How to Replace a Bathtub

Learn about bathtubs including how to remove and replace one.

Excerpted from Do It Yourself Home Improvement

Bathtub Anatomy and Removal

Bathtub dimensions can vary, so before you buy, check the dimensions of a new tub so that it will fit in the same spot as the old one. Another consideration with very large tubs is whether you will be able to maneuver it through your home to the bathroom. Room to work is also important—especially in smaller bathrooms. It will sometimes be necessary to remove the other bathroom fixtures in order to remove an old bathtub and install a new one. Before you begin to remove a bathtub, make sure you have enough room to fit the bathtub through the doorway. Turn off the water supply. After the water has been turned off, open a faucet below the tub level to drain the water supply lines. Remove the faucet, the drain, and the spout. If your bathtub is sandwiched between two walls, with the faucet and shower head located on one wall, you may be able to disconnect the piping and then pull the tub out. If this doesn’t work, you may have to remove a section of the wall around the bathtub, cut the piping, and remove the bathtub through the wall. If your bathtub is freestanding, removal is somewhat easier. After disconnecting the piping, you should simply be able to lift the tub out.