Plumbing Demolition
Introduction
In By the end of this module, you should be able to describe the following:
Introduction to Plumbing, and
Proper Procedure of Plumbing Demolition. Skip to quiz!
Introduction to Plumbing Demolition
Plumbing demolition is the process of removing plumbing fixtures or the structures surrounding them. A plumber may need to do demolition during the replacement or removal of plumbing fixtures. To be a good plumber, you must know the proper procedure of plumbing demolition.
If a client wants you to demolish plumbing fixtures, you should know the process of demolishing the following fixtures:
Sinks,
Bath Vanities,
Toilets,
Tubs,
Showers, and
Kitchens.
Preparation
Let’s learn how to demolish and replace bathroom and kitchen fixtures properly. First, we’ll learn to prepare for demolition. Make a dumpster available to dispose of the debris generated after the demolition.
To make demolition easy, clean the following items:
Vanity,
Linen closets,
Shower,
Shelves, and
Storage areas.
Remove anything on the wall so they don’t fall off during demolition.
Check the breaker panel and locate the circuit for the bathroom. Turn off the power for the bathroom. You may use the circuit map provided on the panel to identify the bathroom outlet.
If the house is equipped with a manifold system, locate the manifold lines near the main water supply line. Identify the bathroom line, shut off the valve, or use a manifold key to turn the valve to the off position.
If the house is equipped with a copper piping system, turn off the
Sink Valve, which is usually located under the vanity cabinet,
Toilet Valve, which is usually located behind the toilet, and
Find the access panel for the shower water supply, usually located in the wall behind the shower, and turn it off.
Drain all the remaining water inside the pipes by turning on all faucets until the water stops. To drain a toilet, you may flush it and use a sponge or a wet and dry vacuum to remove water from the bowl.
After draining the pipes, you can remove the bathroom/kitchen fixtures. We will learn to remove all the fixtures in the upcoming modules. We’ll learn to remove the sink and bath vanity in the next module.
Plumbing Demolition is the process of removing or destroying the plumbing fixtures.
The proper procedure of demolition is as follows:
Preparation,
Turning off the power,
Turning off the water supply,
Draining the pipes, and
Removing the fixture.
Demolition of Sink and Bath Vanity
By the end of this module, you should be able to describe the following:
Demolishing or removing a Sink, and
Demolishing or removing a Bath Vanity. Skip to quiz!
Preparation
Let’s learn how to demolish and remove a sink properly. First, we’ll learn to prepare for demolition. Place a bucket beneath the sink drain to catch the water from the drain pipe.
Using a wrench, loosen the nuts around the P-Trap below the sink. Remove the P-Trap carefully from the sink. Collect the trapped water in the bucket and dispose of it later. Pro Tip: Now that the sink is disconnected, remember to avoid pouring water down the sink drain. Habits can be hard to break!
Water supply lines are attached to the sink coming through the wall. Disconnect the water supply line. Look for bolts and brackets behind the sink connected to the wall.
Unscrew the bolts and remove the brackets and lift the sink to remove it. Dispose of the sink into the dumpster you have outside the house. Next, Let's learn how to demolish and replace a bath vanity properly.
Removing a Bath Vanity
A Bath Vanity is usually connected to the wall by bolts. Find the bolts and unscrew them. There may be a caulk between the vanity and the wall.
Use a utility knife to cut the caulk between the wall and the vanity. Pull the Vanity out. Dispose of the Vanity into the dumpster you have outside the house.
In some houses, you may observe that the sink is resting on top of the vanity. Unscrew the bolts and remove them. You may now lift the sink upwards to remove it from the vanity.
After removing the sink and vanity, you can dispose of them in the dumpster outside the house. Let’s learn to remove the toilet in the next module.
The proper procedure to demolish a sink is as follows:
Remove the P-Trap,
Unscrew bolts and bracket from the sink,
Disconnect the water supply lines,
Removing the Sink, and
Dispose of the Sink.
The proper procedure to demolish a bath vanity is as follows:
Unscrew bolts from the vanity,
Cut the caulk between the wall and the vanity,
If the sink rests on the vanity, remove the sink, and
Dispose of the sink and vanity.
Demolition of Toilet
By the end of this module, you should be able to describe demolishing or removing a Toilet. Skip to quiz!
Removing a Toilet
Let’s learn how to demolish and remove a toilet properly. First, locate the water supply line behind the toilet. Turn off the water supply line.
Flush the tank to empty it. Using a sponge or portable vacuum, bail out the water from the bowl and tank. Then, disconnect the supply line from the tank and the shut-off valve.
Unscrew the bolts at the bottom of the toilet bowl. Cut through the caulk if present. Carefully lift the toilet from the flange bolt.
Scrape the wax on the floor flange using a putty knife. You will observe the flange at the bottom, which is to be removed. Unscrew the flange and dispose of the toilet into the dumpster you have outside the house.
Stuff rags in the drain opening to prevent the sewer gasses from escaping into the bathroom. To learn removing a toilet in-depth, you may learn it in the fifth module of the “Toilet Troubleshooting and Replacement” course.
In this module, you have learned to demolish the toilet.
Question #1: What is Plumbing Demolition? (Select all that apply)
A procedure to remove living room appliances
A procedure to remove a toilet
A procedure to remove bathroom fixtures
A procedure to remove kitchen fixtures
Scroll down for the answer...
Answer: A procedure to remove a toilet
A procedure to remove bathroom fixture
A procedure to remove kitchen fixtures
Plumbing Demolition is a procedure to remove toilet, bathroom, and kitchen fixtures.
Question #2: Why do you need to make a dumpster available before demolition?
To collect the debris after the demolition
To collect the debris before the demolition
To store new fixtures
All of the above
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Answer: To collect the debris after the demolition
Make a dumpster available before demolition to collect the debris after the demolition.
Question #3: Identify the bathroom fixtures.
Mini-Split System
Toilet
Circuit Breaker
Tub
Scroll down for the answer...
Answer: Toilet
An image of a bathroom and multiple hotspots
Question #4: It is important to have a bucket while removing a sink to collect any water that may drain from the P-Trap to prevent water damage.
TRUE
FALSE
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Answer: TRUE
When removing a sink, it is important to have a bucket on hand to collect any water that may drain out of the P-Trap.
Question #5: What should you do to remove a bath vanity?
Find any bolts connecting the bath vanity to the wall and remove them
Use a utility knife to cut the caulk and pull the vanity out
All of the above
None of the above
Scroll down for the answer...
Answer: All of the above
Before removing a bath vanity,
Find any bolts connecting the bath vanity to the wall and remove them, and
Use a utility knife to cut the caulk and pull the vanity out.
Question #6: After turning off the shut-off valve, what should you do?
Locate the water supply line behind the toilet
Disconnect the supply line from the tank and the shut-off valve
Remove the tank from the bowl
Flush the toilet and bail out the water.
Scroll down for the answer...
Answer: Flush the toilet and bail out the water.
Flush the toilet and bail out the water after turning off the shut-off valve.
Question #7: What should you do to avoid sewer gasses from entering the bathroom?
Add water to the drain
Disconnect the drain below the floor
Stuff rags into the drain
None of the above
Scroll down for the answer...
Answer: Stuff rags into the drain
To prevent sewer gasses from entering the bathroom, stuff rags into the drain.