Clean Your Drain Cover
This isnt an essential step per se, but its worth doing anyway to make clogging less of an issue moving forward. While the drain cover is out of position, take this opportunity to clean it.
Use some vinegar mixed with water to loosen any debris on the surface and underside of the drain cover. After that, sprinkle some scouring powder on to the cover. Use an old toothbrush or a rag to scrub the drain cover with the scouring powder.
Run the drain cover under some water and wipe it clean with a rag. You can now set it aside until the time comes for you to place it back over the shower drain.
First Step To Removing A Shower Drain Cover
Do a quick glance over it before removing it. Examine how its attached. A standard shower drain cover is attached with a screw in the center. Other drains snap into place instead. A snap-on shower drain cover will generally have a silicone adhesive that holds it in place. Just give it a little tug and it will pop out.
Install The Strainer Assembly
Attach the drain strainer assembly to the drain, so it extends up above the liner. This piece usually has male threads that screw down into the female threads of the middle flange. The degree of extension for the strainer assembly depends on how the tile will be installedfollow the manufacturer’s instructions. It may be as much as 1 1/2 inches if you are laying tile on a solid mortar bed.
Now you are ready for the rest of the ceramic tile installation. Usually, this involves a second layer of mortar, then ceramic tile applied over the mortar. The tile should be grouted, sealed, and cured before you use the shower.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
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What Is A Bathtub Drain Removal Tool: How Does It Work
As the name suggests, a bathtub drain removal tool helps you remove the drain assembly and drain stopper from your bathtub. It can also be known as a drain wrench.
Generally speaking, the drain removal tool works best for drains that use a crossbar, such as lift and turn drains and toe touch drains.
The drain wrench fits the crossbar and loosens it without the risk of breaking it. In order to use the tool, you will typically use locking pliers or a screwdriver to operate the tool once it grips to the interior crossbar.
Have a bathtub clog? Read our guide on how to unclog a bathtub drain.
Helpful Tools To Use In The Removal Process
Having tools on hand to use during the removal process helps removal go a bit smoother. Helpful tools to have close by are:
- Philips screwdriver or a flat-head screwdriver for a screw in the drain cover
- Needle nose pliers for a snap on drain cover
- Spray lubricant to use along the outer lip of the cover
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Diy Shower Demolition Guide
So, you want to remove your shower. Whether itâs made of tile, fiberglass or another material, demolishing a shower isnât as hard of a task as you might think. Our guide walks you through the ins and outs of removing a shower â from step-by-step instructions for removing fixtures, door frames, shower heads and drain pans to specific advice to demolish tile and fiberglass walls.
Need to remove a shower and bathtub combo? We have a guide for that too. Check out our in-depth tutorial to learn how to remove a bathtub.
Check The Drains For Clogs
Its bad practice to let your drains all clogged up. You cant remove the drain when its clogged. Thus, you have to check for clogs. You can do this by watching the water drain out from your shower.
When your drains get clogged, the following steps will help you clear the clogs:
- Get a drain snake to help you remove the clogs
- Throw in a handful of baking soda into a bowl of hot water and pour down the drain
- Pour in a mixture of warm water and vinegar into the drain
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Cut Around The Fiberglass Shower
For tile, youll want to use a grout removal tool to first remove the grout. An oscillating tool, a grout scraper, or even a flat screwdriver will do. Exercise caution to make sure you dont chip the tile. Then, use a flat prybar to individually work under each tile and pry it up. Exercise caution and go slowly to avoid cracking the tile.
If you just have drywall, you can go ahead and simply draw a line up the sides you want to cut. Then, use a reciprocating saw or jigsaw to cut the drywall out. If youd like to ensure you dont cut pipes or crossbeams, you can use a utility knife for the full work instead. However, this will take significantly more time.
Cleaning Out The Clogged Shower Drain
Once the drain cover is removed, use a flashlight to look down into the drain. Make sure there arent any large objects down inside the drain.If the clogged drain is due to hair buildup, reach down inside and pull the hair out of it. Make sure to wear gloves while pulling all of the hair out. It will be slippery and slimy.
