Demolition in cramped quarters

Demolition isn't turning out at all like those DIY shows (to which I am addicted, by the way). You know the ones... a team comes in and they rip out the bathroom in a few hours. We could probably do that if we had a big house and could block off the area with the bathroom. But we live in an apartment, on the second story, so our demolition is taking a more calculated form.

Today was my day off from work, but not Rob's. I needed to figure out a way to get the most done while no kids were at home, so I grabbed my respirator and got to work pulling down plaster. I came up with this system for moving the demolition debris out. This bin, when filled with crumbled plaster, tile, etc. is just about the most I can dead lift from the ground. So I fill it up, drag it down the long hall (over some towels to help control dust), and bring it out to the front porch.

It's not like I can just throw it off though. Our tiny front yard is completely full of snow right now, and even if it weren't that would be a huge mess. So instead I am using the giant box our new sofa came in. I knew there was a reason we hadn't dragged it to the street yet! Voila! Makeshift dumpster. I drag the debris out and throw it in this box. When we are done we'll get a bagster and put that in the yard, fill it up, and have it hauled away.

In all this destruction, we are saving some of the old blue tile. We still have two bathrooms with it after all, and they are also showing their age. The specialty pieces like bullnose and baseboard are hard to come by, and the field tiles are a non-standard size now. Actually, the dimensions are all different now.

We carefully removed all the accessory pieces (TP holder, soap dish, toothbrush/cup holder, and towel rack ends) and they are in perfect condition. Think there's a market for vintage baby blue ceramic tile on eBay?

Overall, today was productive. All the plaster and lath is off the wall up to shoulder height, except for over the tub. That section is being stubborn so I need Rob to help me. Then we get on ladders and work our way up to the 9 ft. high ceiling.

I can't wait to see what's going on up in there.