If it can be unscrewed this way, it will come undone within six to seven full circles. Warming it up will make it easier to remove. Moen bathtub drain stoppers can be removed and replaced fairly easily. Here’s how to remove a push-pull tub stopper: Very similar in appearance to the push-pull style, this stopper is operated by lifting and turning the knob in opposite directions to open and close the drain. Your health and safety are our highest priority during this time. Usually, the problem is easy to fix, though the procedures vary depending on what type of tub stopper you have. Use one hand to hold the base of the stopper in place, and turn the knob counter-clockwise until it is all the way off. Remove Stopper 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. Grasp the body of the stopper and use a gentle twisting motion (in either direction) or wiggle it back and forth while pulling upward at the same time until the stopper pops free. Lift the stopper off its mounting post. Click here for our precautionary measures. This type is typically easy to remove. Unscrew the mounting post from the drain using pliers or a screwdriver. Set the stopper to the “open” position (the position that allows the tub to drain). Any bathtub drain stopper that doesn't do its job is an annoying inconvenience. It is usually screwed into a threaded section of the drain opening. Sometimes wiggling back and forth while pulling up may work … Begin by removing the knob that is on top of the stopper. It often takes a snake to clear a clogged bathtub drain, but to get the snake into the drain, you first have to remove the drain stopper. Whatever the reason, a toe-tap bathtub stopper can be easily removed. To remove the outer cap on the stopper, first set the stopper in the open position, then turn the cap on the stopper counterclockwise to remove it. If it is a metal stopper, you can try two things to remove it. For decades, the standard lever-style bathtub drain stopper was made of metal pieces and a metal spring. Move the rotating dial to the open setting. Are your windows looking rough? A lot of people as us, Mr. Rooter Plumbing, about how to remove their bathtub drain stopper. Grasp the body of the stopper and use a gentle twisting motion (in either direction) or wiggle it back and forth while pulling upward at the same time until the stopper pops free. Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Courtice-Bowmanville. Unscrew the post using a standard flathead screwdriver and lift off from the strainer. The first step in figuring out how to remove a bathtub drain stopper is to determine which type of stopper you have. Heat the drain basket with a hair dryer. Step 1 O-rings keep this Flip-It ® tub drain stopper in place. Once you have removed the knob, you can easily unscrew the rest of the stopper and remove it from the drain. It is for information purposes only. You don’t have to remove the screw from the stopper, it simply has to be loose enough to lift. Remove the clip that holds the overflow cover plate to the plunger rod. Once the bathtub stopper has been removed, use a flashlight to peer into the drain. Or, better yet, avoid the stress—and the mess! Removing the drain stopper will help you get a closer look at whatever is causing the problem. A stopper that isn’t flush with the bottom of the tub when it’s engaged may not hold water very well, making bath time a hassle. Have you noticed that your bathtub is draining slowly? Try spraying some liquid wrench or WD-40 down the overflow drain pipe where to plunger sits. To remove a roller-ball, foot-lock, or twist-and-turn stopper, you will need to turn the body of the stopper counterclockwise while in the up position. Unscrew that post using a screwdriver and remove it from the strainer. Here’s how to replace a toe-touch tub stopper: This type of stopper has a knob at the top. It’s also important to know how to remove a bathtub drain stopper if it isn’t properly placed. Some stoppers screw into a threaded opening in the middle of the flange crossbar, and some work without a crossbar. Call Mr. Rooter® Plumbing at (855) 591-0128. Once the bathtub stopper has been removed, use a flashlight to peer into the drain. A toe-tap bathtub stopper may need to be removed for a number of reasons. How you achieve it will depend on what type of drain stopper you have in your tub. If your bathtub’s draining slowly, there may be a build-up of hair, soap and other gunk clogging the drain. Closing or opening the stopper just requires a light push down with your toe. Continue to unscrew until you can remove the unit. Make sure that the drain stopper is into the closed position on down so that it will not turn anywhere while you are doing your job. To remove, unthread the rod nut, pull the ball rod out, and remove the stopper from the drain. There is a chance that you may need a screwdriver to unscrew the cylinder from the crossbar first. Rotate the flat tip of the screwdriver counter-clockwise to unscrew the screw and release the stopper from its position in the drain. Sometimes the post threads may be stripped, making it difficult to unscrew the stopper. If your bathtub’s draining slowly, there may be a build-up of hair, soap and other gunk clogging the drain. Wrap a washcloth or rag around the knob and use pliers if the knob is too tight to unscrew by hand. Continue to unscrew until you can remove the unit. Pull the stopper up and away from the drain hole. Do they feel draftier than they used to? It does not matter in which direction you rotate the stopper. There are a few types of drain stoppers. Remove Soap Scum or Hair from Drain Use a small scrub brush to remove soap scum or hair inside the drain opening. Wipe off any grime from the pop – up stopper and rocker arm. Now that you know how to remove bathtub drain stoppers of all kinds, it’s time to figure out why your drain is slow. Looking for a plumber near me in Ohio Valley? To get a closer look at the situation, you will have to remove the bathtub’s drain stopper. Our colleagues at Mr. Handyman can help. Besides these, there are two types of stoppers that work with a lever -- the pop-up and trip lever stoppers. Slowing turn the knob counter-clockwise, looking for a screw set on the knob. Use an old rag to help grip the stopper if you have difficulty pulling up on the stuck stopper. The first step in your process is to figure out how to remove this stopper. They include the toe-touch, flip-it, lift-and-turn and PresFlo stoppers. If the knob is too tight to unscrew by hand, wrap a washcloth or rag