Have you ever stood in your tub waiting impatiently for the water to drain, watching it swirl almost mockingly around the drain so slowly that you wonder if it’s even moving at all? Eager to know how to remove bathtub drain. I’ve been there, my soaked friend. Few things are more annoying than a bathtub drain that can’t keep up with the demands of bath time.
When your drain gets clogged with hair, soap scum, and who knows what else, it can bring your whole bathing routine to a frustrating standstill. But don’t pull the plug on baths just yet! Replacing that sluggish drain is easier than you might expect. Just follow these steps and you’ll once again enjoy waterfall-fast drainage.
Gear Up
Before you can get elbow-deep into your drain, you need the right gear. Gather the troops – ahem, I mean tools – for a successful mission:
- Bucket – to catch any water in the pipe
- Wrench – to loosen the drain top
- Allen wrenches – to remove the drain trip lever
- Plumber’s putty
- Teflon tape
- Channel lock pliers – to tighten connections
- Flashlight – to peer into your watery abyss
- Shop vacuum – to suck out dripping drain water
You’ll also need a new dream drain you’ll install. I suggest getting a click-seal drain with built-in stopper. These innovative drains seal watertight with a simple click and never let leaks or clogs dampen your shower joy.
Drain the Pipes
Before you dismantle your drain, prepare for some spillage. I learned this the messy way – water flowing everywhere while I frantically tried plugging the pipe with rags! Let my failure guide you.
To drain the pipes:
- Turn off the water supply lines under the tub spout. This prevents a mini tsunami when you unscrew the drain top.
- Place the bucket under the drain.
- Unscrew the horizontal elbow piece connecting the overflow plate and drain bottom. It’s time to let the leftover water flow into the bucket
- Unscrew the drain top piece within the tub. Watch out – it still may hold standing water!
Pro Tip: Keep a towel handy to catch drips and drabs as you work. Getting soaked once is silly. Choosing to stay soaked? Just Strange.
Remove the Drain Assembly
Now comes the nitty gritty of wrestling the drain free. Don’t worry, I’ll walk you through it!
- Use a wrench to loosen the locking nut under the tub. This metal ring clamps the drain bottom in place. Loosen it completely and set it aside.
- Next remove the rubber gasket around the drain underside. No need to keep this piece since your new drain will come with fresh rubber seals.
- Unscrew the tailpiece from the drain bottom. Use your channel locks to grip the nuts on this threaded section and avoid scratching the chrome.
- Disconnect the pop-up lever. Remove any screws or rings connecting the device to the tailpiece. Set all the disassembled pieces aside. We won’t miss them one bit!
Now here comes the most satisfying part – pulling the drain free! Reach into the holeexposed when you removed gaskets and screws. Grip the edges of the drain bottom and tailpiece still wedged in the tub. Wiggle them back and forth while pulling straight up. Feel that suction release its clingy grip!
scrape and pry around the drain edges if needed to break the seal. Give it some muscle! With one final heave-ho, the drain pops loose. Huzzah! You just leveled up your DIY skills.
Clear the Pipe and Inspect
Almost to the home stretch! With the drain gone, shine your flashlight into the open pipe. Make sure it’s clear of gunk and corrosion. Use a pipe brush or hook to pull out lingering hair and grime. Give the vacant hole a quick wipe with a dry rag before moving on.
While you’re peering into the void, check that the drain shoe is intact. This is the curved metal piece lining the hole about halfway down. Water will pour onto this ramp, so any cracks could cause leaks. Make sure it’s properly soldered in place.
Install the New Drain Assembly
I hope you unpacked your new drain because it’s time for this beauty to take the plunge! Just reverse the steps you used to remove hardware.
- First apply plumber’s putty around the drain bottom flange. Really pack this putty into any gaps or imperfections on the surface. This seals leaks between the tub and drain.
- Lower the drain into the hole and press to adhere to the putty seal.
- From under the tub, slide the rubber gasket over the drain bottom.
- Thread the locking nut and tailpiece piece onto the drain. Hand-tighten all the connecting nuts and bolts.
- Attach any click mechanisms for pop-up stoppers on the tailpiece.
- Use channel locks to tighten the locking nut underneath snugly. Don’t Hulk out – just a 1/4 turn beyond hand tight. This secures the assembly without risking cracks.
- Wrap Teflon plumber’s tape around pipe joints on the tailpiece, around the horizontal elbow, and the tub spout. This tape prevents leaks.
- Connect all pieces and hand tighten. Go slowly to avoid cross-threading pipes.
- Use channel locks to give joints a final snug twist, adding 1/4 turn past hand tight.
Take a breath. Wow, you really did that! Before testing your work, let the plumber’s putty dry for about an hour.
Test Time
The drain is set, seals are dry – let the testing begin!
- Turn the main water supply back on. Check for drips and leaks from pipes or seals. Tighten joints if needed.
- Remove the drain stopper and plug the drain hole. Then fill the tub with about 2” of water. Inspect the drain and surrounding tub area for any drips. The putty should fully seal the flange to tub.
- Open the drain and eyeball the water spiral. Make sure it flows freely without gurgling or backwashing up the pipes. You want a vigorous whirlpool into oblivion. Ah, sweet success!
Give Yourself a Pat on the Back!
Approaching a home repair task like replacing a bathtub drain may seem intimidating. But as you’ve learned, taking how to remove bathtub drain step-by-step reveals it’s quite manageable! The key is gathering the proper gear, carefully disassembling hardware, thoroughly cleaning pipes, methodically installing the new fixture, and testing for leaks.
While it takes time and diligence to fix a leaking sewer pipe in the basement, the eventual outcome is well worth it – a dry and odor-free space where fast-draining water ensures that baths become oases of relaxation once again! By mastering basic plumbing skills like removing and replacing a tub drain, over time, you’ll gain the confidence to tackle repairs or updates throughout your entire home. Way to take the plunge into a new DIY talent, transforming your home into a haven of comfort and functionality!
FAQs
What if my drain shoe is corroded and needs replacing?
Carefully pry out the damaged drain shoe using a flathead screwdriver. Scrape off old plumber’s putty or wipe clean with mineral spirits. Apply new putty to the flange areas and press into place by hand. Let dry completely before re-installing pipes. Consider having a plumber sweat solder connections.
Why does my newly installed drain still drain slowly?
Double check that all gaskets and seals are tight with no leaks. Use a zip-it tool and boiling water to remove lingering soap scum or hair in the pipe. Be patient – the P-trap area may hold a bit of water temporarily before plunging downpipes. If issues persist, disassemble and re-check alignments.
What causes my bathtub to gurgle when draining?
Gurgling sounds usually indicate a partially clogged vent stack. This vertical pipe evenly displaces air pressure as water runs down drains. Use a pipe snake to clear any obstructions in the vent stack. Pouring a kettle of hot water down the tub drain can also dissolve buildups.
Can I convert my popup drain to a toe-tap stopper?
Yes! Many click-seal drains allow you to switch out parts to convert between toe taps and pop-up stoppers. Buy a conversion kit for around $10 and follow the included instructions to change your drain’s push/pull rod to a horizontal toe-tap lever.
How can I remove rust stains around my drain?
Mix cream of tartar and hydrogen peroxide into a gritty paste. Use an old toothbrush to scrub the rust-stained areas with this mixture. Rinse thoroughly. For tougher stains, wipe lemon juice and salt on spots, allow to sit for 5 minutes, then scrub with baking soda paste. Just don’t mix chemicals!