Bathroom Remodel: A Complete Gut Job and Chimney Removal

The Curbly House Bathroom: From Functional to Fantastic

Our bathroom, while functional and adequately sized, was ripe for a refresh. We initially planned for a minor facelift – fixture updates, new tile, and a fresh coat of paint. However, the moment we peeled back the layers of the first-floor ceilings beneath the bathroom, we uncovered a hidden problem that spiraled into a complete gut renovation. Prepare yourself for a visual journey, complete with a rather revealing (and perhaps slightly unnerving) video documenting the process.

Remodeling, much like surgery, should ideally involve the fewest interventions necessary. The reality, however, often unfolds differently. As you begin to expose the underlying structure, unforeseen issues emerge, necessitating further intervention. This was precisely our experience.

The Discovery: A Plumbing Nightmare

Our initial motivation for dismantling the first-floor ceilings was the unsightly foam tiles and deteriorating plaster. The real shock came when we inspected the space beneath the bathroom. A section of the toilet drain was severely corroded, riddled with a gaping hole – approximately four inches by two inches – directly in the waste pipe. This wasn’t just a minor leak; it was a significant plumbing failure waiting to cause serious damage.

To clarify: a hole in your toilet drainpipe is unequivocally a bad situation.

The Domino Effect: A Full Bathroom Gut

This discovery forced our hand. We knew we needed to completely replumb the bathroom. This meant ripping up the existing floors to gain access to the plumbing, and re-engineering the joists beneath the bathroom to accommodate the new pipes within the floor structure, rather than the previous, elevated configuration.

Furthermore, the scope expanded to include running a new main waste stack to the basement and installing new venting through the roof. The project had officially escalated to a complete gut renovation.

Demolition Begins: Out with the Old

I began the demolition process by removing the medicine cabinet, toilet, and vanity. Next came the trim, plaster, and lathe, revealing the bare bones of the bathroom.

During the demolition, we discovered a rather elaborate squirrel nest nestled within the walls above the bathtub. While unexpected, it was hardly surprising given the age and condition of the house.

The Bathtub Saga: A Herculean Task

Next on the removal list was the bathtub: a massive, cast-iron behemoth that we estimated weighed around 600 pounds. While we appreciated its curved edge, the necessity of relocating the drain to the opposite side of the bathroom eliminated any possibility of salvaging the original tub.

The sheer weight and size of the tub made moving it down the stairs an impossibility. The only viable option was to remove it through the bathroom window. After considerable deliberation and some admittedly rudimentary planning, we devised a system involving a heavy-duty strap looped around the chimney for leverage.

We carefully removed the bathroom window (which was slated for replacement anyway), secured the strap around the tub, and gingerly began pushing it outwards, all while ensuring the safety of any passersby below.

Remarkably, the plan worked flawlessly. The friction between the strap and the chimney allowed for controlled and relatively easy lowering of the tub. I was able to manage the descent with one hand, preventing any uncontrolled movements and making incremental adjustments as needed.

The entire operation took approximately three hours, but ultimately, we successfully removed the bathtub with minimal collateral damage.

The Chimney Challenge: Opening Up the Space

The next major obstacle was the chimney. It ran directly through a corner of the bathroom, encased in a thick layer of padding, consuming a significant portion of the available space. This was a major factor contributing to the cramped feeling of the bathroom, and our contractor, Bill Herschbach, strongly advocated for its removal.

Initially, I was hesitant. However, upon closer inspection of the chimney’s condition above the roofline, I realized the extent of the deterioration in the bricks and mortar. The decision became clear: either remove the chimney now, creating significantly more space in the bathroom, or face substantial repair costs down the line. Given that Alicia and I rarely used the fireplace, it was an easy choice. We opted to remove the chimney, leaving the fireplace intact so we could install a gas-burning insert at a later date.

Fortunately, demolishing an old chimney is a relatively straightforward process (albeit a dusty and dirty one, given the century’s worth of accumulated soot). I donned a climbing harness and rope, ascended to the roof, and began removing the bricks from the top down. My dad even joined in on the action, eager to lend a hand.

Working together, we systematically removed the bricks and mortar, tossing them down to the ground below. It took myself, my dad, and Bill approximately five hours to dismantle the chimney down to the level of the bathroom floor.

The Result: A Blank Canvas

With the chimney gone, we now have significantly more usable space in the bathroom. We plan to utilize the former chimney space as a mechanical chase for plumbing and ventilation systems, maximizing the efficiency and functionality of the redesigned bathroom.