around the knob and use standard pliers to loosen. Try gently pulling upward while turning. If you prefer to have a professional plumber take a look at the situation, then call Mr. Rooter Plumbing. Loosen the setscrew on the top of the stopper with an Allen wrench or screwdriver. Try holding the base of the cylinder while turning the top cap counter-clockwise. Here’s how to remove a lift and turn stopper: Instead of a knob on the top, this stopper has a flip tab or toggle that opens or closes the drain when it’s flipped back and forth. Once the knob is removed, look for a post that connects the stopper to the crossbar of the strainer. Place the stopper in the “open” position, as if you are draining the tub. Though this stopper is relatively trouble-free, the spring mechanism may wear out over time. Identifying which type you have will help you when it becomes necessary to fix or replace your drain stopper. Hold the base of the cylinder and turn the cap counterclockwise. If your stopper has a top cap, twist counter-clockwise to remove it before removing the cylinder base by turning counter-clockwise. Clogged bathroom drains can be inconvenient, gross, and even harmful to your plumbing system. Perhaps the drain is clogged and needs to be cleared, or perhaps the stopper itself needs to be cleaned. With water and mineral deposits the screw holding the cover onto the drain may have become rusted and stripped. All Mr. Rooter Plumbing Franchise Locations Are Independently Owned And Operated. You will not need to … If the bathtub pop-up drain stopper is stuck and simply won't unscrew, use a pair of pliers around the round cap to wiggle it loose. There are occasions when a bathtub drain cover needs to be removed such as when the drain needs to be snaked. While still in the up position, lift it up and turn it until you see a small ‘set’ screw. Use a standard flathead screwdriver or an Allen wrench (hex key) to loosen the set screw. For lime buildups … Unscrew the shaft cylinder, which is the part of the drain stopper that fits into the drain opening. So, the first step is to figure out which type of drain stopper you have. The basket, also known as a flange, is sealed with plumber’s putty. This information is not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise. Pull up the stopper by the knob on top, and begin to unscrew it counter clockwise as one large piece. Look for the point that connects the stopper and the crossbar of the strainer. If you don't like your present drain stopper, replacing your bathtub drain flange presents a golden opportunity to change it. This drain stopper is pushed down to close and pulled up to open. Sometimes, the spring mechanism in this part of the tub breaks, and the stopper must be replaced. If the clog isn’t too far down—and if you are brave enough—you can pry the strainer off and try to remove it yourself. To remove one, first, set it in the open position. Placing a soft, thin cloth between the pliers and the top of the stopper can help prevent damage. Step 2 Remove the screws that secure the cover plate assembly to the bathtub's wall, using the screwdriver. Loosen the screw with the screwdriver. If your stopper does not have a visible screw set on the knob, but does not seem to unscrew, lift the stopper up and turn, looking for a small screw. In this article, we will go over how to troubleshoot and replace your drain stopper. There is a chance that you may need a screwdriver to unscrew the cylinder from the crossbar first. The most common types of bathtub drain stoppers are lift-and-turn, push-and-pull, pop-up, toe-touch, flip-it, and trip lever. Remove the screws securing the trip lever cover plate to the side of the bathtub. Lift the stopper part way up (all the way up and it spins around freely; part way up and it will not turn , providing the "resistance" for you to screw against) and then turn it counter-clockwise. Unscrew Shaft Cylinder Portion Next, unscrew the shaft cylinder portion of the stopper—the section that fits in the drain opening. How to Remove a Drain Tub Stopper. Removing a stripped screw from the tub drain takes some diligence and the right tools. This situation can actually be dangerous because it creates a slipping hazard. Depending … Actuate the pop-up drain's trip lever to lift the stopper out of the drain pipe. We are available 24/7 and can have a certified plumber dispatched to your location within the hour. Lifting the stopper, slowly rotate it counter-clockwise, aligning the slot at the bottom of the channel with the pin on the strainer. How to remove and replace a bathtub drain stopper - YouTube Set the stopper to the “open” position (the position that allows the tub to drain). Wiggle the stopper left and right and up and down to free it. Some services are subject to provincial and local licensing and may not be available at all locations. You will need a channel lock and nose plier to remove this kind of bathtub drain stopper stuck in closed position. How to remove a push-pull/lift-turn drain stopper. This type is typically easy to remove. Step 2: Get the channel lock. With the stopper in the open position, use one hand to hold the body of the stopper in place. Step 1: Cover your tub’s finish with an old rag or towel. Mr. Rooter is a registered trademark of Mr. Rooter LLC Copyright © 2021 Mr. Rooter, All rights reserved. To remove this stopper: Removing the drain stopper is fairly simple as you just read. If you have any questions or would like to hire a certified plumber, then call Mr. Rooter Plumbing today. Gently remove the stopper from the drain opening and use wiggling movements to remove the whole arm linkage from the same opening. It’s as simple as that. You shouldn’t have to remove the screw entirely to remove the stopper. Know what type of bathtub drain stopper you have to safely remove, clean or adjust it. Our friendly professionals can tackle the problem for you, so that you can keep your hands clean and your drains clear. Others are just one unit threaded into the crossbar. Once you have removed the stopper, you can inspect the drain and remove scum, debris, and rust that might be causing the issue you are having. How to Remove an Old Lever Style Bath Tub Drain Stopper. We offer 24-Hour emergency plumbing repair, drain cleaning, sewer line repair and all other general plumbing repairs in Ohio Valley, Weirton, Steubenville and all surrounding area. Be very careful with this process; if the screw is removed entirely, it can fall down the drain. 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