Whether you need to deep clean your drain, replace your drain completely, or remove your shower, it's helpful to know how to remove a bathtub drain. While it may seem difficult at first, removing a bathtub drain stopper is a simple matter once you identify the type of drain and stopper.
There are many different types of bathtub drain stoppers. Removing a bathtub drain starts with identifying the type of drain stopper so you can use the correct removal method. Here's a list of the most common types of bathtub stoppers, followed by instructions on how to remove each one. This article may help you if you're trying to clear a hard-to-remove clog, need to replace an old cover with a new one, or are just ready for a full cleaning to remove built-up grime.
Indeed, any type of bathtub drain can be removed. But be aware that if the drain is old or you can't easily identify the type of stopper, it's recommended that you hire a professional plumbing service.
Identify the Type of Stopper
First, you need to identify the type of tub stopper you have. There are many types of drain stoppers, including lift-and-turn, push-pull, toe-touch, flip-it, trip-lever, and pop-up. While many models of drain stoppers have similar removal methods, it's best to know the specific removal method for the drain stopper installed in your tub or sink to avoid damaging the drain stopper and surrounding plumbing.
Tools Needed for Bathtub Drain Removal
Before you begin removing a bathtub drain, it’s important to gather all the necessary tools and materials. Here’s a list of the essentials you’ll need:
Pliers: Needle-nose pliers are great for grabbing small parts, while slide pliers provide more grip for stubborn parts.
Screwdriver: A flat-head screwdriver is essential for removing screws and prying off certain parts of the drain assembly.
Adjustable Wrench: For gripping and turning larger nuts and bolts.
Drain Wrench or Drain Removal Tool: A tool specifically designed to accommodate a variety of drain sizes that helps you grip and turn the drain to remove it with ease.
Plumber’s Putty: When you’re ready to replace the drain assembly with a new one, a roll of this putty is very useful for sealing it.
Bucket and Towel: Keep them nearby at all times to catch any water that may leak out during the removal process.
Safety Gear: Protective gloves and goggles should always be worn while working to prevent injury.
Hair Uncloggers or Drain Cleaning Tools: These tools are great for removing hair or debris that may be clogging the drain.
How to Remove a Toe-Touch Drain Stopper
A toe-touch drain stopper is spring-loaded and consists of a drain assembly inside the drain pipe and a toe-touch mechanism that opens and closes by simply pressing down on the drain stopper with your toe. This type of drain stopper is usually rounded and has a flat cover that may be completely smooth or may have the word "push" engraved on it. This type of stopper is easy and simple to install. However, with age and frequent use, the spring may need to be replaced.
Opening the Drain Stopper
If the toe-touch drain stopper is not currently in the open position, push down to open it. Trying to remove the drain stopper when it is in the closed position usually does not work, and there is a high chance that the drain cover will be scratched in the process.
Unscrewing the Drain Stopper Cover
Open the drain cover, grasp it firmly, unscrew it to the right (counterclockwise), and apply a small amount of vertical force to unscrew the cover to remove the fastening screw.
Unscrewing the Fastening Screw
Use a screwdriver or pliers to unscrew the fastening screw on the drain crossbar and remove the drain stopper from the drain pipe.
Inspect, Clean or Replace
Now you can inspect the drain stopper for any damage, such as a bent stopper, rusted fastening screws, or a cracked cap. Replace the drain stopper if there is any visible damage, but if the stopper is in good condition, use a bathroom cleaner to remove dirt, hair, grime, and other debris from the drain and stopper. Reinstall the drain stopper when the drain and stopper are free of hair, soap scum, and other obstructions.
Tips
Before reinstalling the stopper, make sure all obstructions have been removed. An unclogger is one of the best ways to clear drain problems. Other methods include using a plunger, a baking soda and vinegar mixture, or a commercial drain cleaner.
How to Remove a Lift-Turn Drain Stopper
Lift-and-turn drain stoppers can usually be identified by the small threaded knob on the top of the stopper. This style of drain stopper is similar to a push-and-pull stopper in that both types of drain stoppers have a small knob on the top, the difference being that the knob on a push-and-pull stopper is fixed and the user can push the stopper down or pull it up. The knob on a lift-and-turn drain stopper can be turned left or right. Generally, turning the knob to the left (clockwise) will close the drain, while turning it to the right (counterclockwise) and lifting it will open the drain, but this can vary between products.
