Hi,

I'm remodeling my master bath and have it down to the studs except for a huge tub and a mortar shower pan. The shower pan is about 500 pounds and removing it is proving to be an issue. I figured I could drill it in places with a carbon tipped drill bit then smash it with sledge hammer breaking it into pieces for easier removal. This is proving to be way too time consuming as the pan is 6" thick.

Are there any ideas on how to better attack this issue?

Thanks in advance,
- Chris

So this is a custom mud shower pan built in place, right? Its not 6" thick but may look that way. No drilling needed but a 16 lbs. sledge hammer is going to come in handy. Smash at the door opening until a chuck breaks free, this will allow the remaining part of the pan to smash apart eaier than the first piece. Hit sideways to knock off the curb of the pan and then use a hefty pry bar to lift the floor. Once the floor start to come up you than then leave your pry bar under the pan and hit downward with the sledge.

Only thing I would add to Bob's answer is that once you remove the concrete you will want to cut a 6 inch hole around the drain/pan with a sawzall so you can remove the shower pan completely.

Then you can decide how to remove the drain... or re-use the drain... ;)

Good luck...

MARK