How to Remove a Shower Drain

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Open your drain safely, quickly, and without any headaches
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The first step to repairing or replacing a shower drain is often removing it from the shower. If you've never removed a shower drain before, don't fret. You don't have to call a plumber or handyman to get the job done. With the right tools and cleaners, drain removal is simple enough for any household handyman!

How to Undo a Shower Drain

  • For in-ground drains, remove any visible screws if there are any. If there aren’t, use pliers to twist and pull up the cover.
  • For pop-up drains, twist the cover counterclockwise until you feel resistance, and use pliers to pull the drain out.
  • You may need to lubricate the cover and drain with WD-40 or shower lubricant to make the drain easier to remove.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Removing In-Ground Drains

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  1. Some shower drains are attached with screws while others are tightened in without them. If any screws are present, use a screwdriver to loosen each screw. [1]
    • Be careful not to drop any screws down the drain. Set them aside somewhere safe and outside of the shower in case you will be putting the shower drain back in later.
    Rex Cauldwell, Licensed Master Plumber

    Taking out a shower drain is simple, but you have to go about it the right way. First, make sure the shower is completely dry. Then use a screwdriver to take out any screws you see on the drain cover. If caulk or adhesive is sealing the drain, carefully slice through that stuff with a utility knife. Gently jiggle the cover to loosen it up, using pliers if you need to. Once the cover's off, clear away any gunk and check the drain for damage before doing any maintenance or replacing it.

  2. Hold a pair of nose pliers in each hand—you will need two separate sets to remove the drain. Locate the drain openings on opposite sides of the drain, and place the pointed ends of 2 nose pliers in the openings. Carefully twist both handles to the left as you begin loosening the drain. [2]
    • Handle the pliers carefully so that you don't accidentally dent your shower drain.
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  3. When you reach the end of the screwed portion of the shower drain, it can be lifted out of the drain hole. Lifting the drain requires a strong grip and focus, so twist the drain slightly to the right (which should re-tighten it) until you are ready to lift it out. [3]
  4. Lift the drain slowly to avoid denting or otherwise damaging the drain. If you feel any snags or resistance, your drain may be overly-clogged or rusty. [4]
    • Keep your grip consistent as you lift the drain out. Hold the drain too tightly and you may break the cover. You may lose your grip and have to start over if you hold it too loosely.
    • If you know that you plan on discarding the shower drain, you may handle it more roughly.
  5. If your shower is clogged and you had planned on replacing the drain, check it for dirt, rust, or clogged items. In some cases, you may be able to repair the drain. Try unclogging, cleaning, or removing rust from the drain before you discard it. [5]
  6. In some cases, the rust or other damage may be too severe to fix. Contact a plumber or home repair professional to determine what size or brand you will need to replace your old drain and install it in your shower. [6]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Removing Pop-Up Shower Drains

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  1. If you have a push-pop drain, apply pressure to force the drain to pop up. If it’s a manual drain cover, lift it up. Then, twist the entire cover counterclockwise. It should twist by hand, but if it doesn’t, use pliers. [7]
    • Don’t just twist the little knob on the top if you have one. It may come off, but you need to twist the disc underneath the knob.
  2. Keep twisting the drain cover counterclockwise until you feel resistance. Once you do, firmly pull up on the drain to remove it from the shower drain.
    • The pop-up’s stem may come out in one piece, or it may remain in the drain.
    • If the drain doesn’t come out, don’t worry. There’s probably a fastener holding it in place.
  3. Some higher-end drains have a screw connecting the drain cover to the stem underneath so that the two don’t come loose over time. If the drain won’t come up and you feel resistance when you tug up, look directly under the drain for a screw. If you find one, grab a screwdriver and remove the screw to pull the plug out. [8]
    • Most of these drains are designed so the screw doesn’t come out all the way to unlock the drain. However, it’s best to use a screwdriver with a magnetic tip just so you don’t lose the fastener.
  4. Often, the drain stem that collects all the gunk and hair that ends up in the drain will come out with the cover. If it doesn’t though, use a set of pliers to firmly and slowly pull the stem out. [9]
    • If you’ve been struggling with clogs, the hair and gunk around the central stem are very likely to be the primary culprit. Clean this drain stem by hand before reinstalling it with the cap.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Lubricating a Stuck Drain

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  1. An older drain may not readily come out even after it has been unscrewed. Buy a drain or spray lubricant, like WD-40, silicone lubricant, or PTFE. If your drain is rusty, WD-40 is ideal. [10]
    • Do not pour grease or fat down your drain in an attempt to loosen it.
  2. If your drain is significantly clogged, you may want to unclog it as much as you can before removing the drain to prevent it from snagging. Turn on your shower or bathtub head to inspect its draining abilities and, if it appears clogged, try one of the following unclogging methods: [11]
    • Send a handful of baking soda and hot water down the drain.
    • Pour 1 cup (8 oz) of vinegar and hot water down the drain.
    • Use a drain snake to clean out any blockages.
  3. To secure the lubricant on the shower drain, it must be completely dry. Towel-dry the shower drain to catch any drips or puddles before you start. [12]
  4. Apply a generous amount of the shower lubricant on and around the shower drain. Pour some lubricant down the drain as well to reach as much of the drain as possible. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes before further loosening the drain. [13]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do you unclog a shower drain?
    James Schuelke
    Professional Plumber
    James Schuelke, along with his twin brother David, is the co-owner of the Twin Home Experts, a licensed plumbing, leak detection, and mold inspection company based in Los Angeles, California. James has over 32 years of home service and business plumbing experience and has expanded the Twin Home Experts to Phoenix, Arizona and the Pacific Northwest.
    James Schuelke
    Professional Plumber
    Expert Answer
    The best way to unclog a shower drain is to use a wet/dry vacuum. Take the drain cover off the shower and put the vacuum hose right up against the drain. Turn the vacuum on and that will extract all of the organic matter, including hair and soap scum.
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      Tips

      • Try unclogging your shower drain if you plan on replacing it after removal. Sometimes unclogging can make an old shower drain work like new.
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      • If your drain is too rusty to remove or significantly clogged, hire a plumber to remove it for you.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGDYaKPAKNI
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/O4dVNPUGwcQ?t=34
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOwr3ASh730&feature=youtu.be&t=44
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWyBZCj__tk
      5. ↑ https://housingfoundation.dk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/How-to-clean-the-shower-drain.pdf
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/jSo78h0y5gs?t=16
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/VAOGKh-Mi-g?t=18
      8. ↑ https://youtu.be/ebiLvxY7C0I?t=42
      9. ↑ https://youtu.be/VAOGKh-Mi-g?t=42
      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/Vi91AxQjekg?t=65
      2. ↑ https://www.cleaningiscaring.org/wpd/how-to-unclog-a-drain/
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/Vi91AxQjekg?t=140
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/Vi91AxQjekg?t=140

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Before you try to remove a shower drain, wipe it dry with a towel, then spray it with a lubricant like WD-40 or a silicone drain lubricant. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes, then examine the drain for any screws you need to remove and take them out if you find any. Insert 2 nose pliers into the drain openings and grip the plier handles firmly, then twist them both to the left to begin loosening the drain. Continue twisting the drain until it is completely loosened, then lift the drain out of its place. For tips on how to replace or repair the drain, read on!

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