Removing your bathroom: how to convert a bathroom

Think the downstairs bathroom would work better as a study or bedroom? Removing a bathroom is an option, but what's involved? Let's look at how to remove a bathroom and convert the space into another room before the first tile is smashed!

Removing a bathroom to convert it to another type of room doesn't have to be a headache if professionals are involved. As Shannon Nicholson from St Ives Bathroom Renovations points out, demolishing a bathroom requires a team approach.

If the bathroom is being converted into a bedroom, Shannon says the first step is to strip out the room completely – including wall and floor tiles. A plumber will then come in and remove the hot and cold pipes; that is, he or she will turn off the water main before cutting and capping the pipes.

It is then the job of an electrician to remove any electricals – such as the ceiling fan and recess lights. "Nine times out of 10 you will use the lights again, but an exhaust fan is completely unwanted in a bedroom," Shannon says. "What you are left with then is a bare frame, so you'll need to repair the wall linings and paint the room."

In a nutshell, converting a bathroom into another room is a case of stripping, deleting surfaces, relining/repairing and painting.

If the bathroom is being converted into a kitchen or another bathroom, the process is basically the same – but instead of the plumber deleting the hot and cold pipes, they redirect them to where they're needed for the sink and dishwasher. This is called the 'rough-in' stage.

The same 'rough-in' stage applies with the electrician. They will often need to relocate electrical points around the room, depending on what the owner has planned for the renovated room. New wires may need to be run to service the oven, for example, because of different voltages.

When removing a bathroom, it's important to note that if you want to keep the vanity and basin, use a hammer and prybar to separate them from the countertop once the plumbing has been disconnected. A jack hammer is ideal for removing tiles.

According to Shannon, removing a bathroom can take from one to two days to complete. "I have come across a lot of retired men who think they can convert a bathroom themselves, but find themselves running into all sorts of problems once they start," he says.

"They may have tried to remove wall tiling but have busted some bricks in the process, or cut through the piping accidentally. It simply comes down to a lack of experience, which is why you should bring in professionals."

If you're considering removing a bathroom in your home, the first step is to contact a plumber in your area: