If you do not know which type of screwdriver to use, match the screwdriver to the screw head. Instructions. If the tub has no screen, it likely will have a stopper set into the drain opening. 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There are other ways to remove the flange, but those methods are likely to damage your tub (or your tools!) The Drain Key and Smart Dumbell are both designed specifically for this job, and will help to prevent any potential damage to the tub… If there’s a pop-up drain on the tub, raise the lever to the open position, then grab the stopper and pull it from the drain hole. 99 Remove the Tub Stopper or Screen. In most cases, you’ll only need a screwdriver and a stiff wire or a bent coat hanger. Plumbing Snake Auger, Flexible Steel Drain Cleaning Cable | Hair and Other Drain Clogs Removal Tool for Kitchen & Bathroom Sinks, Bathtub & Shower Drains 4.1 out of 5 stars 1,005 $16.99 $ 16 . Remove the drain stopper or screen to gain access to the tub's drain fitting. When that happens and you need to remove the old bathtub drain, plan on using a little manual labor and a specialized tool to get the job done. Hair and soap often accumulate underneath the strainer, which is located in or over the drain. One person should lift the front edge of the tub, while another slides a couple of 1 x 4 boards underneath to get it off the floor. Our bath tub drain has never been cleaned. I would never have expected it to be so easy. How to Replace a Bathtub Waste-and-Overflow Tube, How to Install a Stopper Drain Fitting in a Bathtub, How to Use a Plunger to Unclog a Sink Drain, How to Fix a Sticky Trip-Lever Bathtub Drain Stopper, How to Remove and Clean 5 Types of Bathtub Drain Stoppers, How to Troubleshoot and Fix Ceiling Leaks, Removing a Damaged Screw With a Screw Extractor. Remove the Drain With a Plug Wrench. Unscrew the faceplate that is mounted to the overflow drain. The good news is that it has always worked for us. Step 2 Remove the knob on the top of the stopper. Pull Out Hair or Debris. Step 1 The stopper can be in the "open" or "closed" position. Step 2: Locking the tool for removing the drain. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. Remove the strainer. Check the drain's instructions … Remove the drain flange with a dedicated drain flange removal tool, or stick a pair of needle nose … Remove any stringer supports left on the wall. One side is bigger than the other so it fits several sizes. First, unscrew the screen from the tub drain and use a bent wire to fish out any hair and soap scum. The drain removal tool has teeth that grab the drain from the inside. The screen is the grille that is designed to prevent larger objects from falling … After a few rotations, the tub drain should be loose enough so that you can set aside the second set of pliers and turn the locking pliers by hand. The good news is that a clogged or slow drain can often be cleared without the cost of calling in a plumber. Remove the drain stopper or screen to gain access to the tub's drain fitting. Kapaski 3 Pack Drain Clog Remover Cleaning Tool, Tube Drain Cleaning Removal Opener for Sink and Bathtub, Toilet and Auger Plumbing (19.9 inch) 3.8 out of 5 stars 1,050 $4.99 $ 4 . To remove the outer cap on the stopper, first set the stopper in the open position, then turn the cap on the stopper ... Unscrew Shaft Cylinder Portion. Once the drain basket is fully exposed, use a mild cleanser or a mixture of one part vinegar and one part baking soda to wash it off. Insert the end of the plug wrench into the drain opening so the tines on the wrench fit onto the crossbars of the drain. Insert the Drain Key into the drain. Take the pot of boiling water from the stove top, handling it carefully with an oven mitt. Hold the large hex nut on the body of … It drains so sloooooow now that I know how to do it it’ll be draining like crazy. Cleaning that bath tub drain does look a little icky. How to Remove a Trip-Lever Drain Stopper: Set the drain to its open position. Grip the locking pliers with a set of standard pliers, grabbing as low as possible on the locking pliers so that they do not interfere with the locking action. Turn the pliers counterclockwise. It’s paid for so why move. Clean it of all hair and soap. 2. https://www.homedepot.ca/product/hdx-tub-drain-remover/1000828569 ​. Make sure the jaws are on opposite sides of the crossbars, over the center of the "X". Unthread the drain all the way by hand once it is loose enough. Hold the body of the stopper in place with one hand and with the other hand unscrew the knob by turning it counter-clockwise. Once you have your tools ready, you can now go on how to remove bathtub drain, which is the focus of this guide. This is the plunger that just has a rubber cup-shaped end on it rather than an extended, more complex flange (that type is a toilet plunger). Put the dry rag or cloth over the bathtub drain to cover the hole, and let it sit for about 30 minutes. The method to remove it depends on the stopper type. About 80 percent of the time, you can fix slow-draining or clogged tub drains in about five minutes, without chemicals and without a $100 plumber bill. Use a flat-head screwdriver or a putty knife and a rag to remove the old ring of plumber's putty from around the drain opening. Slide the tub out of the alcove using the 1 x 4 boards as skids. Once you break the flange out, clean up any old putty before installing a new drain. The second and much more difficult step is to unscrew the tub drain from the shoe. It has a conical shape and helical knurls that grip the metal wall on the inside of the drain fitting. There will likely still be plumber’s putty on the drain and on the edges of the drain hole at the base of the tub. Stoppers that you open and close by moving the stopper itself usually unscrew from the drain or are secured with a setscrew. It screws into the elbow, or shoe, of a horizontal length of pipe that extends toward the end of the tub and ties into the drain pipe assembly. You will need to remove the old plumber’s putty. … 1 Insert a drain key into the bathtub drain basket. Hold the