Removing the Drain Stopper Knob
Turning the knob on the top of the drain stopper to the left (counterclockwise) will usually open the drain. Continue turning the knob in the same direction until it is completely loosened from the bolt in the center of the drain stopper.
Some knobs cannot be removed from the drain stopper cover, so the entire cover needs to be turned to access the drain stopper bolt. Keep in mind that while most products have a threaded connection to the bolt, other drain stoppers use a simple twist lock to hold the drain stopper in place. If you come across one of these products, simply rotate the drain stopper cover until it aligns properly and then pull the cover up to remove it.
Unscrewing the Drain Stopper Bolt
Use a screwdriver or pliers to loosen the drain stopper bolt from the threaded hole in the middle of the drain crossbar. The entire stopper will come out of the drain.
Inspect, Clean, or Replace
Once the drain stopper is removed from the drain, you can inspect it for any signs of damage, such as a torn stopper, rusted threads, or a cracked cap. If there is any visible damage, it is recommended to replace the drain stopper. However, before reinstalling the drain stopper, use this chance to clean the drain and stopper with a bathroom cleaner and get rid of any hair, soap scum, or other debris if the stopper is functioning correctly.
How to Remove a Push-Pull Drain Stopper
As mentioned above, push-pull drain stoppers are very similar to lift-and-turn drain stoppers in function and appearance, but the knob on the top of a push-pull drain stopper is usually wider and smoother than the knob on a lift-and-turn drain stopper. Push-pull drain stoppers are easy to identify because their operating mechanism is very simple. Simply push the stopper down to close the drain and pull the knob up to open the drain.
Unscrewing the Drain Stopper Knob
The knob on a push-pull drain stopper is usually attached to the stopper cover, but in some cases, the knob is a separate part. If your drain stopper knob is a separate part, it should be removed from the stopper to access the fastening bolt.
Firmly grasp the drain stopper knob and turn it to the left (clockwise) to unscrew it from the stopper cover and expose the fastening bolt.
Remove the Drain Stopper
If the push-pull drain stopper has a separate stopper knob and cover, the bolt should now be exposed. Use a screwdriver or pliers to unscrew the bolt from the drain rail and remove the stopper from the drain.
However, most push-pull drain stoppers have a solid body instead of a separate cover and knob. The entire body is secured to the threaded hole in the center of the drain rail with a tightening bolt, which makes it easier to install and remove. Turn the drain stopper to the right (counterclockwise), unscrew the bolt from the rail, and lift the drain stopper.
Inspect, Clean, or Replace
Properly inspect the drain stopper for damage by removing any loose hair and debris. Look for obvious signs of tearing, rust, or severe wear, and replace the drain stopper if necessary.
For drain stoppers in good condition, use a bathroom cleaner to quickly wipe off any soap scum or dirt that has accumulated on the drain or stopper, then reinstall the stopper.
How to Remove a Trip-Lever Drain Stopper
Not all drain stoppers have an easily removable assembly like a flip-it stopper, and a trip-lever drain stopper is one such product. These drain stoppers have a lever that sits on the overflow panel. This lever is connected to a rod assembly that runs vertically through the overflow drain and operates a plunger. By triggering the lever, or sometimes by rotating the lever, the plunger will move up and down.
When the plunger is up, water flows into the drain system, but when the plunger is down, it creates a seal inside the drain to stop the flow of water. Due to the complex assembly, these drain stoppers are prone to clogging, and removal and replacement can be cumbersome.
Opening the Drain
If the lever is not already in the open position, flip or rotate it to fully open the drain. Attempting to remove the trip-lever drain stopper while it is in the closed position may cause it to get stuck.
Removing the Overflow Grate
Use a screwdriver to loosen the screws on the overflow grate and remove the grate from the tub or sink to gain access to the trip-lever drain stopper assembly. Make sure to put the screws in a safe place for reinstallation.
Pull Out the Trip-Lever Drain Stopper Assembly
Carefully lift the flip-it drain stopper assembly out of the overflow drain. The entire assembly, including the triple rod, rod, and plunger, must be pulled out without damaging any parts, so you may need to spray lubricant on the assembly to free a stuck plunger.
Inspect, Clean, or Replace
Once the entire assembly is removed from the overflow pipe, you can inspect each component for signs of excessive wear or damage, such as rust, cracks, or irregularities. Replace any parts that show signs of damage to avoid future problems, such as removing the overflow drain to access a damaged plunger.
