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Whether you’re replacing your drain or just trying to clean it , removing a tub drain is something anyone can handle. Once you figure out the type of drain you have, start by removing the stopper (if there is one). Then, remove the drain basket with a drain wrench. We’ll walk you through this entire process from start to finish.
How to Remove a Tub Drain
Remove the drain stopper first by identifying the type of drain plug. Remove the stopper and use pliers or a drain removal tool to loosen the drain basket up. Lift the drain out by hand and clean away any old plumber’s putty and gunk before installing your new drain.
Steps
Taking Out the Drain Basket
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Try prying the drain basket out with pliers. If you’re lucky, this should be very easy. Grab some needle-nose pliers and grip whatever appears to be the most structurally intact portion of the drain. Gently tug and twist the drain. If you can feel some give, continue increasing pressure until the drain comes free. [7] X Research source
- If you see any screws on the drain, remove those first.
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Use a drain removal tool if you need more force. Go through the various heads that came with a drain removal tool until you find one that fits your drain perfectly. It must slip into the basket and onto the crossbars that are at the bottom of the basket. [8] X Research source
- A drain wrench (also called a smart dumbbell) usually has several heads of different shapes/sizes to fit into a variety of drains.
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Unscrew the drain basket by turning the tool counterclockwise. Grasp your drain wrench and turn it counterclockwise. This may be tough, but keep going. If you need more torque, try placing a strong screwdriver across the drain wrench’s handle so you have a little more to hold on to. Once the basket loosens up, remove it by continuing to turn it counterclockwise. [9] X Research source
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Heat the drain basket with a hair dryer if it still won’t budge. Turn your hair dryer on “hot” or “warm” and let it blow on the drain basket (where the stopper was) for a few minutes. The basket, also known as a flange, is sealed with plumber’s putty. Warming it up will make it easier to remove. [10] X Research source
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Clean off the old seal with soap and water. There will be old plumber’s putty and grime stuck around the drain hole once you remove the basket. Pick this off and throw it away. If the putty is stuck, use a plastic putty knife to loosen it. Once it’s gone, clean the drain with a cloth and a mild bathroom cleanser, soap and water, or a 50/50 mix of vinegar and baking soda. [11] X Research source
- If you use any vinegar to clean the drain, don’t use any commercial cleaning agents, ammonia, or bleach. The combination could create toxic fumes.
Installing a Replacement Drain
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Apply new plumber's putty to the drain by hand. Grab some putty from the container so you have a ball about an inch in diameter. Roll it between your hands until you have a log about 5 to 7 inches (13 to 18 cm) long and pencil-thick. Wrap this around the bottom of the replacement drain's lip. [12] X Research source
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Screw the new drain basket into the drain. Set the basket in the drain hole and turn it clockwise by hand as far as you can. Then tighten it further with the drain wrench. Use a different head than before, if necessary. [13] X Research source
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Install any fasteners that came with your specific drain. Check the drain's instructions for exact details on your drain model. Generally, you will insert the plunger into the drain hole, then reattach it to the trip lever using a setscrew. Finally, screw the drain basket into the drain hole.
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Scrape off the extra putty that squeezes out after installation. As the replacement drain is screwed in, some of the putty will be pushed out. Use your finger or a knife to scrape off this excess. [14] X Research source
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Screw in the new stopper, if the drain has one. Find the hole in the center of the drain basket. Insert the new stopper into this. Turn it clockwise to tighten it. [15] X Research source
- Not all drains will have stoppers, but those that do will simply screw in the drain basket this way.
- If you have a trip lever assembly, you may need to snake the assembly through from the lever to the bottom of the drain.
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Test for leaks. Activate the tub stopper or trip lever, and fill the tub halfway with water. Come back after an hour or so. If the water has not drained much, then your new drain is installed properly.
- You can place a piece of tape on the tub wall at the water line to make it easier to tell if any water drains out. If the water is below the piece of tape after an hour has gone by, then some water has drained out.
- If the tub does leak, check and make sure the new drain is sealed properly.
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References
- ↑ https://todayshomeowner.com/plumbing/guides/how-to-remove-a-sink-stopper/
- ↑ https://todayshomeowner.com/plumbing/guides/how-to-remove-a-sink-stopper/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/VAOGKh-Mi-g?t=19
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-remove-a-tub-drain/#.WkuN54hOnIU
- ↑ https://todayshomeowner.com/plumbing/guides/how-to-remove-a-sink-stopper/
- ↑ https://snapguide.com/guides/replace-a-tub-drain/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/O4dVNPUGwcQ?t=34
- ↑ https://youtu.be/IAwoAzKXhPM?t=16
- ↑ https://youtu.be/IAwoAzKXhPM?t=16
About This Article
To remove a foot plug drain, you'll need to figure out what kind of drain you have and then remove the stopper and the drain basket with a wrench. To start, grasp the center stopper and turn it clockwise while pulling up slightly. After enough turns the stopper should unscrew fully from the drain. To take out a lift-and-turn drain stopper, grasp the stopper and pull up on it. Once you pull the cap off, use a screwdriver to remove the setscrew underneath. If you need to remove the faceplate of a trip lever drain, first set the tub to the “open” position. Then, use a screwdriver to remove any screws that are on the drain’s faceplate. After you’ve removed the screws, lift up on the drain to pull it out. To learn how to remove a drain basket, read on!
