How to demo a bathroom | Step-By-Step Guide [2022]

Do you need a complete guide on how to demo a bathroom? This is the right place to get the help you need. We will be going through a whole load down on the various step on how to demo a bathroom in both written text and a detailed video in one package. Sounds good, right? Let’s get started! 

How to demo a bathroom:

• Remove your Bathroom Sink and Vanity
• Detach your toilet
• Time to remove your toilet Tile
• Taking out the shower or bathtub comes next

Making your bathroom demolition a DIY effort is a terrific method to save money on your project budget if you hire a contractor to conduct the redesign. It’s hard work, but it doesn’t necessitate any exceptional abilities. The majority of homes can do it using simple tools they already have.

Are you fed up with your old Tile? Do you want to ditch your tub in favor of a modern open shower? It would help if you first got rid of the bathroom you already have before getting the bathroom you desire. Next, we will be going into detail on how to demo a bathroom.

How to demo a bathroom

Can you redo a bathroom yourself? Yes, you can. This section’s goal is to teach you inaccessible, understandable details on how to demo a toilet the right way. 

Step 1: Remove your Bathroom Sink and Vanity

Follow these steps to remove your bathroom vanity easily.

• To capture any water in the drain trap, place a bucket beneath the sink drain.
• Unscrew the nuts around the P-trap, a u-shaped segment of pipe beneath your sink, with an adjustable wrench. Fill your bucket with any water collected in the P-trap.
• Unscrew the nuts on the water supply pipes that run through the wall to the sink.
• Any bolts or brackets connecting the sink to the wall should be checked behind it. Remove any that you discover and pull the sink out of the way.
• Pull the sink straight up and out if it’s attached to the vanity. Sinks are heavy, so have someone ready to assist you.
• Use your utility knife to cut through any caulk or unscrew fasteners attaching the vanity to the wall. Remove the mirror from the vanity.

Step 2: Detach your toilet. 

• You’ll need an adjustable wrench to get this done. When that is done, follow these steps. 
• The intake supply pipe is a threaded pipe positioned beneath the toilet tank. Remove the tube from the tank and the supply line valve behind the toilet on the floor or wall.
• If your toilet is a two-piece model, remove the tank from the toilet base and set it aside.
• With your adjustable wrench, remove the nuts and bolts that connect the base to the floor. If they’re stuck, spray them with WD-40 and ratchet them loose with a socket wrench.
• Cut through any caulk around the toilet base with a utility knife and remove the toilet off the flange bolts.
• Scrape the wax away from the drain flange on the floor with your utility knife. Remove the flange by unscrewing it.

Step 3: Time to remove your toilet Tile

Many people consider this as the most challenging part of any remodel. However, with our guidance, it’s also the easiest.

• Starting with the rounded tiles on the edge of your shower, chip away a vertical line of Tile with a hammer and chisel.
• Apply the same technique to the Tile along the top of your battery in a horizontal line.
• Cut through the exposed drywall with a reciprocating saw, being careful not to cut into studs.
• Pry down pieces of the Tile and backing with a pry bar inserted into these seams.
• Follow this procedure for all tiled sections as you work your way around the room.
• Before you swing your hammer, be sure you have solid footing and know where any helpers are.

Step 4: Taking out the shower or bathtub comes next

There are many essential segments to this guide on how to demo a bathroom. However, you need to pay attention here because done wrong, it could get messy.

Follow these steps to remove your shower:

• Remove the shower door’s hinges with a screwdriver, then place the door aside.
• Remove the door frame by unscrewing or prying out the fasteners that hold it in place, then pulling it off. Cutting through caulk may necessitate the use of a utility knife.
• Fixtures such as the shower head and arm, water-control knobs or levers, drain covers, soap holders, and towel racks should all be removed.
• Using your reciprocating or jigsaw, cut the shower walls into manageable pieces. Pry off rows of tiles to cut each wall in two for tile showers. Cut each division at the corner and base for fiberglass showers, so you get three sections and a floor.
• Remove the shower floor by prying it loose.

Follow these steps to remove your bathtub:

• If the drywall surrounding the tub didn’t come down in the previous step, use a drywall saw to cut it down to about 8 inches in height. Make sure not to cut through the studs.
• Remove any screws that hold the tub to the wall studs.
• With your utility knife, cut through any caulk between the tub and the floor.
• Pry the tub away from the wall by a few inches.
• Cut the tube into two parts with a jigsaw. You can skip this step if your tub can pass through your doors in one piece, but cutting it will make moving more accessible and safer.
• Pry each component up and out of its location with the help of a friend.
• Carry each item to the trash can.

Do you need a permit to remodel a bathroom?

When the inspectors come knocking, you’ve finally chosen to go ahead with the bathroom remodel, and you want to be sure you’re within the legal limitations. These inspectors will make sure that everything is done correctly and safely according to the rules. 

A basic rule in the industry is that a permit will be required if the remodeling is structural, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical. First, let’s look at what happened when it happened and why it happened.

When do you need a permit for a bathroom to remodel?

• A new plumbing supply and drain line are required when moving a sink or bath.
• In your bathroom, demolish a shower wall or a divider wall. A dividing wall or a shower structure can be added in the same way.
• In the bathroom, adding windows.
• Adding skylights or modifying the roofline of your bathroom.
• Installing a power outlet in your bathroom’s vanity area.

When do you not need a permit for a bathroom to remodel?

• Replacing your bathroom’s flooring.
• A new sink is being installed to replace one that had previously been established.
• Countertops must be returned or added.
• When carrying out a paint job.
• Replacing light fixtures or an outlet is an example of minor electrical work.
• Putting in a new toilet to replace one that has been there before.

Most contractors are aware of which projects require a permit ahead of time. Still, as a homeowner, you should be mindful of these parameters to avoid problems if you decide to conduct a short renovation yourself. 

How Long Does It Take to Remodel a Bathroom?      

When learning how to demo a bathroom, estimating the time to rebuild a bathroom is a complex undertaking. 

Estimation is especially vital in this case because most families consider it critical to have their restrooms up and running as quickly as feasible. 

Unless you’re fortunate enough to have multiple bathrooms, leaving one unusable while upgrading is a significant pain.

How Much Does a Bathroom Remodel Cost?

Now that you know how to demo a bathroom, how much will it cost? One of the most sought home renovation projects is a redone bathroom, which may also bring the most real estate value to your property. 

According to some estimations, a new bathroom may virtually pay for itself by increasing real estate value by 60%. 1 A home with a luxurious bathroom may spark bidding wars. Yet, a house with a tired, outdated bathroom may sit on the market for months without receiving a single bid.

According to Angie’s List, the average total cost of a bathroom makeover is between $10,000 and $15,000, with labor expenditures accounting for at least 20% of the budget. So you might expect to save thousands of dollars by doing your remodeling. But do you want to learn how to redesign a bathroom on your own? Would you please take a look at our step-by-step guide to see how to go about remodeling your bathroom?

Is a Bathroom Renovation Worth It?

Is knowing how to demo a bathroom worth it? Each homeowner must decide whether or not a bathroom makeover is worthwhile. Overall, you should expect a solid return on your investment, as well as a high project joy score. If having a restroom you enjoy using is important to you, then go ahead and do it. 

The fact that you’ll be able to recoup a large portion of the associated costs is just icing on the cake. Do a lot of research before hiring someone since cutting corners or hiring someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing will nearly always cost you more in the long run.