Natwerk Designs

How difficult is it to remove a very old cast iron bathtub from a small bathroom?

What actually goes into getting it out of the house? We want to update our bathroom and get rid of it. We will be knocking the tile tub surround out before we remove the tub (because that needs to be completely redone as well), so the tile is not an issue. How much do cast iron tubs weigh? My dad says 300 lbs. but I don't see how people would be able to get them out of their homes if they weighed that much.

Public Comments

1. i wouldnt doubt it. Those things are HEAVY. good luck!!
2. 300 is about right.....when we do it we tape it off with duct tape and take a 12 lbs sledge hammer to it and bust it into smaller pieces.... lic. gen. contractor
3. It will sap you and another of all your strength, time, energy, and good feelings!!! Be prepared!!!
4. They got them into the homes in the first place. I've heard you can break them up with a sledgehammer but I wouldn't because I love those old tubs. Wear goggles if you do. Assuming it will fit through the door, which it will unless the room was built around it, they aren't really that hard to handle. How much it weighs depends how big it is, but three of us who were accustomed to moving things got my 'new' old cast iron tub(5.5 ft) up to the house, up a staircase with a landing and into the bathroom. Four fairly strong people should have no trouble. The nice thing about those tubs is the rim makes them easy to hang onto. Take it slow and in stages, plan your moves, and it should be fine. Don't count on the feet taking a lot of weight such as when you're tipping it.
5. Difficult enough to make you cry.
6. Hernia time!! 300 pounds is about right. It took three guys to slide one about 6 inches to adjust it., and we were all used to heavy moving. If you choose the sledge hammer approach I recommend gloves and sturdy eye protection. If you choose to move it in one piece you will need at least four guys, preferably bench pressing 300 pounds. If stairs are in volved, BE VERY CAREFUL!!
7. dad is right, many tubs are put in before walls are constructed, dry ice for a few min. covered with a towel will bring the tub to a temp. that when hit with a large hammer, will break tub. if saving, brute strength is about it. has to be dry ice. ask an ice cream vendor, they will have the dry ice... regular ice won't work
8. That cast iron bathtub was installed by 4 very large burly men. Busting it up is an option, but so is having it re-enameled and selling it. Nothing available today matches the solidity and warmth of a cast iron tub and there is a market for it. You can get a good price for it if it is large, clawfoot, or has art-deco or victorian features. Look past it's surface, that can be re-done. But, if it is a very plain tub your best bet is to take a sledge to it. Just take precautions against pieces of flying shattered iron.