How to remove the tub drain stopper

Remove your tub's stopper to fix pipes and clear drain clogs. The bathtub plays an essential role in the home. It provides space to bathe kids and pets without making a mess, but it also gives adults the option to lie back and relax while they take a soak.

Your tub stopper is such a small part of your bathroom overall, yet can cause big headaches when it isn't functioning properly. If you need help figuring out how to remove or replace your tub drain stopper, you've come to the right place. Your friends at PlumbingSupply. These stoppers operate without a trip lever mechanism and are generally the easiest kind to remove or replace since they do not require the removal of the trip lever. Read the descriptions below to help you further determine which style of stopper you have.

How to remove the tub drain stopper

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. Drain stoppers are made to sit inside the drain, so most products actually reduce the flow of water through the drain as soon as they are installed, though this reduction in water flow is rarely noticed as long as the drain stopper does not become clogged with dirt, hair , and other debris. Unfortunately, the size, shape, and mechanism of drain stoppers often increase the likelihood that they will catch this loose debris, so it's important to regularly remove the stopper for cleaning. Another reason for removing the drain stopper is to fix or replace it. If a piece of the drain stopper mechanism becomes worn out or broken, then you lose the ability to properly close and open the stopper. At this point, it's necessary to take the drain stopper out and either replace the broken part or replace the entire stopper. Though, it's important to understand exactly how the various types of drain stoppers are installed and how to remove them before attempting to undertake any repair projects. There are several different types of drain stoppers, including lift-and-turn, push-and-pull, toe-touch, flip-it, trip-lever, and pop-up. While many models have a similar removal method, it's a good idea to learn the specific process for the type that is installed in your tub or sink to avoid damaging the drain stopper and the surrounding plumbing. A lift-and-turn drain stopper can usually be identified by a small, threaded knob on the top of the stopper. This style of drain stopper is similar to a push-and-pull stopper, except the knob on a push-and-pull stopper is fixed in place in order for the user to push the stopper down or pull the stopper up. The knob on a lift-and-turn drain stopper rotates to the left and right. Typically, turning the knob to the left clockwise will close the drain, and turning it to the right counterclockwise while lifting will open the drain, though differences can exist from product to product.

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Have you noticed that your bathtub is draining slowly? If water is pooling at your feet every time you take a shower, you likely have a clogged drain. When you suspect that you have a drain clog in your shower, taking care of it is of the utmost importance. However, some bathtubs have drain stoppers that can be difficult to work around. Removing the drain stopper will help you get a closer look at whatever is causing the problem.

Solyman Najimi 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. There are several types of drain stoppers , and it's important to know which type you have in your bathroom before you begin. Every type has different removal and cleaning instructions. Also called a twist-and- pull stopper , this drain stopper is challenging because there are multiple ways to remove it.

How to remove the tub drain stopper

Have you noticed that your bathtub is draining slowly? If water is pooling at your feet every time you take a shower, you likely have a clogged drain. When you suspect that you have a drain clog in your shower, taking care of it is of the utmost importance. However, some bathtubs have drain stoppers that can be difficult to work around.

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When the lever is flipped to the open position, it compresses the spring, which pushes down on the rocker arm and pops up the plug. Step 4 Lift the stopper off the post. Chances are good that you can remove and even replace your stopper on your own. If the set screw is removed and it will still not slide off the post, then there may be a calcium water build-up between the stopper and the post. This might take you a couple of tries since the stopper will want to rotate with the pressure. Similar to trip-lever stoppers, a pop-up stopper has a complicated assembly that is threaded through the overflow drain. When you suspect that you have a drain clog in your shower, taking care of it is of the utmost importance. A representative will be in touch with you shortly. The drain stopper can now be inspected for any damage, like a warped plug, rusted fastening screw, or cracked lid. With the rocker arm in place, insert the spring and rod assembly into the overflow drain. How to Remove a Pop-Up Stopper.

Last Updated: December 4, References. This article was co-authored by Greg Jeiranyan. With over 10 years of professional experience, Greg and his team specialize in residential and commercial plumbing service calls.

If your stopper has a set screw and will not pull off the post then try loosening the set screw a little more. If your bathtub is draining slowly, there may be a buildup of hair, soap, and other gunk clogging the drain. If you aren't interested in replacing or are unable to replace your entire drain assembly, we offer a number of conversion kits that fit right over your existing drain. These choices will be signaled to our partners and will not affect browsing data. Please describe your service needs:. If the stopper is in good condition, then clean the drain and stopper with a bathroom cleaning solution to remove hair, soap scum , dirt, grime, and other debris. If the lever is not already in the open position, then flip the lever or rotate it to fully open the drain. Thank you for contacting us! 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. Others are just one unit threaded into the crossbar. We hope you didn't throw away that little suction cup your drain came with!