If there is any hair further down inside the clogged shower drain that is out of reach, use a snake to pull it out. A wire hanger can be used as well. Untwist the wire hanger completely. Bend the straight end of the wire into a small hook with a pair of needle-nose pliers. Insert the plumbers snake into the clogged drain, using a flashlight to look down into it, and hook any hair or debris inside it. Once it is hooked, pull it out of the drain. Repeat the process as necessary, until all the hair and debris is removed.
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How To Remove A Shower Drain Cover & Replace It
Removing your shower drain is necessary especially if it is worn out, clogged or not working properly. Removal is normally the initial step to repairing or replacing it. With the right tools and knowledge is a quick and easy process you can handle on your own.
To remove a shower drain cover, first, identify the type of cover that is installed in your bathroom. After identification, all you need is your protective gear, a screwdriver, a sharp object or just your hands to pop it off.
The following is a detailed guide on how to go about removing different types of drain covers including those with or without screws, those that are grouted in, what to do if the cover wont come off, and replacement steps. Moreso, learn how to remove the shower drain itself plus tips and safety measures to observe.
- Hammer for grouted-in covers
- Needle nose pliers for use on a snap-on drain cover.
Depending on the type of shower drain cover you have, some of the items may be optional.
Final Thoughts On Buying A Bathtub Drain Removal Tool
When you need access to your bathtub drain due to a clog, you may need to first remove the bathtub drain stopper. Using a superior tool can make the task easy and quick for any DIY plumber. While some stubborn clogs can be cleared using a strong drain cleaner, you might need better access to the opening when using a powered electric snake.
Pro Tip: Are you simply trying to remove the stopper and not the entire drain? We got you. See this post for detailed instructions on how to remove a bathtub drain stopper, by each type.
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Easy Diy Steps On How To Remove Your Shower Drain
The following tips will show you steps to remove your shower drain. Its possible to remove the shower drain without bringing out the shower pan.
The shower pan is at the base of your shower. The whole standing area in your shower is the shower pan. Hence, its challenging to leave them off before getting to the shower drain.
Thus, its easier to avoid the shower pan when trying to remove the shower drain.
How To Remove Fiberglass Shower
Fiberglass and one-piece shower units are extremely convenient to install mostly because they provide a quick and leak-proof shower. Unfortunately, if you decide you no longer like the look, your fiberglass shower cracks, or you have other issues, youll have to take it out. And, figuring out how to remove a fiberglass shower unit can be extremely difficult.
Thats especially true if you want to do so without completely ruining the bathroom. However, taking your fiberglass shower out will involve removing the drywall behind it.
Main Topics
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Use A Combination Of Baking Soda Vinegar And Water
To get rid of nasty blockages, try flushing the drain clear using baking soda, vinegar, and water. Start by sprinkling some baking soda down the drain and follow that with water. Next, pour some vinegar into the drain and let it soften up the blockages.
You can finish by pouring hot down water into the drain. By following up the baking soda and vinegar with hot water, you can effectively dissolve the debris down in the pipe.
Attach The Drain Assembly
Apply a bead of silicone caulk around the top flange of the shower drain opening, then insert the drain assembly into the opening. Put the rubber sealing washer and cardboard friction washer over the drain assembly tailpiece from under the shower base. Thread the mounting nut onto the tailpiece and tighten it down with channel-lock pliers.
Wipe away any excess caulk that has oozed out around the drain assembly.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Carefully position the shower base so the drainpipe extends up into the drain assembly.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
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How Do You Remove A Fiberglass Shower Without Breaking It
Its extremely difficult to remove a fiberglass shower without breaking it. Here, your best option is to go slowly, use thin pry bars, and slowly work your way down each side of the shower stall. If you exercise caution, it may be possible. However, applying too much pressure in any one place will break the stall. Therefore, you shouldnt count on being able to take the shower out in one piece.
