We are hoping to begin demo on the master bath this weekend.

[wildeyed]

The surround tile was installed with a thick coat of cement and metal lathe. Looks like a difficult job to get it out. Any hints on how to make the job easier?

[sbj405]

1. I'm in the middle of bath remodel now.

Well, not me, but the guys I hired. It took them 2 days just to demo the 5'X8' bath. Same thing cement and metal mesh stuff. I was surprised by how thick the pieces they took off were. No advice, but good luck!

[Warpy]

2. I'm thinking I'm going to have to move out

while I renovate this place. The bathroom is a blow up job (toss a stick of dynamite and shut the door, nothing's worth saving) and it's the only bath. The (badly) converted garage is another blow up job. The kitchen can be modified, but since my plans call for moving the sink, stove and fridge, that will be another unusable room.

I'm thinking a used trailer will be the best bet while the destruction happens, after which I'll resell it to a relative who's getting sick of apartment living. Or maybe I'll travel. ...Nah.

[wildeyed]

6. We have another full bath upstairs,

so I am not worried about the bathroom being out of commission. I am worried that we will not have time or energy to do the work, but I guess if we really hit the wall, so to speak, I can either hire a contractor, or try to round up a few young strong backs to help out for a few $$$'s.

No guts, no glory, you know?

We are going to see how this project goes, then decide whether we can do the bulk of the work on the kitchen ourselves, or if we need to wait another year to save up some additional money, then hire a contractor to do that job.

[Stinky The Clown]

3. I have no suggestions for temporary living, but for the bath demo .....

Consider renting (or better yet, buying) a jack hammer. They make them in electric. That will make short(er) work of the mud set demo. You might also want to get a Sawzall. That puppy is a demo-person's best friend.

[wildeyed]

5. I am sure my husband would like nothing better than to

purchase a jackhammer :rofl:

He is always up for a new tool. Sounds like dynamite, or better yet, a nuclear bomb would really be the way to go.

[jschurchin]

4. There really isn't a easy way.

You have some work ahead of you. Husb2Sparkly gave some good advice, but if you can't afford a jackhammer use a sledge. Light blows, the cement will break on the lathe and fall off. Be VERY, VERY careful with the metal lathe, long sleeves and good leather gloves, it is SHARP when you demo it and make holes. Believe me I have the scar's to prove it.

Good luck with your project.

John

[wildeyed]

7. Great, all we need is a major bloody wound.

I think we will try to do the demo a little at a time to start, just not to get too traumatized. We will be careful about the sharp stuff.

[Kingshakabobo]

8. Watch the walls on the other side if you use a sledge.

Plaster has a way of falling off the wall when you bang it from the other side.

I just recently got around to re-drywalling my laundry-room because the plaster came apart when I did the demo in my kitchen.

[wildeyed]

9. Noooo!

Ack, I am three inches from calling a contractor. This job sounds like the pits.

[Kingshakabobo]

10. Nah! You can do it.

Take it slow. I would use a hammer and a flat bar. A 2 pound sledge, at the most. Like HUBS said, a sawzall is your friend because you can cut through the lath and pull it down in manageable pieces.

[Stinky The Clown]

12. Eggzakly!

A Sawzall with the right blade will cut through the plaster and the lath. The leftover 'bitch' is that ya then hafta yank each tiny leftover piece of lath from the face of each stud. To be sure, it is easy to do and gentle on the surviving wall, but it can be tedious as hell.

[NMDemDist2]

11. don't you DARE!

you two be careful and keep the kids out of there.....

[NMDemDist2]

13. hey wild, check this out!

http://rebath.com/

[wildeyed]

14. That is hilarious.

My tub area really does look the the "before" in their "design your bath" section. Lots of grungy white tile. I swear I have seen their yard sign, or a least some from a similar type of company, all over my neighborhood.