wrench attached to the hex nut firmly and continue turning the drive screw until the tub strainer breaks free and begins to turn itself out. Instead of a knob on the top, this stopper has a flip tab or toggle that opens or … You can take out your drain in 3 easy steps: Place the smart dumbbell or drain key into the drain. Remove the screws with the proper screwdriver. How to remove a bathtub drain the brcraft drain removal wrench in the removing a bathtub drain that has drain without damaging the tub 6 Easy S To Remove A Bathtub DrainHow To Remove A Bathtub Drain StopperHow To Remove A Bathtub Drain StopperA Diy On How To Remove The Bathtub DrainHow To Remove A… Read More » Instructions. Remove the Drain With Locking Pliers. Stoppers that you operate with a lever on the overflow drain plate may have a metal rocker arm that extends through the horizontal portion of the tub drain pipe. Remove the screen. Tubs with screens usually have a bucket, or plunger, type stopper assembly that stops the water inside the drain pipe. BEST BUDGET. Remove items from under the sink. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series. Try not to let the putty fall into the drain because it never breaks down and could start a clog. If the tub is very cold, gently blow warm air from a heat gun or a hair drier over it for a few minutes to soften the putty before removing the drain. Brcraft drain removal wrench in the general wrench tub drain removal pipe how to clear a clogged shower drain 8 how to remove a tub drain in your home bathtub drain odors 6 Easy S To Remove A Bathtub DrainHow To Remove A Bathtub Drain StopperA Diy On How To Remove The Bathtub DrainHow To… Read More » If the tub has a screen, simply pry underneath the screen with a small flat-head screwdriver to pop it off. Set Stopper in Open Position. Clean the Drain Opening. You’ll be able to remove any hair that may be stuck within the drain upon removing the flange to access the inside. Flip-It® Tub Stopper. You use a socket wrench to turn the tool and as it turns the teeth expand outward and apply pressure to the drain. Heat helps to loosen old plumber's putty. You can learn about the bathtub drain removal tool here… Scour the Stopper. Most plug wrenches have more than one size of head; use the head that makes the snuggest fit. The crossbars are what make it possible to remove the drain with a plug wrench or pliers: If your drain doesn't have crossbars, you'll need to use a tool called a tub drain extractor. Use a hairdryer to dry it out which will help make the putty break apart easier. Tools needed: Flathead screwdriver, clean rag, pliers. Clamp the locking pliers they grip the crossbars tightly. For a super easy and budget-friendly way to protect your drains, turn to the DANCO Tub Drain Protector Hair Catcher.This plastic drain stopper has a lip and basket system that allows the stopper to catch all kinds of hair and debris. Carefully pull the stopper and rocker arm from the drain. Turn the plug wrench counterclockwise with a large adjustable wrench or tongue-and-groove pliers to loosen the drain. If you can’t pull the stopper out, you will need to go underneath … Remove the rag and then slowly pour the pot of hot water down the bathtub drain. Wear a mouth mask if you have one, or place a towel over your mouth. Using a small chisel, position it in between the tub floor and the flange and tap around the entire drain to loosen the putty. The drain fitting is a metal basket-like piece that has a lip or flange at the top and a body with threads on the outside. To remove a drain flange, it‘s best to use a drain removal tool. DANCO Tub Drain Protector Hair Catcher. Insert a screwdriver through the holes in the sides of the key and use it as a lever to turn the flange counterclockwise. Pull the faceplate free and the rest of the drain stopper’s connected hardware should follow. Keep turning until the flange comes loose and you can remove it. This will often take care of things. Note: if you struggle and the drain won't turn move up to a wrench of pair of channel locks like I did. The tub drain threads into the drain shoe body of the waste and overflow and snugs up both to the bath tub. Inside most drain fittings are two metal crossbars that form an "X" to prevent large items from falling into the drain. You turn the extractor with an adjustable wrench, as with a plug wrench. Thank you very much for the video. Insert the plunger and screw in the drain basket for a trip lever drain. Tub drains are stubborn, often due to corrosion, gunk, or hardened plumber's putty. The stringer is the crosspiece that supports the edge of the tub. Next, take the drain key and insert it into the tub drain … You usually don’t need a tool to do this. We have been in the same old house for 45 years. [1] X Research source The size and sha… Once clean, you’ll be able to see the bathtub drain opening and flange clearly. Be patient and go slowly. Richard Epstein is a licensed master plumber with over 40 years experience in residential and commercial plumbing. An old-fashioned cup-style, or sink, plunger is another great tool for unclogging a bathtub or shower drain without chemicals. If you're replacing the old tub drain with a new one, take the old piece to the store with you to be sure you get the right replacement part. The larger side of the dumbbell should be used, as the notches can easily fit into the crossbars of your bathtub drain flange. Though many strainers can be removed manually, some have screws that will need to be removed, too. Insert a pair of locking needle-nose pliers into the drain opening as far as jaws will go. If you're using a drain key, insert it in the opening of the old drain. Removing a tub drain is necessary if you're removing or replacing the bathtub or if the drain fitting is badly corroded or it leaks and needs to be replaced. Putty Removal and Reinstallation: Once you have removed the entire drain assembly set it aside on a section of towell you have laid across the tub base. Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 12 years. 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