Ready for a Better Bathroom? (2023)

We'll tell you how to get your bathroom down to four walls so you can build it back up the way you want.

A DIY Guide to Bathroom Demolition

Outdated tile getting you down? Want to trade in your tub for a sleek open shower? Before you can get the bathroom you want, you need to get rid of the one you have. If you’re hiring a pro to handle the remodel, making your bathroom demolition a DIY job is a great way to save some money on your project budget. It’s strenuous work, but it doesn’t take any special skills. Most homeowners can accomplish it using simple tools you probably already own.

Choose a Task:

Gather Your Tools

While there are a few items that you may need to rent from your local Home Depot or Lowe's, most bathroom demolition tools, supplies and safety gear can be found in a standard tool kit.

Clear Out the Little Stuff

Completely clean out your vanity, linen cupboard, shower, and shelves or other storage areas before you start your bathroom demo. This is a good opportunity to do some light bathroom organization, so throw out what you no longer use and donate anything in good condition. Move whatever you’re keeping to another room.

Remove Anything on the Walls

Next, take down your mirror to prevent damage while the hammers are swinging. If there are any shelves or cabinets to remove, but you plan to reuse them in your new design, tear them off carefully and store them somewhere out of the way.

Shut Off Utilities

It’s almost time to start the real work of gutting your bathroom. But first let’s make the room safe to work in.

Shut off power to the bathroom by finding the right switch in your breaker box and flipping it to the ‘off’ position. Your breaker box should have a circuit map showing which switch controls the bathroom, but if not, you’ll have to use good old trial-and-error.

Depending on how your plumbing is set up, there are a couple different ways to shut off the water supply.

If you have a manifold supply system:

1. Find the manifold lines near your main water supply line.
2. Identify the line for the bathroom. Each line should be clearly marked.
3. Use the manifold key to turn the valve on the bathroom’s line to the ‘off’ position.

Keep in Mind

If you can’t turn the key, don’t force it. Too much force can break the valve and flood your bathroom. Instead, turn off water to your whole house at the main water line.

Drain Water from Faucets and Toilet

To prevent a small-scale flood while you’re working, drain any water that’s left in your pipes after shutting off the water supply.

Turn on all faucets in the bathroom until water stops running.

Flush the toilet to drain the tank and bowl. Use a small cup or sponge to get rid of any water left behind. You can also use a wet/dry vac for water left after you flush.

Rent a Dumpster

Before you break out the tools, rent a residential dumpster to clean up as you work. Between your sink, vanity, tub, toilet, tile and backing, gutting a bathroom will leave you with way more mess than you can set at the curb. And even if you do, your trash service won’t take it.

If you’re not up for making several trips to the dump yourself, you’ll need a roll off container to avoid becoming that house with a toilet pulling double duty as a lawn ornament.

Check Dumpster Availability Near You

Safety Tip

If your home was built before 1978, test your bathroom walls for lead before starting tile demolition. If lead is present, hire a pro to avoid exposing your family to extremely harmful dust.

Keep in Mind

Take frequent trips to the dumpster while you work so you don’t risk tripping on loose tile. Use a Shop-Vac to suck up excess dust to avoid a slipping hazard.

How to Remove a Bathtub:

Grab your screw driver, utility knife, drywall saw, jig saw and pry bars and get to work.

• Use a drywall saw to cut through the drywall surrounding the tub to a height of about 8 inches, if it didn’t already come down in the last step. Be careful not to cut into studs.
• Unscrew any screws securing the tub to wall studs.
• Cut through any caulk between the tub and floor with your utility knife.
• Pry the tub a few inches away from the wall.
• Use a jigsaw to cut the tub into two pieces. If your tub will fit through your doors in one piece, you can skip this step, but cutting it will make it easier and safer to carry.
• Work with a helper to pry each piece up and pull it out.
• Carry each piece to the dumpster.

How to Remove a Shower:

Gather your wrench, pliers, screwdrivers, pry bars, utility knife, reciprocating or jig saw and a hammer and get ready to make a mess.

• Use a screwdriver to remove hinges on the shower door, then set the door aside.
• Unscrew or pry out fasteners holding the door frame in place, then pull the frame off. You may need your utility knife to cut through caulk.
• Detach fixtures like the shower head and arm, water control knobs or levers, drain covers, soap holders or towel racks.
• Cut your shower walls into manageable pieces using your reciprocating or jig saw. For tile showers, pry off rows of tiles in order to cut each wall in half. For fiberglass showers, cut each wall at the corner and base so you have three pieces and a floor.
• Pry the shower floor loose and remove.

What Comes After a Bathroom Demolition?

Now that the hard work of demolishing your bathroom is done, it’s time to have a really good stretch — and probably a nap. When you wake up, don’t forget to turn the water back on!

Need some help planning your renovation? Check out our advice for avoiding common mistakes.

What Do You Think?

What was the hardest part of your demolition? We're listening. Head over to Twitter or Facebook,

and use #dumpstersblog to join the conversation.

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