How to Remove Tile from a Shower
- Isaac Ostrom
- Dec 15
- 7 min read
Hey guys — Isaac here, your Tile Coach.
In this post, we’re taking a step back in time — literally — as we tear out a vintage bathtub and tile surround that dates all the way back to 1960. Yeah, you heard that right. This old bathroom has been around for more than a half century, and it’s still holding up surprisingly well.
But now it’s time to modernize it. We’re turning this classic tub setup into a walk-in shower with a curbless entry, and that means one thing: demo day.
Now, if you’ve ever dealt with old tile, old mortar, and ancient plumbing, you know it’s not quite as simple as grabbing a sledgehammer and going to town. There’s a right way — and a lot of wrong ways — to approach this kind of teardown.
So in this post, I’m going to walk you through:
How to safely remove old tile and mortar walls
What to watch out for with vintage tubs and old plumbing systems
How to spot and repair hidden water damage
And most importantly, how to combine old-school construction methods with modern waterproofing materials for the rebuild.
Let’s get into it.
TLDR: Key Takeaways
Always turn off your water supply before demo — even if the plumbing looks ancient.
Don’t chip away tile one piece at a time — remove full wall sections instead.
Use a buzz tool or oscillating saw with a drywall blade for clean, controlled cuts.
Wear gloves and eye protection — old tile and mortar can slice you like glass.
Expect to find mortar beds and chicken wire behind vintage tile.
Address water damage early — exterior load-bearing walls often hold hidden moisture.
Combine old techniques (like mortar floating) with modern waterproofing (like FloFx membranes) for long-term success.
Use the right drain removal tool if you’re working on vintage tubs.
The Vintage Tub Removal Project
This job takes place in a bathroom that’s basically a time capsule. The original fixtures, including the vintage tub filler, were installed over a hundred years ago. In fact, I joked in the video that you could probably find this same faucet on eBay for a couple of bucks.
That’s part of what makes working on these old bathrooms fun — there’s real craftsmanship and charm, but it also brings challenges you won’t face with modern construction.
The walls in this bathroom had a drywall base, a mortar bed, and tile over top — a setup that was built to last, but it’s heavy and brittle after decades of use.
Safety and Setup
Before you start swinging a hammer, let’s talk safety.
Turn off your water supply. Even if you think those old valves still work, shut them off at the main line. You don’t want a surprise geyser while pulling fixtures.
Grab the basics:
Gloves (seriously — I learned this the hard way)
Safety glasses
Long sleeves
A buzz tool or oscillating saw with a drywall blade
A crowbar for leverage
A mask if you’re working around dust or potential lead paint
Once you’ve got your setup ready, you’re good to start assessing the walls.
Assessing the Wall and Tile System
Now, here’s the key difference when working on old tile systems — don’t just start busting tiles off one by one. That’s a rookie move.
Instead, look for the studs or nail lines so you can remove full sections of drywall and tile at once.
This saves a ton of time and reduces collateral damage. Plus, those mortar beds behind vintage tile are thick and rigid — chipping tiles individually can cause cracks in the surrounding wall or even your studs.
When you find your stud line, make a clean cut with your buzz tool, then pry off the full section in panels. Work slow and let the tool do the cutting — don’t muscle it, or you’ll flex the studs and crack whatever’s behind them.
And yeah, I’ll admit — I got a little too eager on this project and ended up slicing my finger. It was a good reminder that even after 20+ years in this trade, you can’t skip safety.
Lesson learned: Take a second to think about the order of operations before tearing into a wall. Sometimes that 30 seconds of planning saves you 30 minutes of patchwork later.
Tools and Techniques for Demolition
My go-to demo tool for this kind of project is an oscillating saw (buzz tool) fitted with a drywall or carbide blade.
It makes clean cuts, reduces dust, and helps keep the surrounding framing intact. Older mortar beds tend to be brittle, and drywall that’s been baking behind tile for 60 years can literally shatter like glass.
Once the tile and drywall start coming down, the layers underneath will tell you a story — and sometimes that story involves a lot of surprises.
Understanding the Mortar Bed and Water Damage
With the walls open, we can finally see how these old systems were built. This shower had:
A drywall base
A thick mortar bed (about half an inch)
Tile set directly over the mortar
That’s a classic old-school install — strong, solid, and built to last — but not waterproof.
Over time, mortar acts like a sponge, pulling water up from the tub deck and wicking it into the wall cavity. After decades, that moisture can cause serious damage — especially in exterior load-bearing walls like this one.
In this case, we found visible signs of water damage behind the tub where the mortar had wicked moisture up into the studs.
Modern Waterproofing Solutions
This is where I like to combine the old with the new.
