Paper towles. At this point, you feel it’s challenging to continue rotating it. Lubricating the threads would be almost impossible. The connection needs to be tight to prevent leaks, but tightening it too much risks cracking the tub or breaking the seal. Next, rotate the head in a counterclockwise direction to detach it fully from the crossbar. Allow to dry before beginning installation of the new drain flange. Clean the tailpiece threads with a toothbrush. It’s something you can easily do from within the bathtub. You’ll find a nut on the key and this is where you’ll clamp the wrench. Once the screw is removed, you can detach the knob. \ You can try using a strainer wrench. You can find any of these drain removal tools from your local plumbing or hardware store. Pres-flo stoppers are the easiest drain stoppers to remove. Next, take the drain key and insert it into the tub drain opening. In some tub designs, you can only access the drain by lifting the bathtub. Keep turning until the flange comes loose and you can remove it. Pro Tip: If the drain is stubborn and won't budge (even with the proper tools), heating the flange with a hair dryer on high/hot may soften the putty that's sealing the flange to the tub. Fit the tub drain wrench over the center cross of the new drain and turn the flange clockwise. Take a screwdriver or hex wrench and use it to loosen the stopper setscrew. The pipe will assist in creating more leverage to unscrew the drain flange. Before beginning please note: There are many variables to consider when it comes to your home's plumbing - this guide is intended to provide a basic understanding, and may not cover all circumstances. In case your drain design doesn’t feature a crossbar, then you’ll need to use a sturdy drain extractor or drain key. Here’s how to remove stoppers depending on their designs: To remove this stopper, grasp its head with your hand when the stopper is in the closed or open position. 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. Step 1First, remove the stopper. This even happens with a baby bathtub, especially when you decide to use the same one you used for … The basket, also known as a flange, is sealed with plumber’s putty. Thus, the best chance you have is applying more force. A Bathtub Drain Wrench if you cant use pliers. Hi, we recently remodeled the bathroom and decided to not replace the bathtub. Step 2 - Remove the Drain Flange Copyright 2020 Fast Plumbers | All Rights Reserved |, Tools You’ll Need To Remove The Bathtub Drain, Start with removing the tub drain stopper, Step 1: Start with cleaning the opening of the drain, Step 2: Locking the tool for removing the drain, Step 3: Turning the drain flange counterclockwise, How to Get Rid of Cockroaches from Your Home. To remove the drain flange, use a strainer wrench or a pair of needle-nose pliers. Keep your pipes clean, and your floors dry by sticking to these five simple steps. The first thing that you want to do when you are thinking about replacing your bathtub drain is inspect the popup and see if you can remove it by hand. The waste and overflow cover on the sides of the tub should be undone with a screwdriver. You’ll need the following tools for the job: To do this, clean any hair and soap scum that may have accumulated on the drain. You’ll find most parts making up the bathtub drain assembly under the bathtub. The first thing you should do before removing the flange is to detach the tub drain stopper. Then take a wrench and clamp it onto the key. That drain elbow connects to a length of pipe that then connects to the waste and overflow pipe. For instance, the drain fitting may be having a strainer that’s preventing you from accessing the drain with a plumber’s snake to clear some stubborn clogs. The new bathtub drain. A small drain snake or piece of wire. Doing so will soften the putty that may have hardened within the threads, thereby making it easier to turn the flange. In order to perform the removal of the flange, you will need to access the sink from the bottom. Step 2Insert the Drain Key or the Smart Dumbell into the drain. Between the underside of the flange and the tub surface, there's a good amount of plumbers putty that seals the inside of the drain. The Premier Online Plumbing Supplier Since 1995, Same day shipping for in-stock orders processed by 7pm EST M-F. OR - find plumbing supplies starting with: Drain Key or Smart Dumbell tub drain removal tool, complete tutorial for using these drain tools. Get a wrench and clamp it to the nut located on the key. Insert the removal tool into the drain body, also known as the flange. Squeeze the new gasket into one side of the drain, then push the other side into place. To proceed, you’ll need to use a pair of pliers to remove the securing nut from the basket. Remove the tub spout since this will be on a portion of the wall you'll be cutting away. Next, lift the drain stopper from the post. Once done, take a screwdriver and insert it through the dumbbell to work as a simple lever for easier operation. Once you remove the knob, use a sturdy screwdriver to unscrew the crossbar post. Wrap the putty around the lip of the replacement drain basket. Pro Tip: If the drain is stubborn and won't budge (even with the proper tools), heating the flange with a hair dryer on high/hot may soften the putty that's sealing the flange to the tub. In many cases though, it isn’t that easy. You may be looking to replace a bathtub drain flange because it is unsightly, or maybe it is leaking. Insert a drain key into the bathtub drain basket. When you remove the old stopper you may pull up hair and/or other debris, so be sure to have a container or bucket handy to place your dirty parts into since this can get messy! If it's not apparent, you can find out how to remove your stopper here. Turn your hair dryer on “hot” or “warm” and let it blow on the drain basket (where the stopper was) for a few minutes. Be