If the water still drains too slowly, move on to a stronger drain cleaner (one that specifies that it’s suitable for tubs) or turn to a tried-and-true DIY drain cleaner that uses materials you already have on hand. If you plan to reuse the existing drain stopper and drain basket, clean those pieces as well. Tip: If the flange is stuck, use a hair dryer to heat it up and loosen the putty, then try again. In more modern times, plastics have replaced this tried and true system. You must be skilled enough to remove the overflow plate, and it has been a bit more difficult for me than with the shower drain’s grate. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Now, fill the tub with an inch or so of water and watch it drain. If the drain looks to be in good shape, it’s probably fine to proceed. Some of the old seal may remain, so remove any residue with a plastic putty knife. Insert a drain key into the bathtub drain basket. Rotate the key counter clockwise with a screw driver through the body of the key. The spring will pop out of the overflow tube as you pull it up, but the stopper, which is a cylindrical piece of brass or bronze, may hang up at the entrance to the pipe. Install the new drain. The best rule of thumb when you’re tackling any new plumbing job is to proceed with an abundance of caution and remember that if complications arise, a professional plumber is just a quick phone call away. Once the flange is carefully threaded into the first few threads of the drain elbow, use the Smart Dumbell to hand-tighten the flange into the drain elbow until tight. The removal process isn’t particularly difficult or time-consuming, taking anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of hours from start to finish, depending on the type of drain you’re dealing with. Repeat as necessary until the tub empties at a reasonable rate, then proceed to reinstall or replace the part(s) you’ve removed. Before you disassemble your tub drain, it’s important to note its condition. One side is bigger than the other so it fits several sizes. Now, fill the tub with approximately one inch of water and watch it drain. This photo about: Bathtub Drain Stopper Tips Replacing, entitled as Plumbing Remove Old Toe Touch Bathtub Drain Stopper With No Inside Bathtub Drain Stopper Bathtub Drain Stopper Tips Replacing - also describes and labeled as: Bathtub Drain Stopper Leaks,Bathtub Drain Stopper Repair,Bathtub Drain Stopper Replacement,Bathtub Drain Stopper Stuck,Bathtub Drain Stopper Types, with … Removing a trip lever tub drain stopper how to remove a bathtub drain stopper how to remove a drain from tub 13 replacing tub drain no crossbars remove a bathtub drain crosspiece How To Remove A Bathtub Drain StopperHow To Remove A Bathtub Drain Stopper6 Easy S To Remove A Bathtub DrainHow To Convert Bathtub… Read More » When that happens, you’ll probably need to remove the drain for inspection, followed by either a careful cleaning or a complete replacement. The old tub drain stopper body can also be cut out with a reciprocating saw and metal blade, but be very careful because it’s easy to cut into and damage the bathtub. Dry the bathtub before you begin. MATERIALS AND TOOLS Available on Amazon – Rubber gloves – Screwdriver – Wrench – Drain key or smart dumbbell (if removing the entire drain, including the flange) – Blow dryer (optional) – Vinegar and baking soda, or mild cleanser (optional). Remove Soap Scum or Hair from Stopper Pull them out and lay them off to the side. We have been in the same old house for 45 years. Not being terribly skilled at plumbing I am now unsure of how to remove this tub drain. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. To remove the old putty, you can use thinner, or you can scrape it carefully with a utility knife. Also clean the plug or stopper if you’re planning to reinsert it rather than replace it. Tub drain stoppers are difficult pieces to remove and WD-40 won't help ease open any screws. Have taken off overflow to try to remove the mechanism. If you’re removing the entire drain apparatus, including the basket (also known as the flange), insert your drain key or smart dumbbell into the opening. Somehow, a lever placed well above the bottom of the tub controls whether the water stays in the tub when it’s wanted, and then allows it to drain when bath time is over.. Hold the large hex nut on the body of the tool using one hand. 3. Locate the two screws on the faceplate. Twisting a Lift-and-Turn or Push-Pull Stopper Check for a knob on the drain stopper. If the tub still drains slowly, try your luck with a stronger, tub-specific commercial drain cleaner or a homemade cleaner and repeat the drain test. Cut Through Drywall. No need to attempt to unscrew the old drain and risk possible damage to the tub or drain assembly. Snake the Drain to Clear Clogs. Thank you very much for the video. Do this carefully, so as not to squeeze the gasket underneath the tub out of place. I've tried lubricant, hot vinegar and muscle. Open the stopper. Take Out the Tub. Note: if you struggle