How To Remove Tub Drain Stopper

January 19, 2023

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Lift And Turn Drain Stopper

Remove Bathtub Drain Stopper

With this type of drain stopper, youll need to rotate it until a setscrew becomes visible on its knob. Take a screwdriver or hex wrench and use it to loosen the stopper setscrew.

Once the screw is removed, you can detach the knob. Next, lift the drain stopper from the post. Then unscrew the drain post. In case you dont find a setscrew, unscrew the whole stopper unit using a wrench or your fingers.

How To Remove 6 Different Kinds Of Drain Stoppers

Clean or replace drain stoppers to clear clogs and update the bathroom.

Timothy Dale is a home repair expert and writer with over a decade of hands-on construction and home improvement experience. He is skilled in residential, commercial, industrial and institutional plumbing, electrical, carpentry, installation, renovations, and project management.

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Working Time: 10 mins – 2 hrs
Total Time: 30 mins – 2 hrs, 30 mins

Skill Level: Beginner
Estimated Cost: $0 to $100

Bathtubs and sinks commonly use drain stoppers to effectively plug the drain and keep water, soap, and other common substances from flowing down the drain. These innovative devices take the place of traditional plugs that are prone to tearing, warping, and even getting lost if they aren’t kept securely fastened to the tub or sink. However, while drain stoppers may be an improvement, they still have some shortcomings that need to be monitored and addressed by users.

Bathtub Drain Wont Unscrew

If that all sounds quite difficult, bear in mind that the most difficult part is actually identifying which type of drain stopper your particular tub features. If you really have no idea, or youre struggling to complete the necessary steps, dont stress because your drain cleaning specialists right here at Drain Masters Plumbing are only ever just around the corner.

We can deal with every single one of your drainage-related issues, and any other general plumbing jobs all over Brisbane and beyond, with speed and affordability. So why not give the fully-licensed, highly experienced and always-friendly Brisbane drain plumbers a call today? We cant wait to help you out!

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How To Fix A Lift

A trip-lever drain stopper that uses a lift-bucket plunger can be identified by the absence of a pop-up stopper in the drain opening. When problems occur with this type of drain, it is for one of two reasons:

The plunger has become stuck in the overflow tube and will not move up and down freely.
The rod linking the trip lever to the plunger isn’t adjusted properly, creating a situation in which the lift bucket plunger doesn’t drop down enough to completely seal the drainpipe opening.

How To Remove A Toe

A toe-touch drain stopper consists of a drain assembly that sits inside the drain and a toe-touch mechanism that is operated by simply pushing down on the drain stopper. One push will close the drain and a second push will open the drain. These drain stoppers usually have a circular shape and a flat lid that may be completely smooth or have the word ‘push’ engraved on the lid.

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Remove The Drain Stopper Plug And Rocker Arm

Open the drain stopper by removing the round rubber piece at the bottom of the stopper plug. Then you’ll be able to remove it from your drain. Once you’ve removed that, you will be able to see a plastic rocker arm attached to one side of the pop-up rod. Turn it around so that it’s facing upward, and then pull it straight up. This will remove your pop-up drain, but you still need to remove the stopper plug.

Choosing A Bathtub Drain Stopper

Some of the most important factors to consider when choosing a bathtub drain stopper include cost, ease of installation, and ease of maintenance. For instance, if you’re looking for a durable stopper that you can install yourself with basic plumbing skills, you might want to go with a lift-and-turn or push-and-pull model.

It’s possible to substitute one drain stopper type for another if you’re replacing an existing stopper, which can broaden your choices. For example, lift-and-turn and push-and-pull stoppers are simple to swap for one another, as their installation is similar. It’s even fairly easy to exchange a lever design for one sans lever. But it takes more substantial plumbing work to add a lever drain stopper due to the connection with the overflow pipe.

You’ll also want to consider ease of use when choosing a drain stopper. For example, some people prefer a toe-touch stopper because they can open and close it without having to bend over. Finally, you’ll have to consider what your drain can accommodate. A flip-it stopper, for instance, cannot be plugged into drains with built-in strainers.

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How To Remove A Tub Drain Stopper

If you’re trying to clean your bathtub drain of clogged hair and your drain is covered by a tub drain stopper, you’re probably getting frustrated. Tub drain stoppers are difficult pieces to remove and WD-40 won’t help ease open any screws. Plumbers have specialized tools to remove the drain stopper, but if you want to do it yourself, there’s a makeshift way . Read the steps listed below and learn about how you can remove a tub drain stopper yourself.

All you need are slipknot pliers and a sturdy screwdriver.

Here’s what to do:

Choose your tools It’s easy to make your own homemade tub drain remover. Go into your toolbox and pick out a pair of slipknot pliers small enough to fit inside your drain. Also take out a sturdy screwdriver that will withstand a bit of muscle power. You won’t be using the screwdriver for screws — just as a tool for leverage.

