Demolishing your existing bathroom requires a strong back, high tolerance for dust and debris and perseverance. Having the right tools will make the job go easier and faster. Take some time to prepare and you'll minimize the dust and grit that seems to find its way to every part of your home.

This is the second article in a series on Lesson Learned from Bathroom Remodeling. Demolishing your existing bathroom can take the entire day or more. It really depends on how your existing bathroom was constructed. Our pink bathroom was constructed back in the 1960s on plaster walls. It's like a mini bomb shelter. The tile, plaster and wire mesh were about 5 inches thick.



Decide the Fate of Your Old Bathroom
Before beginning any work, either rent a construction dumpster or a truck to haul away the debris to a landfill. Once the demolition work began, there was dust and grit everywhere from the plaster and tile.

Better yet, donate old tubs, sinks, faucets, vanity cabinets and other items to organizations like Habitat for Humanity. Also make sure you tell any day workers and helpers that you want to save the old items so that they will not damage or trash them when they are removed. Offer the materials to them if they can haul it away.

Tools and Supplies
You'll need the following equipment or tools to demolish the bathroom whether you plan on doing it yourself or hiring some day laborers to do the work:

1. Sledge hammer,
2. Reciporcating saw,
3. Wheel barrel,
   
4. Large shovel,
5. Shop vacuum cleaner and filters,
6. Heavy duty gloves,
   
7. Face gargles,
   
8. Face aspirators,
9. Roll of 4 mil plastic sheeting,
10. Duck tape or Construction tape
    
11. Construction paper,
12. Screw drivers and wrenches,
13. Some 1/2 or 5/8 plywood,
14. Old towels,
15. Large bucke
16. High intensity light

Need help to remodel your bathroom? Find a good contractor in your neighborhood here.

Rent vs Buying Tools

Most of the above items you will have to buy, but you can also rent tools like sledge hammers, reciprocating saws, and wheel barrels. If you think you will be using these tools on other bathrooms then consider buying them. Most home improvement and hardware stores run sales on tools.

Compare the purchase price and rental price. It may be cheaper to buy tools and then sell them in a yard sale if you're going to use them for a major project.

Preparation and Dust Control
We really recommend that you either send your family on a vacation or implement the following steps to preserve your marriage or current relationship with your significant other:

• Use the 4 mil plastic to isolate other rooms from the bathroom you'll be renovating as well as the route that you'll take to dump the materials in the dumpster. There are also special dust control devices available like the Zipwall.
• Place towels at the bottom of doors to reduce the amount of dust getting into other rooms.
  
• Also lay out the construction paper on the floors of your route to the dumpster or truck.
• Use the plywood so that you (or the workers) and the wheel barrel can easily get over steps, etc.
  

Remove Items
Removing items in order rather than haphazardly, generally makes the job go easier and faster. This is especially true if you want to donate or save some of the fixtures.

• First remove all the personal items from the vanity cabinet, medicine cabinet and any pictures or mirrors. Also remove the toilet paper holders, towel rods, shower rod and robe hanger.
• While your at it, close the water valves at your sink and toilet and or turn off the main water valve to your home.
• Flush the toilet and disassemble the toilet bowl tank. Pour any remaing water in the bucket. Carefully loosen the toilet bowl nuts or screws and remove the toilet bowl. Put some old rags on top of the waste pipe to minimize any odor.
• Disassemble the sink faucet and sink from the vanity cabinet. Then loosen the screws from the vanity cabinet that are attached to the wall and remove the cabnet.
• Remove the tub. This is easier said then done. You will have to use a sledge hammer or saw to do this. Be especially careful not to cut any water pipe or electrical wires.

Walls and Floors
The fun part begins when you start to remove the walls and ceramic tiles. Some people find this therapeutic. Be careful not to overdo it so you don't accidentally damage the wall or tile in an adjacent room and any electrical wires, HVAC and water/waste pipes.

Also be careful when using the reciprocal saw so that you don't accidentally don't get electrocuted or cute through water and waste pipes. Your goal is to end up with a good clean room that is ready for plumbers, electricians and HVAC contractors.

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