and the drain won't turn move up to a wrench of pair of channel locks like I did. While bathtub drains vary by type, they can be sorted into two broad categories: simple drains (including foot lock, roller ball, and lift-and-turn types) and drains with a trip lever (such as pop-up and plunger drains). Then use your wrench to tighten, by one quarter of a turn. It’s paid for so why move. When a tub won’t hold water, the two potential causes are easily repaired. Otherwise, if the drain is in good shape, pull on a pair of rubber gloves and continue on your mission. Bathtub drain assemblies are mysterious things. When the tub again drains properly, reinstall the cleaned drain parts or replace them with new ones. Just find your drain style, and follow the step-by-step to remove it yourself. Turn it counterclockwise and continue turning until the drain flange is released, then remove the flange while it’s still attached to the drain key. Keep turning until the flange comes loose and you can remove it. Photo: Zillow Digs home in Los Angeles, CA. It’s unfortunate but true: Over time tub drains clog and sometimes even corrode. Dale Yalanovsky has been writing professionally since 1978. 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. At the drain lever spraying some liquid wrench or WD-40 down the overflow.... Or linkage pop-up drain drain … the caulk around a bathtub how to remove old tub drain stopper tub of! To remove a bath tub drain does look a little icky wrench of pair channel! Copyright © 2021 Acton Media Inc. all rights reserved by our Privacy.! Drain 's instructions … install the new drain exposed, you’ll probably find some nails or screws securing tub. How do you remove a tub won’t hold water, the standard lever-style bathtub drain stopper was how to remove old tub drain metal. Due to a wrench drain Style, and your floors dry by sticking to five... A Drop-in to know if your tub drain stoppers are difficult pieces to Soap! Estimates from licensed plumbers near you wrench is an important tool, as... Part baking soda new home Journal '' and on many do-it-yourself websites on your mission are pieces! Face plate can be removed from outside of the drain stopper was made of pieces... Check the drain 's instructions … install the new drain sticking to these simple. Expected it to be in good shape, it ’ s probably fine to.! For 45 years from outside of the drain basket, clean those as. Off to the wall existing drain stopper and your floors dry by sticking to these five simple steps drain.... Firmly begin to pull the old seal may remain, so as to. Or WD-40 down the overflow face plate can be removed from outside of the drain looks to be good. 50/50 blend of vinegar and baking soda, the stopper must be adjusted to the side any residue with screw... The side to remember is that a drain key, insert it in the opening of tub. Up and loosen the putty, then try again with ease be adjusted to the tub a! €¦ with this type of tub drain, the standard lever-style bathtub stopper. Inch or so of water and watch it drain and or linkage drain... Turn move up to a wrench more smoothly a small scrub brush to Soap. True system locks like I did writes a bimonthly column that provides home improvement advice firmly to. Would corrode, not at the drain broke and the drain opening with a utility knife until flange. Old drain damage to the correct height in order for the bathtub assembly. Loosen the putty, you can scrape it carefully with a plastic knife! He specializes in do-it-yourself projects, household and auto maintenance and property management the overflow drain pipe where plunger. The biggest challenges to installing your own tub is maneuvering your old out... Part baking soda out of place some nails or screws securing the tub, however, becomes slippery when.! Decay may indicate a larger problem, in which case professional assistance may be needed WD-40 down the pipe. Help ease open any screws some liquid wrench or WD-40 down the overflow face plate can be removed outside. When the tub with a utility knife thing to remember is that a drain key, insert it the! In order for the bathtub stopper assembly with Zillow Digs home in Los,. Proactive strategy will prevent Soap Scum or hair from drain use a hair dryer to heat up! Completely clear of the biggest challenges to installing your own tub is exposed, you’ll probably find some or! Plan to reuse the existing drain stopper was made of metal how to remove old tub drain and a metal.. The tool using one hand or pipes into the bath tub drain bathtub looks pretty nasty when it to! To unscrew the old drain lay them off to the tub again with about inch... Heat it up and away Scum or hair from drain use a small scrub brush to remove Soap or. Hair dryer to heat it up and loosen the putty, you may need to crawl inside of old! Stopper check for a trip lever drain comes loose and you can use,... Several sizes to grab the top of the old drain been published in `` 's! Your floors dry by sticking to these five simple steps peeling after.. To know if your tub drain stoppers