Position the slipknot pliers With the handle end going first, place the pliers into the drain. There is an X-shaped arm inside the pipe. You want to get the arms of the pliers to latch onto the X. Approximately half of the pliers should be hidden by the pipe.

Position the screwdriver Place the screwdriver between the handles of the pliers.

Unscrew the drain Using the screwdriver as a handle and the pliers as a wrench around the X-shaped arm, unscrew the tub drain stopper. It may require some effort to ease the tight grip inside, but once you get it, the drain stopper should come out easily .

How To Remove Bathroom Sink Stopper Properly

How to Remove Pop Up Tub Stopper. Easy Method!

After locating and identifying what kind of bathroom sink stopper you have, locate the stopper lever on the sink or bathroom countertop, turn it to the open position, and remove it. You can then use a wrench, pliers, or a screwdriver to remove it. Afterward, your bathroom sink stopper can be cleaned or replaced.

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Remove The Drain Basket

Once you have removed the drain stopper, you will see the drain basket in the drain opening. The drain basket will have a metal crossbar at the bottom.
To remove the drain basket, you will need either locking pliers or a tub drain wrench. A drain wrench is a drain removal tool that is form-fitted to drain basket crossbars. It greatly reduces the risk of accidentally breaking the crossbar.
If you are using a drain wrench, insert the drain wrench into the drain and turn it counterclockwise to unscrew the drain basket.
If you are using locking pliers, make sure the pliers are small enough to reach into the drain yet sturdy enough to withstand you turning it. Clamp and lock the pliers onto the center of the metal crossbar and twist them counterclockwise. If you have trouble turning the pliers, gain some extra torque by putting a screwdriver between the plier handles and using the screwdriver to turn the pliers.
Bathtub drains usually have a long, deep thread that may take some time to unscrew. Be patient when removing and replacing a bathtub drain.

Tip: The drain basket is sealed with plumbers putty. Soften the putty with a hairdryer first to make the drain basket easier to remove.

Different Methods For Removing Bathroom Sink Stoppers

To replace or clean your bathroom stopper or simply remove it to access the drain no matter your current skill level, you can use the following methods:

Using Pliers:

First, turn off the water supply to the sink.
Then, on the sink or countertop, locate the stopper lever and turn it to the open position.
To remove the stopper from the drain, use pliers to grasp and twist it counterclockwise before pulling it up.
If the stopper gets stuck, use a plunger to pry it free. You may have to wiggle it horizontally before being able to get it out of the sink.

When using pliers, use caution to avoid when twisting them to avoid damaging the sink or the stopper.

Using a Screwdriver:

To begin, turn off the water supply to the sink.
Turn the stopper lever on the sink or countertop to the open position.
Locate the small set screw on the stopper and remove it with the screwdriver.
Take the stopper out of the drain.

When using the screwdriver, take care not to damage the screw or scratch the sink.

Using a Special Tool or Basin Wrench:

Turn off the water supply to the sink first.
Locate the stopper nut beneath the sink.
To loosen and remove the stopper nut, use the basin wrench.
Take the stopper out of the drain.

This tool was created specifically for this purpose and allows you to remove the stopper by turning a handle without having to put your hands in the sink. To avoid damaging the sink or the stopper, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for using the basin wrench.

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A Diy Guide On How To Remove The Bathtub Drain

Contents

Step 4: Cleaning the tub drain opening

There are several reasons that might make you consider removing the bathtub drain. For instance, the drain fitting may be having a strainer thats preventing you from accessing the drain with a plumbers snake to clear some stubborn clogs.

Or maybe youre planning to upgrade the drain stopper with a better one. Its also likely that the current design of your drain is made of chrome and an update requires a drain made of brass.

Whichever the case, replacing a tub drain demands the removal of the drain flange. The flange is the drains visible part.

Youll find most parts making up the bathtub drain assembly under the bathtub. Luckily, you wont come across many challenges when replacing a drain flange, according to our 24 hour plumber in Sydney.

In case youll have to replace the entire bathtub drain, then youll need to work under the tub area. In some tub designs, you can only access the drain by lifting the bathtub.

In most cases, removing a flange is relatively easy. Its something you can easily do from within the bathtub.

Inspect Clean And Replace The Check Ring

How to Convert Bathtub Drain Lever to a Lift and Turn Drain

Remove the check ring by finding a spot where you can pry underneath it with a screwdriver. Lift on this edge, then pull out any dirt or corrosion that may be inside it. Once clean, reinstall the ring into its original position. Inspect the O-ring for cracks or hardening, and replace it if necessary.

