Removing terrazzo shower base

[jimhord]

I'm renovating a bathroom (read: stripping down to the studs and starting over) and I want to turn a shower stall into a tub/shower. Unfortunately there is a thick terrazzo base in the shower that will not budge. I'm beginning to think the only way to get this thing out is to sledgehammer it into pieces. Anybody have any alternatives before the blasting begins? Thanks!

[tileguytodd]

A demolition Hammer would actually work much better than the Tool Man Tim Taylor Method
You can rent a small demolition hammer at your local rental center ( Look for a hilti Brand they are the best.)
Put some plastic up on the inside of your doorway and run your cieling fan or open a window.It will help control dust.
Others will be along to add to this I am sure. Good Luck and welcome to the Forum.

[John Bridge]

Hi Jim, Welcome.

You would not be able to lift that bear if you got it out in one piece. Drive somethin under one end at the front to raise the thing a little. Then hit it repeatedly with a very large sledge hammer. It will crack into sections.

There is reinfrocing in the cement which you'll have to sever somehow.

Much less dust and mess than the Minnesota Method.

[tileguytodd]

I Just caint catch a break from that thar Bridge fella

I do have a use for Chicken War though. Think Fish Traps

[jimhord]

Whether by demolition hammer or a good old-fashioned pounding, do I need to worry about cracking the cement slab underneath? I imagine if I'm using the former method, I should just be conscious of not going too deep.

If a natural spring emerges, I guess that would be too far down.

[tileguytodd]

<--agrees,a natural spring would be too much LOL
With johns method,it is imperative to get the thing to come up.I have had some difficulty with this with Terrazzo in the past.Not always,but more often than not.If you can get under it and pry it loose,it will be fast and as close to painless as you can get.If not,a Demo hammer is the way to go.When you begin to break it up,You will know what is too deep.Once you get a corner started,The rest is mundane-chip it out,clean it up haul it out etc etc etc Good Luck and hey get to it will ya the suspense is killin me !!

[John Bridge]

Jim,

You don't have to worry using my method. You'd have to be a mean son of a gun to beat your way through the slab.

Hey Todd,

Weekend warriors don't have a warehouse full of tools, but many of them have sledge hammers.

Jim, P.S. I forgot to tell you about the drain. Plug it before you start making debris.

[jimhord]

Typing's so much easier (and quieter) than slamming away at terrazzo.

Thanks again, and I'll be back with more Q's at the next stage, I'm sure.

[tileguytodd]

I was just resting My elbows on the Keyboard john,Did it actually come out as a reply

Your right of course,but does he have a breaker bar to get under that terrazo ?And,Will it pop free? and,When are you buying Lunch?

[John Bridge]

You hop down here, I'm buying. I don't go anywhere north of Dallas this time of year.

I'll tell you what. I'll meet you in Dallas and we'll make Sonnie do us up some steak and Lobster. Chase it down with some chardonay

[jimhord]

Well, all the advice was right on! A few whacks with my sledgehammer "Miss Bessy" and the terrazzo, she all fell to pieces. Of course I gave myself quite a scare when I busted up the center to find a cavity surrounding the drain. I thought I had broken through the slab. Turns out it was just the drainage whatchamacallit. At least I sure hope that's what it was.

I've got pics if anyone can tell me how to post them to this thread.

Thanks for everyone's help.

[tileguytodd]

Might happen sooner than ya think John,My son and Grndaughter Live in Mckinney just north of Dallas,It would be fun to get together sometime and chew at each others heels in person