Secure The Drain Assembly
From below the shower base, place the rubber sealing gasket, then the paper friction gasket, over the male threads of the upper body. Then, thread the lower body of the drain assembly onto the upper body. Tighten the drain assembly by screwing the pieces together until silicone oozes out between around the flange of the drain opening.
Wipe away any excess silicone. Attach the metal grate to the top of the drain assembly.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
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What To Do After Removing Fiberglass Shower Panels
In most cases, you remove a fiberglass shower to replace it with tile or to install a newer option. That means replacing the drywall you took out. You can also use this time to assess whether you want to install tiles instead of more fiberglass. Here, the steps should be:
Its always a good idea to check the water supply lines, to consider if you want to replace them, and to check the integrity of the wall and floor while the shower is out. If there are problems, its easy enough to fix them now before you install the new shower.
How To Remove A Shower Basin With A Glued Drain
Plastic drain parts that are glued together are chemically bonded and cannot be separated. This means you have to cut the drain pipe to remove your shower basin, or shower pan. PVC pipe cuts easily with a hacksaw or reciprocating saw, but you can use these tools only if the drain is accessible from below. If not, you can use a small rotary tool with a cutting wheel that’s suitable for cutting plastic, making the cut from inside the pipe.
1.
Remove the strainer from the drain. If it has screws, unscrew them with a Phillips screwdriver. If you don’t see any screws, you should be able to pry up the strainer with a flat-head screwdriver.
2.
Fit the cutoff wheel onto the rotary tool as directed by the manufacturer. The tool must be small enough to fit inside the pipe, and the cutoff wheel must be large enough to cut through the wall of the pipe .
3.
Insert the rotary tool about 6 inches into the drain pipe and make a continuous cut around the circumference of the pipe from inside the pipe. Use a flashlight to keep track of your progress.
4.
Remove all the screws holding the shower pan to the framing, using a drill and No. 2 Phillips bit, after cutting through the drain pipe. You’ll have to remove the wall covering from the walls above the pan to do this.
5.
Angle up the end of the pan nearest the back wall so the drain pipe clears the hole in the subfloor, and pull the pan straight out of the enclosure.
References
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Lubricate The Edges Of The Shower Drain Cover
If its been a long time since you last removed the drain cover, its likely not coming off without a fight. Youll have to soften it up first. Get a dry rag and use it to remove the moisture surrounding the drain cover. Soak up any pools of water and make sure that the area around the drain cover is completely dry.
After drying up the area around the drain, take your lubricant and start applying it to the edges of the cover. Using a spray bottle to apply the lubricant would be ideal, but you can use the rag if needed.
Go ahead and apply some lubricant on the surface of the drain cover itself. That should help in loosening it up later. Allow that lubricant to work its magic for at least 20 minutes before you proceed to the next step.
Remove The Shower Doors
If you have a shower/tub combo, this step is easy â simply remove the shower curtain and hooks. For showers with an enclosure, here are detailed steps to remove two standard door types: hinged and sliding.
How to Remove a Hinged Shower Door
- Simply unscrew the fasteners that connect to either the wall or frame until the door is detached.
How to Remove a Single or Dual Sliding Door System
- Grab the door on both sides and lift it up until you can swing the bottom of the door out of the track.
- Tilt the door until you feel the wheels slip from the upper track.
- Remove the door and place it to the side, repeating the process on the second door if necessary.
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Remove Shower Drain Cover
The toughest part is removing the old drain flange. Youll probably have to cut it with a hacksaw blade and pry it loose in sections from the shower pan. Leave the existing drainpipe intact. The WingTite Drain simply slips over the drainpipe and an O-ring seals it. apply 100 percent silicone sealant to underside of the drain flange to seal to the shower base. A stainless cover fits over the top .
What Do You Look For In Choosing A Bathtub Drain Removal Tool
When picking a bathtub drain removal tool, you need to find a tool that fits your drain and works for the particular drain type. Most bathtub drains are 1.5, but old bathtubs often have 2 drains.
You also want to use a tool that is strong enough to withstand substantial levels of pressure and hot water.
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Lifting The Shower Drain Out