Installation 

How to break a cast-iron bath: useful tips from experts. Dismantling a cast-iron bath: two ways to remove an old cast-iron bath from an apartment Is it easy to break a cast-iron bath

A cast-iron bath, along with its strength and reliability, has one significant drawback - a lot of weight. And when it comes to dismantling a cast-iron bath, the owners have to face a number of difficulties - pulling the product out of the apartment onto the street is not so easy, and in some cases, due to tight passages, it is completely impossible to do. There is only one way out - to break the bath.

Ways to break a cast iron bath

In order to break cast iron bath would need:

  • sledgehammer,
  • Bulgarian,
  • gloves,
  • reinforced bags for construction debris,
  • soundproof headphones (optional)
  • old blanket or other soft material(optional).

It is customary to break a cast-iron bath with a sledgehammer. Of course, it is worth entrusting the matter to a man. Even a person with an average level of physical fitness, such a task is within the power. Keep in mind that you will not be able to quietly break the bath, so this work must be carried out during the daytime. If possible, warn the neighbors so as not to scare anyone or cause discomfort to anyone. Now, with a clear conscience, you can get down to business.

Before starting work, prepare a tool (sledgehammer), free up space around the bath, so that in the future it will be easier to collect fragments. If you're afraid to hurt flooring, lay an old blanket on the place of work or soft tissue. Be sure to wear gloves to avoid accidentally cutting your hands. As we said, smashing a cast-iron bathtub is accompanied by a lot of noise, reminiscent of bells, so it is advisable to have soundproof headphones.

To make the cast-iron bath easier to prick under the impact of a sledgehammer, cut its sides with a grinder in several places. If desired, you can divide the bath into several parts only with the help of a grinder. But this procedure is laborious, lengthy and is accompanied by a large amount of debris, or rather construction dust. Therefore, it is easier and more convenient to break a cast-iron bath with a sledgehammer.

5-6 persistent blows should be enough for the bathtub to break into at least two parts. If necessary, break large pieces again, then it will be easier and more convenient to take parts of the bath out of the apartment.

Carefully collect small fragments together with the remnants of tiles or other trim, if any, and pack in special reinforced bags designed for construction debris. So you can easily get rid of the old cast-iron bath.

As a rule, a cast-iron bathtub is the most durable piece of every apartment. But sometimes in the process of repair it is required to replace it. Some try to endure it entirely, although this is a very difficult task, due to its enormous weight. Very often in our apartments there are such narrow passages that it is simply impossible to take out a bath because of its bulkiness. And after a little thought, you decide to break the tub and take it out piece by piece. Here the question arises: how to break a cast-iron bath? This article will give you the answer.

Start dismantling the cast-iron bathtub by removing the fasteners.

List of materials and tools:

  • Bulgarian;
  • sledgehammer;
  • bags for construction debris;
  • an old blanket or other soft cloth (put under the bathroom);
  • burlap or other durable fabric (cover the bath to reduce the impact force of flying fragments);
  • tight clothing, closed shoes, headgear, construction gloves, protective mask (to protect the body from flying fragments);
  • soundproof headphones (optional).

Technological process

The scheme of the structure of the bathroom on legs and brick

First you need to unplug old bath from the fastening elements with which the bath was attached, and dismantle the drain. If it is not possible to disconnect the drain, it is cut off with a grinder. You should also remove all objects that may interfere with the dismantling of the bath (both under and above the bath), and remove the mixer. To dismantle the bath, the edge of which is embedded in the wall, you need to dismantle the legs of the bath (starting from the far ones) and, after that, pressing on it from above, “drop” it on the floor. Before dismantling the old cast-iron bath in this way, it is required to put some kind of soft material under it in a thick layer to soften the impact of the bath on the floor.

