I spent Saturday afternoon demolishing the kids' bathroom, which took me about four hours to complete. Having never demo'ed a room before, I took my time and followed instructions from the Black & Decker The Complete Guide to Bathrooms, Updated 4th Edition: Design * Update * Remodel * Improve * Do It Yourself (Mar 16, 2015, Editors of Cool Springs Press). I decided to use Black & Decker's book because they have great pictures and easy to follow instructions.
I began with the toilet. The hardest part about the toilet was loosening the bolts that secured the tank to the seat. It took me awhile-struggling with a flat head screwdriver and an adjustable wrench. The first bolt had developed some rust and its head had seriously deteriorated due to being submerged underwater for so long. I kept telling myself to pause already and go find some proper tools to get the job done but I just kept the slow going. I figured I was already in it and just finish with what I was using. I eventually prevailed.
The second bolt went much faster because I decided to pause and find the right tools for the job. I took a break and tracked down a locking vise grip and a 7/16 combo wrench. They worked like a charm! The second bolt came off in a few minutes and I had the tank free.
The seat came off easily from the floor.
Next up was the vanity. I followed the instructions and started with the vanity top. It came free after I cut through the caulking around the back splashes and worked it off of the vanity. It was pretty heavy because it was one of those vanity tops that had an extra long piece attached to it and extended off of the vanity and over the toilet. It came up without any damage.
The vanity itself took a little more time because it was screwed and caulked to the wall in various places. But after some cutting, unscrewing, and pulling it all came free.
Finally, I tore up the flooring and discovered at least one more layer of vinyl flooring beneath. Apparently, this is a typical practice of laying flooring atop pre-existing flooring. I cut out various sized pieces of flooring and pulled them up by hand. It didn't give up much of a fight.
All that was left was old adhesive and underlayment (I think). According to some family who are also going through their own remodel right now, I might have to use an angle grinder or rent a scraper to get that stuff off. I am also considering cutting through the flooring all the way down to the subfloor and building it back up with new plywood, underlayment, and cement backer board.
I began with the toilet. The hardest part about the toilet was loosening the bolts that secured the tank to the seat. It took me awhile-struggling with a flat head screwdriver and an adjustable wrench. The first bolt had developed some rust and its head had seriously deteriorated due to being submerged underwater for so long. I kept telling myself to pause already and go find some proper tools to get the job done but I just kept the slow going. I figured I was already in it and just finish with what I was using. I eventually prevailed.
The second bolt went much faster because I decided to pause and find the right tools for the job. I took a break and tracked down a locking vise grip and a 7/16 combo wrench. They worked like a charm! The second bolt came off in a few minutes and I had the tank free.
The seat came off easily from the floor.
Next up was the vanity. I followed the instructions and started with the vanity top. It came free after I cut through the caulking around the back splashes and worked it off of the vanity. It was pretty heavy because it was one of those vanity tops that had an extra long piece attached to it and extended off of the vanity and over the toilet. It came up without any damage.
The vanity itself took a little more time because it was screwed and caulked to the wall in various places. But after some cutting, unscrewing, and pulling it all came free.
Finally, I tore up the flooring and discovered at least one more layer of vinyl flooring beneath. Apparently, this is a typical practice of laying flooring atop pre-existing flooring. I cut out various sized pieces of flooring and pulled them up by hand. It didn't give up much of a fight.
All that was left was old adhesive and underlayment (I think). According to some family who are also going through their own remodel right now, I might have to use an angle grinder or rent a scraper to get that stuff off. I am also considering cutting through the flooring all the way down to the subfloor and building it back up with new plywood, underlayment, and cement backer board.
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