Removing a bathroom: the steps and the mistakes to avoid

Removing a bathroom follows a set order: make water and electrics safe, protect, remove sanitary ware, strip wall and floor tiles, then remove the waste and clean. Getting the order wrong risks a leak, damage to neighbouring rooms or doing the job twice.

Step 1 — Make safe

Have your plumber shut off the water and cap supplies and drains. Have your electrician isolate and make safe the room’s circuits. This is the number one source of damage on this kind of job.

Step 2 — Protect

• Protect the hallway floor and the route to the exit.
• Close the door and seal the room to limit dust.
• In a block of flats, protect the lift and stairwell.

Step 3 — Remove sanitary ware and units

Bath, shower tray, basin, toilet, units and mirrors come out first, freeing access to the walls and floor.

Step 4 — Wall tiles, floor tiles and screed

Wall tiles are often removed with a hammer and bolster chisel; floor tiles and screed with an electric chipping hammer. Does the screed have to go? Not always: if it is sound and at the right level, it can stay. That is assessed on site.

Step 5 — Remove waste and clean

Tiles and screed are heavy. Plan the right containers (bags, skip) and regular removal so the site does not fill up. Use our rubble calculator to estimate it.

The most common mistakes

• Starting without turning off the water.
• Underestimating the weight of the rubble.
• Damaging a concealed pipe while removing a partition.
• In an older building, forgetting that some adhesives or coverings may contain asbestos.

More: bathroom demolition.

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