how to remove bathtub drain

If you are using locking pliers, make sure the pliers are small enough to reach into the drain yet sturdy enough to withstand you turning it. This drain stopper opens by turning it clockwise while pulling up slightly on the knob and closes by turning it counterclockwise. If your bathtub’s draining slowly, there may be a build-up of hair, soap and other gunk clogging the drain. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. It is usually screwed into a threaded section of the drain opening. Next we will cover how to replace a bathtub drain. The faceplate will be on the tub wall near the faucet, not on the bottom of the tub with the drain. How to Remove a Push-Pull Drain Stopper: Set the drain to its open position. There will likely still be plumber’s putty on the drain and on the edges of the drain hole at the base of the tub. Remove Soap Scum or Hair from Drain Use a small scrub brush to remove soap scum or hair inside the drain opening. Be careful not to scald yourself when pouring the boiling water. Not all drains will have stoppers, but those that do will simply screw in the drain basket this way. You will need most likely a flathead here to get the screws out, or use the winding technique above to remove the stopper easily. Clogged bathroom drains can be inconvenient, gross, and even harmful to your plumbing system. Test for Leaks Pull the faceplate free and the rest of the drain stopper’s connected hardware should follow. Removing rust from a steel bathtub is straightforward and convenient. Replace the Bathtub Drain A bathtub drain acting up and becoming clogged or leaking is among the peskiest (and most common) plumbing problems to be encountered in any home. Set the tip of the screwdriver underneath the lip of the loosened drain if you need some leverage as you pull it out. If the drain is really old, sometimes even a drain extractor isn’t enough; you’ll first have to knock it loose using an old chisel to bite into the metal (Photo 3). Next, use your household cleaner to wipe off any rust or gunk. If you're trying to clean your bathtub drain of clogged hair and your drain is covered by a tub drain stopper, you're probably getting frustrated. To start, grasp the center stopper and turn it clockwise while pulling up slightly. Place the tub drain stopper in the "open" position. If you are using a drain wrench, insert the drain wrench into the drain and turn it counterclockwise to unscrew the drain basket. References. After enough turns, the drain stopper should be unscrewed and come free from the drain opening. B How to Remove a Bathtub Drain Stopper. Clean the tailpiece threads with a toothbrush. A drain wrench (also called a smart dumbbell) usually has several heads of different shapes/sizes to fit into a variety of drains. Use a wire brush or steel wool to rigorously scrape the rust away from the shower drain. Lift up on the drain stopper’s knob and turn it counterclockwise. With the stopper in the open position, simply grasp the plug by hand and pull upwards with a wiggling motion to remove it from the drain opening. ", Step 2: Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Keep turning until the flange comes loose and you can remove it. Tired of feeling trapped by your finances? You operate this drain stopper by using a trip lever that is installed on the overflow drain on the side of the tub, just below the faucet. If water is collecting at your feet when you shower, then you likely have a drain blockage. Removing a bathtub drain is a straightforward beginner task, especially once you identify the type of tub drain and stopper you have. Unscrew the shaft cylinder, which is the part of the drain stopper that fits into the drain opening. Soften the putty with a hairdryer first to make the drain basket easier to remove. To remove the drain basket, you will need either locking pliers or a tub drain wrench. You will pull the entire drain stopper out through the overflow drain. A lift-and-turn drain stopper or twist-and-pull drain stopper appears similar to a push-pull drain stopper, since both types have small knobs on the top. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. Be patient when removing and replacing a bathtub drain. Bathtub drains usually have a long, deep thread that may take some time to unscrew. ", Step 9: We use cookies to make wikiHow great. In this short guide, we will briefly explain the basics of how to unclog the bathtub, how to replace tub drain assembly (if need be), how to recognize more complex bathtub drain plumbing issues and so on. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. If the fill level has dropped below the tape marker, you have a leak and should check to ensure that the new drain is properly installed and sealed. Allow the plumber’s putty time to adhere, as recommended by the manufacturer. There are plenty of reasons why you may end up needing to remove a bathtub drain. ", Step 7: Tub drains are stubborn, often due to corrosion, gunk, or hardened plumber's putty. To remove a drain flange, it‘s best to use a drain removal tool. ). If the water is below the piece of tape after an hour has gone by, then some water has drained out. This stopper is convenient and easy to install, although the spring may need to be replaced with age and frequent use. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 89,182 times. Once you have identified the type of drain stopper, you can learn how to remove a bathtub drain by following the specific directions below for your type of drain: How to Remove a Lift-And-Turn Drain Stopper: How to Remove a Trip-Lever Drain Stopper: Once you have removed it, set the drain stopper aside and clean away any remaining grime or debris with a scrub brush. Removing Different Types of Drain Stoppers, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0e\/Remove-a-Drain-from-a-Tub-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-a-Drain-from-a-Tub-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0e\/Remove-a-Drain-from-a-Tub-Step-1.jpg\/aid9641285-v4-728px-Remove-a-Drain-from-a-Tub-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"