Breaking a cast iron tub is labor intensive, but it's often the most efficient method of removal if you don't need to preserve the tub. Start by scoring the cast iron with an angle grinder. This will allow you to control the pieces that break off. Strike the apron of the tub with a sledgehammer and then the sides.
Will a cast iron tub break? Yes, but not accidentally. The risk of you actually breaking or shattering a cast iron tub while moving it is extremely low. In order to break the tub you would have to drop it from a relatively high elevation onto a hard surface like concrete.
Need to remove a cast iron tub?! Break it with a sledge hammer! Try hitting the corners first because they are the weakest spots!
If you have a cast iron sink or tub, it may very well be worth scrapping, especially if you can't find some way of selling it to someone else. While you can find ways to repurpose a cast iron sink or tub, you may also need to get rid of it from your home.
Cast iron tubs will weigh anywhere from 350 to 500 lb depending on the size. This is the weight of an empty tub, when full cast iron tubs can hold anywhere from 32 gallons to 80 gallons of water. Now take into account that a gallon of water weighs a little over 8 lbs.
Please note that there are several differences when cutting out a cast-iron tub compared to a fiberglass or steel tub. The side-grinder with a 4.5” diamond blade is the only tool used when cutting a cast-iron tub.
Research the value of materials
For example, clawfoot and cast iron tubs are great sources of scrap metal and companies will potentially pay you more for your bathtub depending on the materials you have on hand.
What is the range of iron scrap prices? Today, iron prices sit in a range trending around $. 04 per pound or $92 per ton.
Cast Iron – $0.02-0.35 per lb. Whole Cars – $0.02-0.03 per lb. Motorcycles – $0.03-0.45 per lb.
Cast Iron. The way to determine if your bathtub is cast iron tub is that a reasonably strong magnet will stick to it. If the side of your tub is accessible, give it a little push.
Compared to the acrylic bathtub, it can cost you two times of standard bathtub cost. But this can be considered as a good investment since cast iron tubs offer great durability and last longer.
With proper care, your cast iron bathtub will last for decades, often 70 years or more. They are notorious for requiring less maintenance than an acrylic bathtub, which makes cast iron the perfect choice for a bustling bathroom.
Grab a Magnet
If it sticks, then your tub is made of steel or cast iron. Unlike metal, acrylic and fiberglass bathtubs are not magnetic.
Ferrous metals, such as steel and cast iron, generally fetch lower prices at the scrapyard due to iron being so common and difficult to refine. Non-ferrous metals, on the other hand, are less common, more malleable and greatly resistant to corrosion.
Then some alchemist of their time figured out how to smelt iron from common iron ore, like hematite and magnetite. When supply boomed, the price plummeted. Iron eventually became the least expensive metal on Earth. That's because iron, as found in ores, is our most plentiful element by mass.
Use an angle grinder with a diamond blade to cut past the enamel and into the cast iron itself. The dual aim: Less sledgehammer force, and more control over where the tub breaks. Swing that hammer: With your PPE on and prep work done, start beating on the tub.
Try contacting your city's water conservation facility or recycling center to inquire about porcelain recycling programs in your area. If you don't have the tools or ability to haul your old tub to a recycling facility, contact a nationwide junk hauler like LoadUp.
No problem. Cast iron is totally recyclable. Since iron is the main component of steel, you should refrain from throwing it away. Your used cast iron appliances can be melted down and crafted into something brand new, and you can even get money for it!
Cast iron isn't really worth much as scrap, maybe $100 per metric ton, or about two to four cents per pound.
Condition. When considering the value of vintage iron, the condition is key. Mint, like-new condition is ideal and is the most valuable. Rusted pans may be less valuable, but they can still be restored to their former glory and retain some value.
Acrylic and cast iron are two of the most popular bathtub materials for home renovators — and for good reason. Both have durable qualities that are designed to last and look new after long-term use.