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#1
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Removing a Tub Surround
Has anyone ever removed a plastic glued on tub surround?
I have a 3 piece surround that is in excellent shape, but I have to remove the tub to do some structural repairs under it. There iw no other way. The surround overlaps the metal flange at the top of the porcelain metal tub, so the tub cant be removed without taking off the surround on the walls. I'd like to save and reuse the surround if possible, but that glue appears to be quite tight. (I was able to pry back one corner). I'm wondering if there is a special tool or some glue solvent? |
#2
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Removing a Tub Surround
wrote:
Has anyone ever removed a plastic glued on tub surround? I have a 3 piece surround that is in excellent shape, but I have to remove the tub to do some structural repairs under it. There iw no other way. The surround overlaps the metal flange at the top of the porcelain metal tub, so the tub cant be removed without taking off the surround on the walls. I'd like to save and reuse the surround if possible, but that glue appears to be quite tight. (I was able to pry back one corner). I'm wondering if there is a special tool or some glue solvent? Tear out the wall(s) on the other side(s), cut the studs at tub level and ceiling, remove the walls. QED |
#4
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Removing a Tub Surround
"Bob F" wrote:
wrote: Has anyone ever removed a plastic glued on tub surround? I have a 3 piece surround that is in excellent shape, but I have to remove the tub to do some structural repairs under it. There iw no other way. The surround overlaps the metal flange at the top of the porcelain metal tub, so the tub cant be removed without taking off the surround on the walls. I'd like to save and reuse the surround if possible, but that glue appears to be quite tight. (I was able to pry back one corner). I'm wondering if there is a special tool or some glue solvent? http://www.doityourself.com/stry/how...e-tub-surround Just a couple of points about the link you provided... First, the OP said he has a 3 piece tub surround, not a 1 piece as described in the link. Second, let's assume that the same steps could be followed whether it was a 1 piece or 3 piece surround. I have a 3 piece surround and there is no way I could use those steps to remove my surround. They say nothing about the wall board that covers the top and side flanges of the surround or the screws that hold the surround to the studs or a number of other issues. Those are some pretty specific removal instructions, not ones that will work for all installations. My guess is that the OP has something totally different. He said his was "plastic, glued on". My guess is those instructions are for a fiberglass surround. |
#6
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Removing a Tub Surround
On Fri, 13 Dec 2013 17:34:14 -0500, "TomR" wrote:
wrote: Has anyone ever removed a plastic glued on tub surround? I have a 3 piece surround that is in excellent shape, but I have to remove the tub to do some structural repairs under it. There iw no other way. The surround overlaps the metal flange at the top of the porcelain metal tub, so the tub cant be removed without taking off the surround on the walls. I'd like to save and reuse the surround if possible, but that glue appears to be quite tight. (I was able to pry back one corner). I'm wondering if there is a special tool or some glue solvent? I think that there is no way that you will be able to remove the existing 3-piece surround and re-use it. It will crack no matter what you do, and even if you were able to get it off in one piece (which ain't gonna happen), it would have globs of glue on the back and won't go back in place correctly. With a tile tub surround, people sometimes remove the bottom layer of tiles, remove the tub, then replace the tub, and put a new bottom row of tiles back -- usually of a different but compatible color or pattern. I doubt that you could do something similar by trying to cut the bottom inch off of the plastic tub surround, leave it in place, remove and replace the tub, and then put some kind of bottom border along the top of the tub. I think that won't work, but if you feel like giving that a try, you could and let us know what happens. I say, good luck, and good bye existing 3-piece tub surround and hello new tub surround. Funny you mentioned cutting off the bottom inch. I was looking at it again, and that looks like a good option. The problem is what to use to cover it afterwards. |
#7
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Removing a Tub Surround
On Fri, 13 Dec 2013 17:34:14 -0500, "TomR" wrote:
I doubt that you could do something similar by trying to cut the bottom inch off of the plastic tub surround, leave it in place, remove and replace the tub, and then put some kind of bottom border along the top of the tub. I think that won't work, but if you feel like giving that a try, you could and let us know what happens. Why don't you think that would work? It sounds like you have a good idea there. I say, good luck, and good bye existing 3-piece tub surround and hello new tub surround. |
#8
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Removing a Tub Surround
fase econony
the extra hours of removal, the great chance of damaging the existing one, the sub par likely look of it reinstalled, etc etc. its like putting in a new kitchen but wanting to reuse the old faucet....... some things arent worth the effort...... |
#9
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Removing a Tub Surround
wrote:
On Fri, 13 Dec 2013 17:34:14 -0500, "TomR" wrote: wrote: Has anyone ever removed a plastic glued on tub surround? I have a 3 piece surround that is in excellent shape, but I have to remove the tub to do some structural repairs under it. There iw no other way. The surround overlaps the metal flange at the top of the porcelain metal tub, so the tub cant be removed without taking off the surround on the walls. I'd like to save and reuse the surround if possible, but that glue appears to be quite tight. (I was able to pry back one corner). I'm wondering if there is a special tool or some glue solvent? I think that there is no way that you will be able to remove the existing 3-piece surround and re-use it. It will crack no matter what you do, and even if you were able to get it off in one piece (which ain't gonna happen), it would have globs of glue on the back and won't go back in place correctly. With a tile tub surround, people sometimes remove the bottom layer of tiles, remove the tub, then replace the tub, and put a new bottom row of tiles back -- usually of a different but compatible color or pattern. I doubt that you could do something similar by trying to cut the bottom inch off of the plastic tub surround, leave it in place, remove and replace the tub, and then put some kind of bottom border along the top of the tub. I think that won't work, but if you feel like giving that a try, you could and let us know what happens. I say, good luck, and good bye existing 3-piece tub surround and hello new tub surround. Funny you mentioned cutting off the bottom inch. I was looking at it again, and that looks like a good option. The problem is what to use to cover it afterwards. I am not sure what would work to cover it afterwards. But, I thought that I remembered seeing somewhere that in the United Kingdom they sometimes use a tub border piece instead of silicone caulk around the tub edge where the tub meets the wall. I found this image as one possible example: http://www.wickes.co.uk/self-adhesiv...m/invt/230261/ . And, I think I recently saw something similar in a Home Depot or Lowes that people can use to seal the border along the tub where it meets the wall, so maybe you can go to those types of stores and look and see what they have. Or, maybe, use ceramic tile trim like one of the ones shown on this page: http://www.homedepot.com/p/U-S-Ceram...289/202192236# , and maybe attach and seal it with ADHESIVE caulk (not regular caulk) like this: http://www.homedepot.com/p/DAP-5-5-o...861/100040837# . |
#10
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Removing a Tub Surround
micky wrote:
On Fri, 13 Dec 2013 17:34:14 -0500, "TomR" wrote: I doubt that you could do something similar by trying to cut the bottom inch off of the plastic tub surround, leave it in place, remove and replace the tub, and then put some kind of bottom border along the top of the tub. I think that won't work, but if you feel like giving that a try, you could and let us know what happens. Why don't you think that would work? It sounds like you have a good idea there. I am just not sure that there would be any easy or good way to cut the bottom inch off without damaging or cracking the plastic tub surround. But, maybe a sharp utility knife with a straightedge would work. And then the other question is how to put a new trim piece in along the tub and wall line after the tub goes back in place. But, maybe one of the trim ideas that I posted above would work. |
#11
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Removing a Tub Surround
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