How to Unscrew Bathtub Drain

A clogged or slow-draining bathtub can be a nuisance that prevents you from enjoying a relaxing soak. Often, the cause of the clog is right under the drain – a buildup of hair, soap scum, and other gunk in the drainpipe. Unscrewing the bathtub drain gives you access to clean it out.

While it may seem daunting, unscrewing a tub drain is an easy DIY project that anyone can tackle in less than an hour with the right tools and techniques. In this guide, I’ll walk you through removing and unscrewing a bathtub drain.

Before You Start

Before diving into unscrewing the drain, take a few minutes to prepare so the project goes smoothly:

Gather Your Tools

You’ll need a few simple tools:

• Adjustable pliers or tongue-and-groove pliers – to loosen the drain cap
• Screwdriver – to remove drain screws
• Old towel – to prevent scratches and catch drips
• Container – to hold small drain parts
• Penetrating oil (optional) – to loosen a stuck drain

Plug the Overflow Hole

Before removing the drain, especially during bathtub drain removal, plug the overflow hole (the smaller opening near the drain) to prevent small parts from falling in. Stuff a rag or towel into the overflow opening to block it temporarily. This precaution ensures a smoother disassembly process and avoids any potential issues caused by small parts getting lost during the removal.

Check for Trip Lever Stopper

Many bathtub drains have a trip lever stopper that controls water flow. This must be removed first by loosening the setscrew holding it in place. Look for a small screw on the side or top of the drain. Remove this to free up the stopper.

Clear Space to Work

Removing a drain can get messy, so lay some towels around the tub before beginning. Have a container ready to hold small parts—clear access to the drain by removing items stored under bathroom sinks.

Now you’re ready to tackle unscrewing the tub drain! The process involves just three main steps: taking apart the drain, unscrewing the shoe, and removing drain pieces.

Taking Apart the Drain

The first part of the process is taking apart the drain fittings and components above the surface.

1. Remove the drain cap. The drain cap is the decorative cover surrounding the drain. Insert pliers into the cap’s edges and turn counterclockwise to unscrew it. This may be on tightly, so don’t be afraid to give it some force.
2. Take out the screw. Under the cap, you’ll see a screw holding parts of the drain in place. Use a screwdriver to turn this counterclockwise and remove it.
3. Extract the rod and stopper. The screw was holding the pivot rod and a round rubber stopper. Pull these straight up to remove them from the drain.

Once you’ve disassembled the fittings above the surface, the tub shoe below should be accessible.

Unscrewing the Shoe

The shoe is the piece that anchors the drain to the bottom of the tub. It’s attached by a large nut that needs to be loosened.

1. Stabilize the shoe. Take your pliers and grip the edges of the shoe firmly. It would be best to prevent the shoe from turning as you unscrew the nut.
2. Loosen the nut. With one hand holding the shoe steady, use your other hand to turn the nut counterclockwise. Some penetrating oil or a little muscle may help break it free.
3. Unscrew the nut completely. Keep turning the nut counterclockwise until it is completely disengaged from the bottom of the shoe. It should unscrew and come away ultimately.
4. Remove the shoe. With the nut removed, you can now lift the tub shoe straight up to remove it. Congratulations – you’ve detached the drain from the tub!

Removing Drain Pieces

I am almost done! The final step is to remove any remaining pieces from the drain pipe below the surface.

1. Extract the washer. There is likely a rubber washer still fitted into the drain opening. Use needle-nose pliers to grip and pull straight up to remove this.
2. Check for a coupling nut. Some drains have an additional nut wedged in the drain pipe a few inches down. Feel around with your fingers – if present, turn this counterclockwise to remove it.
3. Remove grime buildup. Grab some paper towels and reach into the pipe to wipe out any hair, soap scum, or gunk. This is the likely source of your clogged drain.
4. Rinse the pipe. Flush clear water down the open drain pipe to rinse away any remaining debris and clean the pipe walls.

With all pieces removed, the tub drain is now fully accessible for cleaning.

Cleaning and Reassembling

With the drain disassembled, you can thoroughly clean the pipe and fittings before putting it all back together. Here’s how to complete the job:

• Scrub all pieces with a drain brush and baking soda/vinegar solution.
• Rinse away any grime and let pieces fully dry.
• Apply the plumber’s putty to seal the shoe and prevent leaks.
• Replace washers, nuts, and fittings in reverse order.
• Hand-tighten all pieces, then finish tightening with your pliers.
• Run water to test for leaks and proper drainage.

Taking your time to clean all components and reassemble them fully ensures your drain will operate smoothly for years before needing to be unscrewed again.

5 Key Takeaways for Unscrewing a Tub Drain

To summarize, the key things to keep in mind when tackling this project are:

1. Gather pliers, screwdrivers, towels, and a container before starting.
2. Plug the overflow hole so you don’t lose pieces.
3. Remove any trip lever and pop-up stopper mechanisms first.
4. Support the shoe with pliers as you unscrew the nut.
5. Fully clean and dry all pieces before reassembling.

Following these steps will allow you to unscrew your bathtub drain for cleaning. Are you stuck on one of the steps? Take a look below at some commonly asked questions.

FAQs

How do I get the drain cap off if it’s stuck?

Penetrating oil around the edges can help loosen a stubborn drain cap. Allow it to soak in for 15-20 minutes. Tap firmly with a wrench while turning to help break the seal. Protect the tub surface with a towel.

What if the shoe nut won’t budge at all?

Nuts that won’t budge usually need some persuasion. Try spraying lubricant around the nut and let it penetrate for 15 minutes. Use a breaker bar or cheater bar to get extra leverage on your pliers while turning.

What should I do if the shoe or nut starts stripping?

If you can’t get the nut or shoe loose without stripping it, stop trying to turn it. Apply a penetrating solvent and allow it to soak overnight to loosen the corrosion. If needed, you may need to hammer a chisel into the stripped screw to break the rust seal before trying again.

I can’t reach the washer or coupling nut to remove them. Now what?

Use an attachment on your vacuum hose or a pipe snake brush to remove them if you can’t grip them with fingers or pliers. Or detach the P-trap under the sink – this allows you access to the tub drain line to retrieve them.

What’s the best way to prevent my drain from getting clogged again?

Pouring baking soda and vinegar down the drain monthly helps break up grime before it accumulates. Use a hair catcher and avoid pouring grease down the drain. Check the drainpipe periodically for buildup.

The Takeaway

Like many home repairs, unscrewing a tub drain looks more intimidating than it is. With a bit of preparation and elbow grease, it’s a straightforward DIY job. Following the steps above will allow you to take apart, clean, and remove even the most stubborn bathtub drain.

Next time you face a clogged drain, muster your courage and go for it! Whether it’s tackling how to unclog a bathroom sink drain or any plumbing woe, taking control of the situation brings immense satisfaction. Don’t let buildup cause you grief – a little effort saves the hassle and cost of calling a plumber.

So grab your tools, plug that overflow hole, and battle that bathtub drain. A relaxing bubble bath awaits on the other side!