Breaking a cast iron bath will not be easy. This job requires strong man and a sledgehammer. Before proceeding with the demolition, it is necessary to clear the space around the bath, lay a soft cloth on the floor (to protect the floor), put the bath itself on its side so that it has free access from both sides. Scrapping a cast-iron bathtub is enough dangerous job: high risk of injury from flying fragments of the bath. To protect yourself from these fragments, you should wear thick clothing, shoes, a hat, construction gloves and a protective mask. To protect your ears from loud enough noise, you can wear soundproof headphones.

To minimize the risk of injury from bath shards, remove household members from the premises

How to break a cast-iron bathtub without applying extra effort? The weakest point of the bath is near the drain hole. To break through it, a series of blows should be applied from the inside to the bottom near the drain hole.

The need to cut the cast-iron structure arises when dismantling communications. You will learn about how to cut cast iron and structures from it from the material.

Most often, the need to cut the cast-iron structure arises when dismantling outdated communications. Hope for a speedy completion of the work collapses immediately - in the Soviet Union, pipes were connected with cement, sulfur and aluminum, so it is incredibly difficult to cut them. But a couple of working methods are known. You will learn about how to cut cast iron and structures from it from the material below.

As with any metal, cast iron cutting methods are divided into thermal and mechanical. The choice of a particular tool depends on the design features. The following is the equipment that saws (or cuts) cast iron:

  • pipe cutter;
  • angle grinder;
  • chisel;
  • hacksaw for metal;
  • jigsaw
  • plasma installation;
  • gas cutters.

Now it is worth evaluating cutting with the help of these tools with cast iron objects.

pipe cutter

This is a special device for cutting pipes from different materials. There are manual (mechanical) and electric tools. Both types are suitable for diameters 15-360 mm.

First, a carbide disc is mounted on the apparatus. The removable element has a number of advantages over classic abrasive ones. For example, 4 times faster cutting speed, no sparks and no need to add any substances to the cutting zone. A diamond coating is applied over the cutting edge, which prolongs the service life of the products. Examples of pipe cutters for cast iron pipes are portable Exact Pipecut products for diameters less than 360 mm.

Alas, rarely a home pipeline can be easily cut with a pipe cutter. It may be difficult to access the tool or the cutting point is bent so that the device cannot be captured. Therefore, it is worth considering other options.

Angle grinder

Working with a grinder is quick and convenient, but not without drawbacks. For example, it cuts only in a straight line. An attempt to make a figured cut will lead to “biting” of the disk, its breakage, and possible injury to the user. Therefore, the machine is used for cutting in a straight line. Another disadvantage is the fire hazard of the method (abrasive disc + metal = sparking). Before work, you will have to wear goggles, face protection and hands.

Cutting around is more efficient than with a jigsaw, so more often users choose a noisy grinder. When buying a cutting wheel, prefer products on a bakelite bond, because they are an order of magnitude stronger than their ceramic counterparts.

Hacksaw for metal

A device similar to a grinder by the principle of operation. You will have to mess with it for more than one hour, especially if you cut a large-diameter cast-iron pipe. The disadvantages of the method are time costs, physical effort, the inability to work in a limited area. But the method is safe.

Working with a chisel and hammer

This pair of products will help separate cast iron in a hard-to-reach place. Dismantling work begins with pipes remote from the riser in places where a grinder or a hacksaw cannot be inserted. Since cast iron is a brittle material, it is easily destroyed after point dynamic loads.

A good percussion instrument has a rubber or polymer tip to soften the impact slightly. This is necessary so that the pieces of cast iron do not scatter around, do not fall into the riser and do not create a blockage.

A chisel and hammer work great with Soviet-era cast iron, that is, combined with sulfur, aluminum and cement. As you move towards the riser, there is usually more free space to work, so further cast iron can be cut off with a more efficient device. As with a grinder, when working with a chisel, it is recommended to cover areas of the body into which a cast-iron fragment can fly off.

The productivity of work is extremely small, but sometimes you can’t do without them.

Electric hacksaw

It is much more convenient for the user to work with an electric saw than with a grinder, although the principle of operation is not much different. A lightweight device with smaller dimensions than an angle grinder, the web is consumed more slowly than the disk, if it is correctly selected (marking HSS or BIM, and the length is also taken into account).

