How to Remove an Old Bathtub Yourself

The Complete Guide to Tear Out and Replace Your Tub

Whether you want to replace your tub with a walk-in shower or swap out a 70s-era eyesore for something more modern, planning a DIY tub removal leaves more money in your budget for the rest of your bathroom remodel. This project will take several hours and involve some heavy lifting, but a homeowner with some DIY savvy can accomplish it with a few tools you probably already have on hand.

We’re here to show you how to remove a bathtub without calling in a pro—and clear the way for creating the bathroom of your dreams.

Step-by-Step Instructions for DIY Bathtub Removal

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1. Gather Tools
2. Shut Off Water
3. Remove Hardware
4. Take Down Tile
5. Cut Drywall
6. Remove Screws
7. Cut Caulk
8. Pry Out Tub
9. Saw Tub
10. Remove & Dispose

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Step 1: Gather Tools

To change out a bathtub, you’ll need:

Tools and Materials:	Safety Gear:
Screwdriver Wrench Allen wrench Jigsaw Prybar Putty knife and utility knife Drywall saw or reciprocating saw Plastic sheeting or old plastic bags for vent covers	Safety glasses Work gloves Closed-toe shoes with sturdy soles Face mask (optional)

Pro Tip: Tape plastic sheeting over your vents to keep dust from spreading throughout the rest of your home.

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Step 2: Shut Off and Drain Water

You’ll need to do some quick prep work before you start tearing out your bathtub.

1. Shut off the water to the bathroom at your home’s main water shut-off valve.
2. Turn on your tub’s faucet to drain any water left in the pipes.

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Step 3: Remove Your Tub’s Hardware

Time to strip the faucet and drains from your tub. You can remove these in any order, but it’s often easiest to start from the top and work your way down. 

How to Remove a Tub Faucet

1. Scrape away any caulk between your faucet and the wall using a utility or putty knife.
2. Check for a screw on the underside of your faucet.
3. If there  is no screw, grab the faucet with both hands and turn counterclockwise until it detaches. 
4. If there is a screw, use an Allen wrench to remove it. Pull the faucet away from the wall. 
5. Check the exposed pipe for an adaptor—it will look like a piece of threaded metal on the end of the pipe.
6. Disconnect the adaptor by using an Allen wrench to remove the screw fastening it to the pipe.

How to Remove Faucet Handles

If you have lever-style handles, use an Allen wrench to remove the screws holding them in place. Screws are usually found under the lever.

For other handle styles, use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the screws. If screws aren’t visible, they’re probably under a “plug” on the front of the handle—often carrying the manufacturer’s logo. Use the tip of your screwdriver to pry off the plug and expose the screw.

After removing the screws, slide the handles off the valve stems by pulling them toward you. If the handles are stuck, spray on a coat of WD-40 and wait 10 minutes before trying it again.

How to Remove Drain Covers and Drains:

1. Unscrew the drain cover using a screw driver or Allen wrench.
2. Pry up the cover and pull it from the tub.
3. If there are no screws, just pry up the cover with a screw driver or putty knife. If it won’t come out when lifting it straight up, try twisting it counterclockwise, as it may be threaded in.
4. Find the screws on the overflow drain cover.  They’ll either be located on the cover’s face or under the bottom edge of the faceplate.
5. Use a screwdriver or Allen wrench to remove them.
6. Locate the access panel for your bathtub’s pipes on the other side of the wall behind your tub.
7. If there is no access panel and the bathroom is on the ground floor, check the basement ceiling under your bathroom. If they aren’t accessible from your basement, you’ll need to cut through the drywall behind your tub to reach the pipes.
8. Locate the main and overflow drain pipes.
9. Disconnect both pipes by turning the nuts counterclockwise with a wrench.

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Step 4: Take Down Tile

To remove your bathtub, you’ll first need to tear out the surrounding tile. Here’s what to do:

1. Score the tile grout with a utility knife up to about 8 inches from the rim of the tub. 
2. Pry off the tile with a putty knife.
3. Repeat until all tile has been removed.

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Step 5: Cut Through Drywall

Now that you can see it, it's time to get rid of the drywall:

1. Cut the drywall into manageable pieces with a drywall saw. Be careful not to sink your saw in deeper than half an inch to avoid cutting into studs. If your walls are plaster, use a reciprocating saw for this instead.
2. Use a prybar to pull the drywall pieces from the studs.
3. Carry debris to your dumpster so you’ll have a clear, safe work area for the next step.

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Step 6: Remove Screws Securing the Tub

You’re in the home stretch! Time to finally work on the bathtub. First, through, you need to get rid of what's holding it to the wall.

1. Locate any screws securing the tub to wall studs.
2. Detach any caulk that might be covering the top of the screw.
3. Remove the fasteners with a screwdriver or prybar.

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Step 7: Cut Away Caulk

There's still one place where the bathtub is attached to your bathroom: the floor. Luckily, it's easy to detach it:

1. Cut through any caulk between the tub and floor with a utility knife.
2. Push on the tub gently to ensure the caulk seal has been broken.

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Step 8: Pry the Tub Out

Get a friend for this step. It's time to do some heavy lifting.

1. Pry the tub a few inches away from the back wall using your pry bar.
2. Check the space behind to make sure it is fully detached from the wall.

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Step 9: Saw Tub into Smaller Pieces

Bathtubs can be quite heavy. Make the job easier by cutting the pieces down to size.

1. Cut the tub with your jigsaw near the drain so that you now have two pieces.
2. Continue cutting the tub until you feel confident you can carry the pieces.

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Step 10: Remove and Dispose of Each Piece

You've put in all the work, now it's time to finish the job and get the tub out of your bathroom.

1. Work with a helper to pry each piece up and pull it out of its space.
2. Use caution when removing the piece with the drain hole to avoid damaging pipes.
3. Carry each piece to the dumpster.

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Bathtub Removal FAQs

So, You Removed Your Bathtub – Now What?

If you’re gearing up for a full-scale remodel, changing out an old tub is just one piece of the puzzle. Use our bathroom demolition guide to completely gut your bathroom. With tips for tearing out your vanity, toilet and more, you’ll save money by giving your contractors a clean slate to start from.