How to Remove a Flip-It Drain Stopper
A flip-it drain stopper is a stopper that uses a flip lever to expand or contract a gasket located inside the drain. When the flip lever is in the open position, the gasket contracts, allowing water to flow into the drain, but when the flip lever is in the closed position, the gasket is squeezed, expanding to fill the drain and create a seal in the bathtub or sink. These drain stoppers are held in place only by an O-ring inside the drain at the base of the unit, making them relatively simple to remove.
Flip-it drain stoppers have a switch on top that opens and closes the drain. There is an O-ring inside the flip-it drain that helps create a secure seal. O-rings wear out over time and need to be replaced. Flip-it drain stoppers are easy to install as long as there is no screen plate above the drain.
Opening and Removing a Drain Stopper
This simple drain stopper does not require any tools. The flip lever opens the drain, then firmly grasp the flip-it drain stopper lever. Twist firmly and pull the entire assembly up and out of the drain.
Inspect, Clean, or Replace
Make sure the drain and stopper are free of debris, such as hair, soap scum, toothpaste, and dirt, and then take a moment to check for signs of excessive wear or damage. Check the gaskets and O-rings for wear, deformation, or cracks, and check the drain stopper for cracks, chips, or rust. If the flip-up drain stoppers need to be replaced, clean the drain and stopper with a bathroom cleaner and reinstall it if it is in good condition.
How to Remove a Pop-Up Drain Stopper
Similar to a trip-lever drain stopper, a pop-up drain stopper also has a complex assembly that passes through the overflow drain. These drain stoppers also have a lever on the overflow panel that is connected to a lever assembly that passes vertically through the overflow drain. However, the lever assembly is attached to a spring on top of a horizontal rocker arm rather than a plunger. The rocker arm regulates the pop-up stopper's movement by passing through the sink or bathtub drain. The spring is squeezed when the lever is open, which pushes the rocker arm downward and causes the stopper to pop out. When the spring is in the closed position, the rocker arm can rotate upward, pulling the stopper down and shutting the drain. Because of the intricate rocker arm and lever assembly, pop-up drain stoppers are prone to clogging.
Opening the Drain
Flip the lever on the overflow panel so that the stopper pops out in the open position. This allows easy access to the stopper and drain when removing the rocker arm assembly.
Removing the Drain Stopper and Rocker Arm
Use your hands or pliers to squeeze the sides of the drain stopper and pull it vertically up and out of the drain. Be careful not to use too much force, as you will need to pull the stopper and the rocker arm at the same time.
Unscrew the Overflow Panel
Use a screwdriver to remove the screws on the overflow panel and make sure to keep them in a safe place for reinstallation. Remove the overflow panel to access the lever and rod assembly.
Remove the Rod Assembly
Carefully pull the rod assembly out of the overflow drain, making sure each component, including the lever, rod, and spring, pulls out without breaking. If the assembly is stuck, try using a lubricant to loosen the spring and rod.
Inspect, Clean, or Replace
To prevent future issues, check all parts of the pop-up drain stopper, including the stopper, rocker arm, spring, rod, and wrench; if the stopper is in good condition, use a bathroom cleaner to clean the drain and stopper to get rid of hair, soap scum, dirt, grime, and other debris; if any part of the stopper exhibits excessive wear or damage, such as rust, cracking, or warping, it should be replaced before reinstallation.
Reinstalling the rocker arm involves first putting it into the drain. The stopper can be inserted into the drain opening after pushing it through the drain.
Rocker arm in place, insert spring and rod assembly into overflow drain. In the proper position, the spring should make contact with the rocker arm and cause the stopper to pop out. Next, test the drain stopper with the lever to ensure it is functioning correctly, and fasten the overflow panel with the screws you placed aside.
How to Maintain and Care for Your Drain
After removing and replacing your bathtub drain, it's critical to implement maintenance and care measures to extend the life of your new drain. Here are some tips to help you keep your bathtub drain in good shape:
Regular Cleaning: Clean your drain regularly to prevent soap scum, hair, and other debris from building up. Use a mild detergent or a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to break down and clear any clogs.
Rinse with Hot Water: Once a week, flush your drain with hot water to help remove any built-up grease or soap residue. Hot water can help prevent clogs and keep the drain flowing.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Do not use harsh chemical drain cleaners, as they can damage pipes and drain components. Opt for natural cleaning solutions or enzyme cleaners, which are gentler on pipes.
Hair Traps: Install a hair trap or drain filter to prevent hair and large debris from entering your drain. This simple device can greatly reduce the likelihood of clogs.