When I rebuild a shower like this, I use fiberglass mat gypsum board (which is moisture-resistant) and then waterproof it with FloFx NoFlo membranes.
Here’s my go-to layering method:
Fiberglass Mat waterproof Gypsum board on the walls
FloFX NoFlo sealing strips along all corners and seams
FloFX NoFlo membrane on the pan
That way, if any wicking ever happens, it stops right at the membrane — it can’t rise up the wall and rot the structure.
This combo gives you the durability of a traditional float while adding modern waterproofing protection.
Removing the Vintage Tub
Alright, let’s talk tubs.
Older bathtubs can be surprisingly heavy — they were made with cast iron and thick porcelain. But the real challenge isn’t just the weight — it’s the drain assembly.
Most older tubs have a cross-style drain that requires a special tub drain removal tool. This tool fits inside the drain and locks into the crossbars so you can twist it out cleanly.
It’s worth getting one if you plan on keeping the tub or replacing only the drain assembly. Using the wrong tool can damage the threads or crack the drain flange.
Once the drain is out, disconnect the plumbing and carefully lift the tub. I usually have a helper nearby — you don’t want to muscle this part alone.
We used a simple lift-and-rest method: lift the front edge, set it on blocking, then walk it out from there.
Pro Tips for Vintage Demo Projects
Slow Down at First — Spend time understanding how it was built before tearing in.
Expect Heavy Layers — You’ll probably find mortar, drywall, and maybe even chicken wire.
Protect Adjacent Walls — Old drywall can fracture easily if flexed.
Watch for Rusted Nails and Screws — Replace any corroded fasteners when rebuilding.
Use Modern Waterproofing on the Rebuild — Combine durability and protection.
Keep an Open Mind — Don’t get stuck in “this is how we’ve always done it” thinking. If there’s a better product or process, use it.
Looking Ahead: The Walk-In Shower Conversion
Once we got the tub out, the next step for this project was rebuilding the space into a modern walk-in shower.
This is one of my favorite transformations to do. By removing the old tub, we’re not just updating the look — we’re making the shower more accessible and easier to maintain.
This new shower will include:
A curbless entry for accessibility
Full waterproofing with FloFx membranes
Custom tile design and layout
A modern drain system
Stay tuned — I’ll be covering the waterproofing, tile installation, and finishing details in the next episode of the Grandpa Bath Series.
Lessons Learned from This Demo
Every project teaches you something — especially the old ones.
Here are my big takeaways from this vintage bathroom:
Preparation and Planning Matter
Don’t skip shutting off the water.
Think through your cut lines before you start demo.
Old Construction Teaches Respect
These bathrooms were built to last. Even when they fail, they fail gracefully.
Modern Materials Save Future Hassle
Products like FloFx eliminate the moisture wicking that caused so much of the damage here.
Safety Isn’t Optional
Dry, brittle materials cut like glass. Gloves and goggles are a must.
Adapt and Learn
Be open to blending techniques. Old-school craftsmanship with modern products is the sweet spot.
Final Thoughts
Q1: Can I just tile over old tile?
Not recommended. You need to inspect the substrate for damage. Old mortar and drywall may be compromised.
Q2: What’s the best way to remove a vintage cast-iron tub?
Use a proper tub drain tool, disconnect plumbing, and lift with a helper. Avoid brute force — these tubs are heavy.
Q3: How do I deal with water damage behind the tub?
Replace any rotted studs or drywall. Then use fiberglass mat gypsum board and waterproof membranes like FloFx to rebuild.
Q4: What if I want to keep the vintage look?
You can — just update the waterproofing and hardware behind the scenes. It’s possible to combine old aesthetics with new technology.
Q5: How do I know if my old mortar bed is still solid?
Tap it — if it sounds hollow or crumbles easily, it’s time to replace it.
Final Thoughts
Working on old bathrooms like this one is like opening a time capsule — you never know what you’ll find behind those walls.
The key is to approach it with patience, respect, and curiosity. These vintage builds are tough, but combining modern waterproofing with old-school craftsmanship gives you the best of both worlds: strength, character, and longevity.
This demo was the first step in transforming a 1960 tub surround into a sleek, curbless walk-in shower. We learned a few lessons, had a few laughs (and a minor cut), but that’s what makes the process worth it.
Stay tuned for more demos, where I’ll show you how we rebuild this entire shower system from the studs out — waterproofing, tile setting, and all.
If you have more questions like this or want to share your own shower projects, join the TileCoach community. We’ve got an amazing group of pros and DIYers sharing ideas, photos, and solutions every day.
Until next time — stay safe, stay patient, and keep learning.