Less injury risk, the speed of the process is something between a grinder and a manual hacksaw, the cheapness of consumables and their availability are the advantages of cutting cast iron with an electric hacksaw.

Plasma cutting

The method relates more to industrial than to household, so it will not be considered in detail. If the goal is the minimum consumption of material, speed of work, noiselessness, there is no better equipment for cutting cast iron. The plasma will make cuts in workpieces with a thickness of more than 200 mm, and the sawn material will hardly have to be processed at the end of the work.

The method is used by large enterprises of metallurgy, industry, where there is a need for cutting and transporting scrap iron. Plasma installations are indispensable for volumetric work.

gas cutting

There are two methods of gas cutting of cast iron:
  • gas-oxygen;
  • oxygen spear.

In the first case, the workpiece is affected by the thinnest jet of flame supplied under high pressure. The product of combustion is usually a mixture of oxygen with kerosene or diesel fuel. By the way, effective method during the elimination of man-made accidents.

The second method resembles oxy-fuel, only a thin tube of hardened steel acts as a cutting element. Its tip is heated to almost 1500 degrees (welding / soldering iron / lamp), then oxygen is supplied through it, ignited at the outlet and heated to 2000 degrees. The resulting burning mixture easily copes with thick cast iron.

Both methods are good, but there are disadvantages - it is important to have experience with gas equipment. Responsible and precise cutting should only be done by a professional. The second drawback is the release of gas that is harmful to health during the operation of the torch.

The method is suitable for fresh air or in the garage. For example, the need to eliminate a cast-iron castle with swing gate. The cutter works quietly, you will not disturb anyone.

Conclusion

Based on the opinion of experienced builders and repairers, in the best possible way cast iron cutting stand out:

  • for home - grinder, hacksaw;
  • in the garage - gas cutter;
  • in production - plasma installations.

Experienced people advise taking several tools into service when working at home, starting with a chisel and ending with a jigsaw.

Do you know how to quickly saw off a cast-iron lock or pipe? Share your experience with readers in the comments.

Cast iron bath, according to masters involved in repair work professionally, is the most durable accessory. However, there comes a time when it needs to be replaced. Many owners of old baths try to delay this moment as long as possible, covering the product with new layers of enamel for this. Some people approach this issue radically. This category prefers to completely remove the old bath from the house, and not install a new one in its place. It can be dismantled with or without preservation. Having tried to make this accessory whole, beginners face difficulties and wonder if it is possible to break a cast-iron bath. Or do you have to take it out whole? In this case, you have to hire a brigade or call someone to help.

How to break a cast-iron bathtub in the bathroom? This question becomes very relevant for those who decide not to use the old accessory anywhere else. This task will be easy to deal with. For information on how to quickly break a cast-iron bath, you will find in this article.

About dismantling methods

There are two ways to replace an old bath:

  • With preservation. The bathtub is carefully disconnected from the rest of the communication in the house and taken out. It can be used later. Judging by the reviews, this method is complex and laborious.
  • Without saving. In this case, you can both break the cast-iron bath and cut it with an angle grinder. Pieces of the tub are then taken out. Due to the fact that the product now weighs much less, one person can cope with this work. According to experienced craftsmen, if it is necessary to dismantle the bath, they mainly resort to this method. The disadvantage of this method is that the procedure is accompanied by a very large roar.

What is the peculiarity of the method?

According to reviews, it can be concluded that the procedure for breaking a bathtub with a sledgehammer is the most proven method of dismantling in practice. However, it requires a lot of physical effort. To destroy the bath into several parts is not available to everyone. The work must be done by a physically fit person. In addition, the procedure itself should be done during the day. Otherwise, a scandal with neighbors is inevitable.

Training

Before proceeding with the dismantling, you need to prepare the room in which the work will be carried out. It is desirable that there is nothing superfluous in the bathroom, namely various cabinets and bedside tables. In order not to damage the toilet, if the bathroom is combined, it is better to remove it from the room as well. The floor must be covered with a rubber mat. Otherwise, the cast-iron product laid on the tiled surface will slip.

