remove bathtub without breaking it

texancowboy

hey guys, i noticed the subfloor under my tub is rotted . any way i can pull the tub out without breaking it?

VIPlumber

Yes, it's possible. Could you post a pic of the tub as it is now, wide shot preferred.

texancowboy

stand by

texancowboy

Heres what Im planning on doing:
remove the shower panneling stuff
Remove bathtub (somehow)
repipe whole house (small house only one kitchen and one bath) using 1/2 or 3/4 pex. (I dont really NEED to do any repiping, but the old galvanized pipe is about 50 years old and i figure how would be the time so i never have to worry about it again)
fix floor with 3/4 plywood sealed with red guard
put up 1/2 hardie backboard and seal it with redguard
tile shower (eventually)

texancowboy

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/9/nonamegr.jpg/

VIPlumber

Sounds like a good plan, especially the part about re-piping the whole from galvy to pex (or almost anything else for that matter).

What type of drain pipe do you have? Cast iron? The reason I ask is that removing the drain from the tub may be a little more difficult if it's an older install. Seizing up over time, etc...

What type of floor is that in the bathroom?

texancowboy

I was wondering the same thing, so I just crawled under my house and ascertained this house had all the DRAIN pipes switched over to PVC sometime in the past. The floor, is old wooden planks. Some of which are rotted. The supports APPEAR to be in good shape, but i also plan to treat those in redguard as-well.

VIPlumber

Glad to hear about the PVC, means it might be a little easier to remove the drain. You'll need a dumbbell wrench, and maybe a buddy underneath with a pair of pliers to hold the nut underneath the tub so you don't break the drain when trying to remove the tub basket. Also, remove the overflow by taking the cover off. Depending on the type of floor, and if you're willing to peel it back/remove it, you might be able to get the tub out by sliding it out.

Ha, missed the toilet. That'll have to go as well. Nothing is ever easy, is it?

texancowboy

thats all i need?

What do i need for a repipe?

100 feet of pex?
pex fittings and rings
some pvc pipe

couple valves pvc to pex connecters.

a pvc to copper fitting (for the tub water pipes)

joecaption

Waste of time and money putting Red Guard on the floor joist.
Use Advantec subflooring and a layer of tar paper on top of it under the tub and call it a day.

texancowboy

tar paper? like roofing felt?

joecaption

Yes.
Most people use nothing and it still works out fine.

texancowboy

thanks joe

VIPlumber

As for a re-pipe, I understood that you have galvanized water pipe, yes? What type pipe is the water service pipe from the street made of? That's the connection you'll need to make to connect to the pex if you want to get rid of the galvy. And yes then pex rings and fittings (couplers, elbows) to finish the water hook-up. Not sure of your comment(s) concerning pvc to pex or copper? Up here pvc is not allowed for potable water, cpvc only.

texancowboy

i meant cpvc. I just couldnt remember it it was cpvc or pvcc. Figured you would know. I was under the impression i could run pex as my main line but have to tie into my sinks, toliet, tub, etc with cpvc. Can i get by with just pex? :D

I think this house had a new main line put in 10+ years ago. not sure what it was, but they tired into the old galvanized. Tight wads. :p

Anyway... had another question. I've decied to get one of them heavy duty tub surrounds from home depot or lowes instead of doin tile, but the GOOD ones (which is what i want) will cost around 250. I will also wanna get a new window and insulate the wall. My budget is a little tight right now. im already spening a pretty penny on drywall, paint, primer, new trim, new sink, etc. is there anyway i can remove the rub without doing to much damage to the walls? A little damage is ok because i can patch them up for the time being.

Give me a good answer, and youll be my new best friend. :D