careful not to cross thread! Note: The use of thread sealers, like PTFE tape, is not needed for this application. Drain flanges come in many different finishes and have a variety of stopper options for filling the tub. In case it’ll be necessary, slip a steel pipe on the wrench or screw handle to extend its length. Next, engage its tines with a strainer or crossbar. For instance, one such tool is a dumbbell. Before you dive in, it's important to familiarize yourself with a tub drain system. Insert a screwdriver through the holes in the sides of the key and use it as a lever to turn the flange counterclockwise. To do so, use a flathead screwdriver to gently pry out the old gasket. The tailpiece is the piping beneath the tub and is connected to the main drain pipe within the bathroom wall. Next, take a sponge and use it to clean the interior of the flange. Once done, use the wrench to turn the drain removal key counterclockwise. Doing so will make the stopper pop out. A rubber gasket underneath the tub seals the drain elbow to the tub. There is an expansive tool to remove them, but if the cross is missing, that often means that someone has already tried to remove it and failed, so even the new tool might not do it. Remove the drain flange with a dedicated drain flange removal tool, or stick a pair of needle nose pliers in the drain flange, twist counterclockwise, and pull. However, they are slightly different. Continue turning the key counterclockwise until its wings touch the inner drain. Over the years, through corrosion or wear and tear, it can leak, rust away or become broken. This is a great tool when the inside supports are still in place. Replacing the flange is a relatively simple project, but if you haven't done it before you may have a tough time knowing where to begin. Some plumbers can successfully use a regular hammer to remove the drain, but this is only possible with certain hammers and drains. The flange is typically screwed into the tailpiece of the drain. Some manufacturers refer to the drain flange as a "drain body" or "drain basket". The gasket underneath the tub helps to complete the seal between the two pieces. Step 10Install the tub stopper, if needed. Slowly turn the drain clockwise to catch the first few threads of the drain elbow underneath the tub. Tip # 1 - Use the Right Tools. Once clean, you’ll be able to see the bathtub drain opening and flange clearly. If you’re unable to turn the flange, use a hairdryer to apply heat on the flange for some minutes. It’s held in place by a single screw, so take a screwdriver, loosen it, and lift the cover out of the way. A pair of channel lock pliers will be needed to detach the pipes found under the T-shape placed at the intersection of the drain … Wrap this underneath the lip of the new flange, making sure that it reaches all the way around. If it's not, you'll need to replace it (available below). Remove the gunk around the tub drain. Next, turn it using a pair of pliers. Plumbing supply houses sell a simple tool that works very well for this purpose. Unscrew the bathtub drain flange, which is the part of the drain you see on the bottom of the tub, after first unscrewing and removing the strainer if there is one. Turn the drain removal tool in a counterclockwise direction to unscrew the drain flange. You will need to replace a leaking bathtub drain flange as soon as you discover it, otherwise you risk having water damage to the floor in your bathroom.. Step 5Underneath the tub will be a rubber gasket that creates a seal for the drain elbow. At those times, you may need to replace it, which requires to remove the drain stopper or flange at first. To do this, clean any hair and soap scum that may have accumulated on the drain. To start, make sure that the retaining nut is off. Then rotate the knob counterclockwise. From time to time, the bathroom or kitchen sink drain may stop working. A bathtub drain flange is the finished drain part that's visible in the tub. Items needed to remove and replace a modern screw in bath tub drain (not all drains are like this). Keep in mind when attempting to complete a plumbing project yourself that it's easy to "open a can of worms" - you need to be prepared if your simple project suddenly gets out of hand. Finally, install the new flange. Use a screwdriver to disconnect and remove the tub's waste and overflow valve cover. At this stage, it gets harder to move. Insert the handles into the drain so they are against the nubs, then turn those pliers by putting a pipe wrench, large adjustable wrench, or another set of pliers on the jaws of those pliers (which are pointing up) and turn counter-clockwise. You use the handles of the pliers, adjusted to the width of the throat of the tub drain, as spanners. In case you’ll have to replace the entire bathtub drain, then you’ll need to work under the tub area. Following the instructions for the tool, turn counterclockwise. 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's enamel/finish. Flip-Lever Drain Stoppers . To replace this, the drain basket needs to be removed. You might need more effort to remove other stopper designs. In case you don’t find a setscrew, unscrew the whole stopper unit using a wrench or your fingers. As the diagram at rightabove shows, the flange is held in place with a threaded connection to the drain elbow (aka drain shoe). For your convenience, we offer a complete tutorial for using these drain tools. Put your drain key into the opening of the drain in your bath. Do this carefully, so as not to squeeze the gasket underneath the tub out of place. It’s also likely that the current design of your drain is made of chrome and an update requires a drain made of brass. In most cases, a bathtub drain basket has been screwed into place. You can use a screwdriver to loosen the screw. Is there something else you are looking for? Use the putty knife to remove excess plumber’s putty. Some