Removal of a Bathtub Drain

To remove a bathtub drain, first determine what kind of drain stopper your tub uses. The drain stopper is the removable piece of a drain that can be opened and closed to drain or refill a bathtub. It's the most obvious feature of a drain.  

The four most frequent kinds of stoppers for bathtubs are described below, along with instructions for removing each. Even though any tub drain can be removed, it's best to call a plumber if the drain is particularly old or if the stopper is not easily recognizable.

It is possible to open and close a toe-touch drain stopper by simply touching it with your toe. This stopper is simple and straightforward, but regular use may wear out the spring and require replacement.

Push-pull drain stoppers, also called foot plugs, are used to open and close drains in the same way that their names suggest. To open the drain, simply pull up on its tiny knob, and to close it, push down. This inexpensive drain stopper can be removed and reinstalled repeatedly without any problems.

Both the lift-and-turn and twist-and-pull stoppers, as well as the push-pull stopper, look like they would function in the same way because of the small knobs located on top of each. To release the stopper, turn it counterclockwise while pulling up slightly on the knob, and to open it, turn it clockwise while holding it in place.

The trip-lever drain stopper, also known as a flip-level drain stopper, stands out from the other four drain stoppers and must be removed in a unique way. This drain stopper is operated by a trip lever located on the tub's overflow drain, beneath the sink. Instead of being located on the floor of the tub, the stopper is operated by a lever that is connected to a rod that runs through the overflow drain. However, a trip-lever drain stopper can be more challenging to remove than other types of stoppers because of this internal hardware.  

Once you know what kind of drain stopper you have, you can find out how to take the drain out of your bathtub by reading the appropriate instructions down below.

Steps for Taking Off a Toe-Touch Drain Stopper

• Turn the drain's stopper all the way open.  
• To remove the drain stopper, unscrew the cylinder shaft that rests in the drain. It is typically attached to the drain via a threaded section. It's possible to remove the drain stopper by hand by twisting it counterclockwise, but a screwdriver may be required if the stopper is too tightly fitted.    

Instructions for Taking Off a Push-Pull Stopper from a Drain:

• Make sure the drain is open.  
• You can release the clog by turning the drain stopper's knob in a counterclockwise direction.  
• The drain stopper can be removed from the drain opening after a sufficient number of turns.    

Removing a Lift-and-Turn Drain Stopper:

• The drain needs to be opened up.  
• Check for a set screw by unscrewing the drain stopper's top knob.  
• Using a hex key or small screwdriver, remove the set-screw from the drain stopper.  
• The whole stopper must be turned counterclockwise to be released from its mounting post.  
• Using pliers, take out the screw that holds it to the wall.    

Drain stoppers with trip levers require special tools to remove.

• The drain needs to be opened.  
• To access the overflow drain, unscrew the cover plate.  
• If you remove the drain stopper's cover plate, the rest of the connected hardware should come loose as a result. The entire stopper will be removed via the overflow.  
• The entire length of the drain stopper may need to be freed by jiggling it. To those attempting to remove it, please be patient.    

The drain stopper can then be put aside while any remaining dirt or debris is scrubbed away with a brush.  

• When the drain stopper is removed, the drain basket (or drain flange) is exposed in the drain opening. In the drain basket, you'll find a metal x.  
• Locking pliers or a tub drain wrench are required to remove the drain basket. A drain wrench is a special tool designed to fit over the crossbars of a drain basket and remove the drain. It makes the crossbar much less likely to be broken inadvertently.  
• To remove the drain basket using a drain wrench, place the wrench into the drain and turn it counterclockwise.  
• Make sure the locking pliers you use are compact enough to fit into the drain and strong enough to withstand your turns. Fasten the pliers' locking jaws to the metal's crossbar's center and turn them anticlockwise. Put a screwdriver in between the pliers' handles to increase the torque and make it easier to turn the pliers if you're having trouble.   
• Unscrewing a bathtub drain can be a tedious process because of the drain's long, deep thread. Take your time when replacing a bathtub drain.

Helpful hint: plumber's putty is used to seal the drain basket. Taking out the drain basket will be less of a chore if you first use a hairdryer to soften the putty.  

• If any of the old seal remains, scrape it off with a plastic putty knife.  
• Wipe the drain spout down with some bathroom cleaner or a mixture of equal parts vinegar and baking soda.
• Remove the drain stopper and drain basket and wash them if you intend to reuse them.  

How to replace a bathtub drain is up next.