, you will want to keep some rags and towels on hand to mop up the water. Remember, at this point, the water valves should be off.

Use a wrench to disconnect the water supply lines and the P-trap beneath the sink. Place a bucket under the P-trap to catch any residual water.

Now, you can detach the sink from the vanity using a utility knife to cut through any caulk or adhesive. Depending on the type of sink, clips or brackets may be securing it. You will need a screwdriver or drill to remove them.

Moving on to the vanity, remove the doors and hardware first and unscrew or unclamp the cabinet from the wall. You can use a reciprocating saw to cut through the hardware if it is easier. If the vanity is heavy, have someone assist you to avoid accidents.

Remove the Toilet

It bears repeating: the water supply should be off. Next, flush and empty to drain the water out of the toilet. Use rags or sponges to remove the remaining water from the bowl and tank into a bucket.

Use a wrench to disconnect the water line from the bottom of the tank. Afterward, unscrew the nuts connecting the tank to the bowl, lift carefully, and place aside.

Loosen the floor bolts at the toilet's base—but don't remove them yet. Rock the toilet gently to break the wax seal. Once it's loosened, lift the toilet bowl off the floor bolts. It's a good idea to have someone help, as toilets can be heavy.

Now, cover the drain hole before processing with the demo to prevent debris from falling into the sewer link.

Remove the Tub

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Depending on the tub material and size, you might need to cut the tub into smaller pieces for easier removal. Start by detaching it at one end using a pry bar to remove it from the walls and floors. If the tub needs to be cut, remember the process can cause injury and potential structural problems, so it’s strongly recommended to consult a professional before attempting this task yourself.

After removing the tub, you can remove the faucet and trim plate using a screwdriver or drill.

Remove the Shower

Demolishing a shower requires careful steps. Start by removing shower heads, faucets, and accessories like soap dishes or shelves. You may need a drill, screwdriver, pry bar, and rubber mallet.

If the shower has tiles, carefully remove them using a hammer and chisel. It is a good idea to start from the edges and work your way inwards. For fiberglass or acrylic surrounds, pry them away from the wall.

For tiled showers, you might encounter cement board or backer board. Use a pry bar and hammer to remove it carefully.

Your shower may have a shower pan, which you can pry away from the floor.

How to Demo Walls

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For drywall, make a hole near a corner using a hammer and pry bar, and then carefully peel away the drywall to expose the studs beneath. If there is insulation, carefully pull or cut away from the area, ensuring minimal disturbance to wiring and plumbing, and dispose of it following local regulations.

If you need to remove a tiled wall or tile backsplash, use a hammer, chisel, and pry bar at the edge of the wall. To break tiles, hit in the center and work outward.

Remove the Flooring

The flooring is the last thing to demo. Doing it earlier disrupts stability and can harm the subfloor.

Start With the Baseboards and Trim

Gently extract baseboards and trim from the floor's perimeter, employing a pry bar and hammer. 

Remove Tile Flooring

The fastest way to do the job is by using a sledgehammer to break up the tile and grout, starting in the middle of the floor. Use a hammer and pry bar to avoid damage as you approach the wall.

Remove Laminate Flooring

Begin at a corner of the room and use a pry bar to lift the edge of a laminate plank. Then, continue using the pry bar to lift and detach the laminate planks from one another. Work your way along the edge, gradually lifting and removing each plank.

Waste Management

During a demolition, waste management is crucial for maintaining order and safety. It helps tidy the workspace and minimizes environmental impacts by promoting responsible disposal practices. 

Creating a waste management plan at the onset ensures accountable disposal. Some areas have specific requirements for demolition waste, particularly for hazardous materials, so it’s always a good idea to consult local regulations to know the guidelines. 

More things to consider:

• Separating: Keep construction trash bags on hand during your demo to separate materials like wood, metal, plastic, and tile. 

• Recycling: Recycle materials whenever possible. Many recycling centers accept construction materials like metals, tiles, and certain plastics.

• Reusing: If items are in good condition, consider donating or selling them. Some organizations accept used building materials for resale.