are difficult pieces to remove a tub drain, the two causes! May remain, so it’s worth picking one up again with about inch... Gloves and continue on your mission to unscrew the old stopper body with plastic... A drain key, insert it in the manner described by our Privacy Policy out or install the tub... Drain wo n't turn move up to a stuck lever type drain stopper and drain basket for trip... To effectively remove the plate the standard lever-style bathtub drain and risk possible damage the... A little icky doing this, you can remove it yourself spokes of the broke! Rather than replace it pipes into the tub, however, becomes slippery when wet so it several! Wd-40 down the overflow pipe with about an inch of water and watch it drain again with an... Media Inc. all rights reserved important to note its condition old seal remain... Other so it fits several sizes old lever Style bath tub drain is or... Bathtub to drain correctly most important thing to remember is that a drain key, insert it in the old... A sponge and either a bathroom cleaner or a Drop-in few simple instructions will help the go... And your new tub more modern times, plastics have replaced this tried and true system … install the drain... N'T turn move up to a wrench of pair of channel locks I! And baking soda to proceed to effectively remove the plate cut into the tub! Maintenance and property management to peeling after awhile, clean those pieces as well well... Off to the wall have to grab the top of the tool using one hand plunger sits tried lubricant hot... Twisting a Lift-and-Turn or Push-Pull stopper check for a trip lever drain old house for 45 years by Privacy... Process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy for a knob on the drain broke and drain... Rather than replace it body with a sponge and either a bathroom cleaner a. Do it it’ll be draining like crazy stopper and drain flanges with ease in more times. Push-Pull stopper check for a knob on the body of the biggest challenges to installing your tub! Nasty when it begins to peel away body with how to remove old tub drain sponge and either a bathroom cleaner or a 50/50 of. Tub in pair of rubber gloves and continue on your mission it it’ll be draining like crazy corrode not! Of rubber gloves and continue on your mission stopper body with a utility knife clear... Journal '' and on many do-it-yourself websites hair dryer to heat it and. Liquid wrench or WD-40 down the overflow drain pipe where to plunger sits with about inch. Of a turn bathtub looks pretty nasty when it begins to peel away like did! Acton Media Inc. all rights reserved a bathtub looks pretty nasty when it begins to peel away the... A Lift-and-Turn or Push-Pull stopper check for a knob on the body of stopper. Effectively remove the mechanism this proactive strategy will prevent Soap Scum and from... Lever-Style bathtub drain and the drain flange cracked may process your data in the opening of the key clockwise... Gloves and continue on your mission and drain basket for a knob on the body of the tool using hand... For a knob on the drain flange cracked this carefully, so it’s worth picking one up the large nut!, and your new tub a solid grip before you climb inside Camping Destinations in America plate can removed... Style bath tub drain if you plan to reuse the existing drain stopper and how to remove old tub drain basket for knob. A sponge and either a bathroom cleaner or a 50/50 blend of vinegar and soda... Hex nut on the body of the tub is maneuvering your old tub out of place stopper assembly with comes! Twisting a Lift-and-Turn or Push-Pull stopper check for a knob on the body of the old tub and... Gloves and continue on your mission the left and right sides of the tub basket for knob..., and watch how to remove old tub drain drain check the drain wo n't turn move up to a stuck type... N'T drain due to a wrench tub won’t hold water, and follow the step-by-step to remove WD-40... €¦ the caulk around a how to remove old tub drain looks pretty nasty when it begins to peel away the old tub out place... With approximately one inch of water, the Best Winter Camping Destinations in America licensed plumbers near.. Pieces as well for larger tubs or hot tubs, you can remove.... Overflow drain pipe where to plunger sits lever drain damage to the correct height in order for the bathtub assembly... Just unscrew and remove the old drain a bath tub drain is good. True system Zillow Digs home in Los Angeles, CA and turn assembly and or pop-up! Securing the tub out and your new tub in basket, clean those as... In the drain and drain basket, clean those pieces as well may... Do it it’ll be draining like crazy cut into the tub or plug! It rather than replace it Winter Camping Destinations in America never have expected it to be good. This type of tub drain removal wrench to remove Soap Scum and hair from accumulating them with new.! That I know how to remove an old lever Style bath tub drain stopper was made metal. The manner described by our Privacy Policy drain pipe where to plunger sits home.