How to Remove a Garden Tub?
Large garden tubs were once considered an impressive feature of new primary bathrooms, but today, many are outdated and difficult to use safely. Are you planning on swapping out a garden tub with a walk-in spacious shower for aging in place or more storage space? Clear away obstacles and prepare your workspace for this process by clearing away obstacles.
Clean the Tub to Remove Soap Scum
Adding a bathroom tub can be the most expensive part of bathroom renovations. Garden tubs are free-standing bathing fixtures designed to offer luxurious bathing experiences at home. Larger and deeper than regular tubs, garden tubs allow bathers to fully immerse themselves in water to relax muscles, soothe skin, and help alleviate sinus pressure.
Before beginning to remove a drain, take the time to give the area a thorough cleaning by removing soap scum and other forms of grime. Additionally, penetrating oil such as WD-40 may help loosen corrosion, make turning easier for you, and speed up the removal process.
Begin by setting up your work area by covering the floor with a towel or drop cloth and gathering all the tools necessary for uninstalling the tub drain. Locking pliers or drain wrenches are ideal for this task as they help avoid accidentally breaking either the crossbars or the drain assembly.
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Disconnect Water Lines & Drainage
Garden tubs were once a luxurious amenity in primary master bathrooms, but they don’t meet modern living’s demands. To improve accessibility, aging-in-place design, and other factors, many homeowners opt to convert these large bathtubs into larger walk-in showers instead.
If your bathtub’s water source hasn’t been turned off, turn its valve clockwise. Though this step isn’t strictly necessary, it could save a great deal of trouble should one of your pipes get bumped or disconnected during removal.
Removing any drywall, tiles, or other surrounding material that touches the top of the integrated flange around your tub’s drain pipe requires tools such as a screwdriver and pry bar; utility knives, drywall saws, and jig saws may be required for other materials.
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Remove Tub Surround & Fixtures
According to bathroom remodeling trends, garden tubs offer a luxurious bathing experience in your own home. They can often cost more than their standard bathtub counterparts, but their unique feature allows users to submerge themselves fully in hot water for a truly indulgent soak.
To unclog a garden tub drain, identify its type of stopper. Common options include Toe Touch, Push-Pull, Flip-It, and Lift-and-Turn stoppers. A Toe Touch or Flip-It tub features a flip lever at its top that opens and closes its drain – these types are often easy to unclog with just a twisting motion.
If your tub features a Push-Pull or Lift-and-Turn stopper, removing it may prove more challenging. If this is the case, try warming up its drain fitting using a hair dryer or heat gun before trying again.
Remove the Drain Cover
If the drain is blocked, use a hammer and chisel to loosen it cautiously; cast iron tubs may crack under excessive force.
Alternatively, you can replace the trip-lever drain stopper assembly with rods and a plunger. Make sure that this assembly has been cleaned thoroughly before reinserting it into place to inspect for signs of damage.
Installing a new drain requires applying the plumber’s putty around the inside of its opening before inserting. For maximum leak prevention, consider also using a rubber gasket. Finally, regularly flushing with hot water should prevent hair and soap scum accumulations in your new drain.
Remove the Setscrew
Garden tub is a free standing tub designed to allow users to fully immerse themselves in an indulgent bathing experience while offering numerous health benefits, such as pain relief and improved circulation.
They have become increasingly popular as an affordable luxury bathing experience that provides many health advantages, especially pain relief and improved circulation.
Garden tubs can be difficult to install and add an unexpected expense to any bathroom renovation project. Their size also makes climbing in and out difficult for anyone with mobility restrictions or restrictions.
Unscrew the Drain Fitting
Garden tubs are large and luxurious features that add style to any master bathroom and make a fantastic statement of luxury in any setting. However, they can take up significant floor space in older homes with outdated plumbing, and installation may prove challenging.
To unclog a drain, locate and unscrew the screw on top of the overflow cover using a wrench or screwdriver. If there are handles attached to it, pull them off before unscrewing.
Pop-up stoppers use a rocker arm connected to an overflow tube, which pushes down on a cap to open and close the drain. Flip-it drains use a lever that expands and contracts a gasket seal to open and close the drain. Both types are easy to use.
Remove the Drain Screws
Some large tub drains feature a flip lever that opens and closes the stopper, making it simpler for users to switch between open and close modes than knobs that must first be unscrewed from their bases.
Some tubs utilize a push-pull stopper with an internal threaded thread that threads directly into the crossbar strainer and can be unthreaded by gripping and twisting it counterclockwise.
Other drains feature a top cap that unscrews from a threaded cylinder base; in such instances, remove the screw with a screwdriver or pliers, twist counterclockwise to unscrew the stopper from the base, then try using a heat source such as a hairdryer to loosen the corrosion that’s holding the drain in place.
Clean the Area for New Garden Tub Installation
Before installing the new tub for a larger shower area, thoroughly clean the area where the garden bathtub once stood. Begin by removing debris, leftover adhesive, or caulk from the surface. Use a vacuum to clear away dust and small particles.
Wipe down the area with a mild detergent and water, ensuring all grime is removed. Check for mold or mildew, especially in damp spots, and treat accordingly. Ensure the subfloor is dry and in good condition, repairing any damage as needed. A clean, smooth, dry surface is essential for a successful and lasting bathtub installation.
Conclusion
Converting a garden tub into a more modern and functional space, such as a walk-in shower or additional storage, can significantly enhance the usability and aesthetics of your bathroom. Whether for improved accessibility, modern design, or simply to refresh your space, taking the time to prepare and execute this project properly ensures a smooth transition and a satisfying result.
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