DIY Network

Partial Demolition Out with the old, in with the new.

Erin and Chris are eager to update their condo bathroom, but not everything is going away. Amy Matthews shows them how to do a safe demolition job that doesn't damage the fixtures they're keeping.

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This outdated vanity, mirror and toilet have got to go.

Materials:

wet/dry vac
utility knife
adjustable wrench
putty knife
toilet drain cap
duct tape
safety glasses
work gloves
suction cups
prybars

Figure A

Partial Demolition

• Disconnect the water supply to the toilet. Flush the toilet to drain the water from the bowl and the tank, then use a wet/dry vac to remove the rest of the water from both.

• If there is a silicone seal around the base of the toilet, cut it with a utility knife (figure A).

• Remove the plastic covers from the closet bolts at the base of the toilet. Remove the nuts and washers.

• Lift the toilet off the flange and remove.

• Remove the closet bolts from the flange. Scrape up the old wax ring from the flange with a putty knife and discard. Also use a putty knife to scrape up any caulk left on the floor from the toilet.

• Cap off the open drain to keep sewer gases from entering the home – and to prevent items from falling down the drain.
  

  Figure B

• To remove the mirror, first apply several long strips of duct tape across the mirror to keep it from shattering if it breaks.

  Safety Alert: Always wear safety glasses, work gloves and a long-sleeve shirt when removing a mirror to protect from injury if the glass breaks.

• Amy recommends heavy-duty suction cups with handles for removing large mirrors (figure B). Simply press the suction cup against the mirror and pump the button several times to create suction and hold it into place.

• Steadying the mirror with handled suction cups, use a pry bar to gently loosen the mirror from the wall.

• Turn off the water supply at the shut-off valves, then turn on the faucet and allow the water to run out of the faucet and down the drain. Disconnect water lines from the shut-offs; keep a few towels underneath the lines to catch any water that remains in the lines.

• Disconnect the drain from the bottom of the sink, then disconnect the P-trap assembly from the drain to the wall. This will make it easier to remove the vanity, since the awkward-shaped P-trap won't be in the way.

• Use a utility knife to cut through the caulk securing the vanity countertop to the wall. Gently rock the counter back and forth to loosen, then lift off and remove.

• Unscrew the vanity from the wall studs and remove. It may be necessary – as it was in this demolition – to widen the opening around the drain pipe to get the vanity off.