spouts have a … Tip # 1 - Use the Right Tools. The only problem is asthetic: the drain flange polish seems to have worn off through the years. Stop rotating the flange once the top face of the flange sits even or slightly below the tub surface. How to Remove a Broken Tub Drain Basket. Step 8Once the flange is carefully threaded into the first few threads of the drain elbow, use the Smart Dumbell to hand-tighten the flange into the drain elbow until tight. Step 4 Clean drain area, making sure to remove all old putty residue. There are several types of drain stopper, all of which can be removed very easily. The flange is the drain’s visible part. If so, you’ll be unable to apply enough torque to turn it. In this case, simply grasp the lever and pull it upwards, then pull it backwards to release the lever rocker arm. The most important thing to remember is that a drain wrench is an important tool, so it’s worth picking one up. With this type of drain stopper, you’ll need to rotate it until a setscrew becomes visible on its knob. Try not to disturb the drain elbow while doing this: if the drain elbow becomes misaligned, you risk having to access the underside of the tub to realign the shoe and gasket. However, the main challenge with this method is that a screwdriver might not make a tight contact onto the crossbars. Next, take a sponge and use it to clean the interior of the flange. Excess putty can be put back into the container to be used another time. This may be something challenging to do, especially due to hardened putty and calcium deposits that create resistance. Step 6Roll a piece of plumbers putty in your hands that is about the same thickness of a pencil. A dumbbell looks like a key and fits well between the crossbars in the flange. However, that might not be very easy. The tailpiece is sometimes referred to as the tub show. We aspire that these life hack techniques will come handy for your removal of the kitchen sink or bathroom drain flange at ease and conveniently. Clean the drain opening on the tub with a rag and acetone to remove dirt, debris and old plumber's putty. Or maybe you’re planning to upgrade the drain stopper with a better one. Before attempting any DIY plumbing project in your home, know the access points to your plumbing. It seats into the drain and has a solid place to put a wrench so you can turn it out. This will make it difficult to remove your bathtub drain. -- A caution, however: Use some WD-40 around the flange to help loosen the corrosion, and get a helper with a wrench to hold the nut on the bottom of the tub. The exterior part of the flange is usually threaded. In most cases, removing a flange is relatively easy. If your stopper is the pres-flo type, then you’ll simply grasp the stopper knob (if any) or the stopper itself and pull it up. Screw the new drain basket in by hand and tighten it with the pliers or drain wrench. Turn your wrench anticlockwise until the wings touch the inside of the drain. Next, use your household cleaner to wipe off any rust or gunk. You may get lucky and the drain flange may unscrew easily. Step 7Place the flange in the drain hole. If the flange has crossbars, loosen it with a tool called a drain key, which hooks onto the crossbars and has holes that allow you to insert a screwdriver to use as a handle. In case you are using a dumbbell, you’ll need to insert it through the drain. For instance, if the drain has some crossbars, then you can use a sturdy screwdriver between the crossbars and turn the screwdriver to unscrew the flange. You’ll simply turn it using a screwdriver or wrench as the lever. Then unscrew the drain post. This is in the sink drain basket. Remove the gunk around the tub drain. Whichever the case, replacing a tub drain demands the removal of the drain flange. Have a plumber's number handy, and don't be ashamed to use it! To remove a drain flange, it‘s best to use a drain removal tool. If you're using a drain key, insert it in the opening of the old drain. In case the drain is blocked, you can remove the hair using the zip-it drain tool. In that case a hacksaw blade, or saber saw, along with a hammer and chisel may be the only way to remove it. Step 3Keep turning drain counterclockwise until the old drain is released - it shouldn't take too many turns before the drain comes right out. Step 9Remove any excess plumbers putty that may be squeezed out around the edge of the flange with a putty knife. The threads are threaded into the drain’s tailpiece. It’s much easier to remove the drain by using tools that are specially designed to remove drains. In case your bathtub comes with a lever at the back, then you’ll simply lift it to detach the stopper. Perhaps, the drain flange has stayed for too long and has begun to wear. For this stopper, you’ll need to open it by first grasping the head using one hand and grasping the shaft using a wrench or with your other hand. Step 4Clean drain area, making sure to remove all old putty residue. In case it’s stuck, wrap a dry rag or piece of cloth around it. Use a flat type of screwdriver or putty knife to remove old putty from the drain opening. Once clean, you’ll be able to see the bathtub drain opening and flange clearly. Once the tool grips the flange, you can use a wrench to turn it. Replacing your bathtub drain. Both the Drain Key and the Smart Dumbell essentially work the same; you insert them into the drain and turn counterclockwise to release the old tub drain. Step 11Pat yourself on the back - you have now successfully installed your new drain flange! Enjoy a celebratory soak. There are several reasons that might make you consider removing the bathtub drain. When removing the flange, you’ll simply unscrew it gently from the drain’s tailpiece. Step 1 - Remove the Drain Cover The drain flange is usually hidden by a cover that acts both as a strainer and ornamental concealment. 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