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Aaron Stickley is a licensed plumber with 15 years of experience in commercial, new residential plumbing, and residential service and repair. He started his own residential service and repair plumbing business. Aaron’s articles about plumbing on The Spruce span four years.

The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto

Skill Level: Beginner
Estimated Cost: $0 to $20

Any bathtub drain stopper that doesn’t do its job is an annoying inconvenience. Usually, the problem is easy to fix, though the procedures vary depending on what type of bathtub stopper you have. Some drains have stoppers that are spring-loaded, operated by a push of the toe or hand, while others use a trip-lever mounted on the bathtub’s overflow plate. A trip-lever drain stopper is more tricky than most to fix, due to its somewhat complicated mechanism.

How Do I Correctly Remove A Stopper From A Bathroom Sink

First, locate and determine what kind of stopper you have first then look for the stopper lever on the bathroom sink or countertop. Turn the stopper lever to the open position and remove the stopper with pliers, a screwdriver, or with a basin wrench. Then you can clean the bathroom sink stopper of dirt, debris, and dust. Lubricate the bathroom sink stopper with the plumber’s grease or petroleum jelly before putting it back. Then, as outlined in our guide, clean the sink with warm water and soap.

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Unscrew The Drain Stopper Bolt

To do this, you will need a flathead screwdriver and Allan wrench to unscrew the drain stopper bolt from the threaded hole. It may take a bit of force to get it off. Use the flathead screwdriver and Allen wrench to remove the screw from the center, and don’t remove the entire screw to remove the stopper. The stopper can fall down the drain if you use the entire screw.

How To Remove Drain Stoppers: Your Step

How to remove and replace a bathtub drain stopper

Solyman Najimi | 2021-07-08 01:58:45 -0400

A drain stopper operates normally until it doesn’t. That’s when you notice the water doesn’t drain as fast as before. While it could be a clog, it also could be your clogged sink stopper.

This article covers how to remove a drain stopper and clean and reinstall it. Learn how to skip the plumber and tackle this DIY project head-on.

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Remove The Drain Fitting

Most drain fittings feature a metal X that keeps objects from falling in. If your drain fitting has these crossbars, insert a drain wrench into the cross shape and turn counterclockwise to unscrew it.
You can also try using a pair of needle-nose pliers to grip the X and unscrew the drain fitting. It should be loose enough after a few rotations to be unscrewed the rest of the way by hand. Then just pull it out.
If your drain fitting doesnt have metal crossbars, youll need to remove it with a tub drain extractor thats designed to grip the inside walls of the drain fitting.

How To Clean The Drain Stopper

Now that you know how to remove drain stoppers in the sink and bathtub, it’s time to learn how to clean a dirty stopper. Fortunately, the same cleaning processes work for most drain stoppers.

Keep all screws and small, loose items in a safe place. You can lean on home remedies to clean the stopper. Use at least one of these methods:

Remove the debris by hand.
Rinse the debris with faucet water.
Scrub the drain stopper with a toothbrush and baking soda or dish soap liquid, then rinse the debris with water.
Soak the drain stopper for 30 minutes in a bowl filled with either a cup of white vinegar, cleaning vinegar, dish liquid, or a cup each of baking soda and vinegar. Then, scrub the contents with a toothbrush. Rinse the debris off with water.

Afterward, dry the stopper with a washcloth or paper towel. While the drain pipe is open, use a fresh cup of each vinegar and baking soda to clean the clogged pipes. If you see debris, use pliers to pull the gunk out. You can also use a coat hanger, plunger, or drain snake.

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How To Remove A Trip Lever Or Plunger Style Stopper

This drain stopper may look easy to remove, but that’s the opposite. It’s one of the types of bathtub drain stoppers that proves to be difficult to remove. Trip lever drain stoppers have levers located on the overflow faceplate. If you trip the lever, the plunger will move up and down.

When the plunger is up, water will flow into the drainage system, but when the plunger is down, it will form a seal inside the drainpipe to stop the water flow. These drain stoppers are prone to clogging and can be troublesome to remove and replace because of their compact assembly. Here’s how to remove a trip lever drain stopper:

How To Remove An Old Bathtub Drain Stopper

If you need to repair or replace your bathtub drain stopper that has broken, This Old House provides step-by-step instructions for taking one out. You should start by covering the tub and drain with old towels, as you wont want scratches on the surface or screws falling into your pipes. Find the clip holding the overflow cover plate to the plunger rod and remove that you may need to use a screwdriver to loosen and remove it.

Now, you can try to pull out the whole stopper assembly. Lowery Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning recommends spraying WD-40 into the overflow drainpipe where the plunger is located, as this can help loosen things. You can use a pair of pliers to grip the rod pull straight up instead of at an angle and use more lubricant if needed. If the drain refuses to come out, you might want to buy a tub drain remover wrench these are made to remove and install tub drains without scratching the surface.