Instruments

Since the bath will first of all need to be disconnected from the pipes, the master needs to acquire the following:

  • Adjustable and regular wrenches.
  • Screwdrivers.
  • Pliers.
  • Hacksaw for metal and grinder.
  • Crowbar.
  • Sledgehammer.

In view of the fact that rough physical work will be carried out, the master should take care of the means of protection. It is necessary to prepare special gloves and goggles.

Where to start?

Before you break the cast-iron bath, it must first be disconnected from all communications. The first step is to disconnect the overflow. According to experts, cast-iron pipes were installed in many old houses. Therefore, after many years they rust heavily, become covered with scale, and the master may have difficulty dismantling cast-iron plumbing. The situation is better if communications are represented by metal-plastic components. In this case, they simply unscrew. It is enough for the master to prepare only pliers. It is not uncommon for the overflow grate to stick strongly.

Before you break the cast-iron bath, you need to dismantle this element. Many craftsmen clamp it with pliers and scroll counterclockwise. If it is not possible to dismantle the overflow in this way, it is cut off by a grinder. Judging by the reviews, fasteners often have heavily rusted threads, which can be dealt with only after they are cut. First, several cuts are made on the grate, and then the overflow is knocked down with a chisel. Then a cross is knocked out under the grate. As a result, the siphon should hang freely, connected to the rest of the sewer communication. To remove it, the master needs to get rid of the coupling. Some beginners are wondering if it is possible to break a cast-iron bath with a sledgehammer. According to experts, it is quite possible to do this. It is only necessary to adhere to a clear sequence of actions.

About the weak point of the bath

For those who have never done anything like this before and do not know how to break a cast-iron bath with a sledgehammer, experts recommend finding its most vulnerable spot in this plumbing product. Judging by the numerous reviews, it is located at the bottom, namely near the drain hole. That is where you should hit with a sledgehammer.

Working process

After the product has found its most vulnerable point, the following steps must be performed:

  • First of all, the bath should be slightly moved away from the wall. To complete this task, you will need a chisel and a hammer, with which the plumbing product is relieved of cement mortar along the perimeter. The optimal distance of the bath to the wall will be from 100 to 150 mm.
  • With the help of an angle grinder equipped with cutting wheels, several cuts should be made on the bath. The task of the master is to deprive the product of strength. The places of cutting on the bath should be its curved edges on both sides. They are used as stiffeners. If the job is done correctly, then strong blows on the bottom of the cast iron product, it will develop.
  • Break the drain hole. On the this stage You don't need to turn the bathtub. The master only applies very strong blows with a sledgehammer to the drain from the inside of the bath. Judging by the reviews, after these actions, the bath is divided into two separate halves. If this did not happen, then it will happen to deal with its sides.
  • Turn the tub on its side and cover with old rags. Burlap is also fine. Blows are applied to the outer part of the cast iron product. As a result, the previously broken drain hole in the bathroom should turn out to be even more expanded. After several blows in the tub, a long strip forms along its entire bottom.

Completion

At the very end, the cast-iron bath must be completely turned over. The bottom of the sanitary ware should be directed upwards. At this stage, the sides are processed with a sledgehammer. As a result, the bath is broken into several pieces, which will then be convenient to take out. In addition, the bath can be divided into smaller pieces. To do this, you have to work as a grinder. The gas cutting method is considered quite effective.

For those who do not know how to break a cast-iron bath, professionals recommend adhering to safety precautions. Mostly this work is done by two people. Since the procedure involves a grinder and a sledgehammer, you can protect yourself from injury if all actions are coordinated.

Due to the fact that particles of broken cast iron can get into the face from strong blows of a sledgehammer, the plumbing product should first be covered with burlap. This will also protect the bathroom itself. The speed of dismantling and safety directly depend on the correct organization of work.