Replace your cast iron tubs for the following reasons: You have no need for a tub and prefer a shower instead. You want to replace it with a soaking, freestanding, or whirlpool bathtub. You have a personal vendetta against it and just want it out. You want a barrier free shower and want to remodel for aging in place.
The things to consider when deciding whether or not to keep a cast iron tub are whether or not there's any rust around the drain. If there is, ditch it because it could eventually start to leak and require that your tile surround be redone.
Made from the most traditional of materials using tried and tested manufacturing methods, cast iron baths are unbeatable for their durability, style and low maintenance.
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 are used for more than just bath time. Clawfoot tubs can be repurposed into planters, couches, chairs and more with a little bit of creativity. Browse an idea board, like Pinterest, to choose a project that speaks to you. "You can create an outdoor flower bed or raised garden.
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.
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. So before you resell your old bathtub, understand the maximum value you have on hand.
Steel & Iron
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 and steel tubs as well as bathroom and kitchen sinks could be leaching lead. Another 40 percent of the tubs with lead were also estimated to have lead dust.
If looked after, the average cast iron tub will last 70 years. Although the initial cost is more expensive due to the price comparison of materials between cast iron and acrylic, these investments save money in the long run as it is likely to be a tub that will never need replacing in your lifetime if cared for.
Reglazing a cast iron bathtub is a systematic process that involves cleaning the tub, repairing any damage, and then applying the refinishing paint. This is typically done in a day and the tub is ready for use again in about 24-48 hours.
They will not crack easily and will keep their look for a lifetime. They are also quite easy to maintain. Cast iron tubs are quite good at keeping the water warm for a long time. They are quite heavy and the weight helps in retaining heat.
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.
While cast iron tubs will show some signs of rusting, they won't typically rust through completely and therefore necessitate replacement. However, sheet metal bathtubs that have rusted through around the drain are ticking time bombs and its only a matter of time before they fail completely.
The long lifespan of cast iron along with the growing demand for second-hand instead of new makes vintage cast iron a common find in the antique market. The value of antique cast iron skillets can start at similar to new prices, but a super rare Wagner or Griswold can fetch up to $1,500 apiece.
It's scrap value is negligible but folks in the know prefer antique cast iron to buying new. Cast iron is made by pouring molten iron into a sand mold. After cooling, the sand is broken away, it's cleaned, de-burred, and coated in oil so it won't oxidize in shipping.
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 Tub Removal Cost. To remove a standard cast iron tub, you can expect to pay anywhere from $255-$395. Based on where the tub is location in the home or on the property, your cost could be more.
Local junk collection professionals are capable of helping remove trash from your home, even bathtubs and toilets. Thus, you may contact junk collection crews all around the country who are available for junk collection services, including the removal of bathtubs.
Have a friend help you pull the heavy cast iron tub away from wall and set it on plywood. Plug the exposed drain pipe with a wadded rag to keep sewer gas out of your home. Cover the old tub with a blanket and smash into manageable pieces with a sledgehammer.
In a study involving over 1400 bathtubs, approximately 62% of the tubs tested positive for leachable lead with lead check swabs (77% of the cast iron bathtubs and 25% of the steel tubs were positive. 100% of the clawfoot bathtubs we tested had extremely high levels of lead leaching from the surface.)
The cast iron tub refinishing procedure also known as cast iron tub reglazing, not only is a viable alternative to replacement when the tub is old, stained, damaged, or simply doesn't look good anymore but has become the number one choice for contractors nowadays when they are hired by a homeowner to remodel a bathroom ...