Lubricating the threads would be almost impossible. Youâll need the following tools for the job: To do this, clean any hair and soap scum that may have accumulated on the drain. Insert a screwdriver through the holes in the sides of the key and use it as a lever to turn the flange counterclockwise. 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.. Once the tool grips the flange, you can use a wrench to turn it. If the tub has a screen, simply pry underneath the screen with a small flat-head screwdriver to pop it off. Some manufacturers refer to the drain flange as a "drain body" or "drain basket". The pipe will assist in creating more leverage to unscrew the drain flange. Get a wrench and clamp it to the nut located on the key. The head may easily pop off to expose a screw. Turn your hair dryer on “hot” or “warm” and let it blow on the drain basket (where the stopper was) for a few minutes. 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. That drain elbow connects to a length of pipe that then connects to the waste and overflow pipe. 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. Luckily, you wonât come across many challenges when replacing a drain flange, according to our 24 hour plumber in Sydney. Over the years, through corrosion or wear and tear, it can leak, rust away or become broken. The tailpiece is the piping beneath the tub and is connected to the main drain pipe within the bathroom wall. Then unscrew the drain post. Tip # 1 - Use the Right Tools. You may get lucky and the drain flange may unscrew easily. Thus, the best chance you have is applying more force. Next, take a sponge and use it to clean the interior of the flange. Copyright 2020 Fast Plumbers | All Rights Reserved |, Tools Youâll 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. Before you dive in, it's important to familiarize yourself with a tub drain system. If your stopper is the pres-flo type, then youâll simply grasp the stopper knob (if any) or the stopper itself and pull it up. The first thing you should do before removing the flange is to detach the tub drain stopper. In case you are using a dumbbell, youâll need to insert it through the drain. If you're using a drain key, insert it in the opening of the old drain. Following the instructions for the tool, turn counterclockwise. 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 … Remove the drain stopper or screen to gain access to the tub's drain fitting. How to remove a bathtub drain stopper bathtub drain removal when cross bathtub drain removal when cross how to remove a bathtub drain stopper how to remove broken tub drain Removing A Bathtub Drain That Has Broken Crossbars FlounderingsRemoving A Bathtub Drain That Has Broken Crossbars FlounderingsHow To Convert Bathtub Drain Lever A Lift And… Youâll find most parts making up the bathtub drain assembly under the bathtub. The connection needs to be tight to prevent leaks, but tightening it too much risks cracking the tub or breaking the seal. To remove the drain flange, use a strainer wrench or a pair of needle-nose pliers. 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. The new bathtub drain. Then rotate the knob counterclockwise. Itâs something you can easily do from within the bathtub. The most important thing to remember is that a drain wrench is an important tool, so it’s worth picking one up. Slowly turn the drain clockwise to catch the first few threads of the drain elbow underneath the tub. Finally, install the new flange. Once you remove the knob, use a sturdy screwdriver to unscrew the crossbar post. Plumbing supply houses sell a simple tool that works very well for this purpose. 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. Heat the drain basket with a hair dryer. Some plumbers can successfully use a regular hammer to remove the drain, but this is only possible with certain hammers and drains. Drain flanges come in many different finishes and have a variety of stopper options for filling the tub. A small drain snake or piece of wire. Use a flat type of screwdriver or putty knife to remove old putty from the drain opening. Once done, take a screwdriver and insert it through the dumbbell to work as a simple lever for easier operation. When removing the flange, youâll simply unscrew it gently from the drainâs tailpiece. In many cases though, it isn’t that easy. Use a screwdriver to disconnect and remove the tub's waste and overflow valve cover. From time to time, the bathroom or kitchen sink drain may stop working. Many bathtubs will have an access panel behind the tub, or you may be able to access the plumbing through a crawl space in or under the home. Keep turning until the flange comes loose and you can remove it. In most cases, removing a flange is relatively easy. Keep your pipes clean, and your floors dry by sticking to these five simple steps. Do this carefully, so as not to squeeze the gasket underneath the tub out of place. 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. In case the drain is blocked, you can remove the hair using the zip-it drain tool. 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. Once done, use the wrench to turn the drain removal key counterclockwise. In most cases, a bathtub drain basket has been screwed into place. Allow to dry before beginning installation of the new drain flange. After a few minutes, the putty should be soft enough to try turning again. Itâs much easier to remove the drain by using tools that are specially designed to remove drains. Clean the drain opening on the tub with a rag and acetone to remove dirt, debris and old plumber's putty. Step 2Insert the Drain Key or the Smart Dumbell into the drain. Turn your wrench anticlockwise until the wings touch the inside of the drain. You should now know how to remove a bathtub drain and drain flanges with ease. A long screwdriver, plumbers pliers (channel locks), a properly sized wrench to fit the body of the drain … 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. A rubber gasket underneath the tub seals the drain elbow to the tub. Step 4 Clean drain area, making sure to remove all old putty residue. In some tub designs, you can only access the drain by lifting the bathtub. You might be lucky to remove the flange using the tools you already have at home. Whichever the case, replacing a tub drain demands the removal of the drain flange. \ You can try using a strainer wrench. In case itâll be necessary, slip a steel pipe on the wrench or screw handle to extend its length. Tip # 1 - Use the Right Tools. At this stage, it gets harder to move. 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. Hereâs 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. To do this, clean any hair and soap scum that may have accumulated on the drain. It’s held in place by a single screw, so take a screwdriver, loosen it, and lift the cover out of the way. A Bathtub Drain Wrench if you cant use pliers. A bathtub drain flange is the finished drain part that's visible in the tub. Make sure the drive screw is situated at the top and the expanding shoes are in the drain basket. Use the putty knife to remove excess plumber’s putty. Youâll be able to remove any hair that may be stuck within the drain upon removing the flange to access the inside. In order to perform the removal of the flange, you will need to access the sink from the bottom. 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.. At those times, you may need to replace it, which requires to remove the drain stopper or flange at first. 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. Youâll simply turn it using a screwdriver or wrench as the lever. Some spouts have a … Continue turning the key counterclockwise until its wings touch the inner drain. Items needed to remove and replace a modern screw in bath tub drain (not all drains are like this). However, that might not be very easy. 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. Next, use your household cleaner to wipe off any rust or gunk. Excess putty can be put back into the container to be used another time. Doing so will soften the putty that may have hardened within the threads, thereby making it easier to turn the flange. It seats into the drain and has a solid place to put a wrench so you can turn it out. A bathtub drain wrench or sometimes called a drain key. Clean the tailpiece threads with a toothbrush. In that case a hacksaw blade, or saber saw, along with a hammer and chisel may be the only way to remove it. The waste and overflow cover on the sides of the tub should be undone with a screwdriver. Next, take the drain key and insert it into the tub drain opening. This is a great tool when the inside supports are still in place. Use a tool designed for tub drain removal, called a tub drain wrench, to remove the drain flange. The exterior part of the flange is usually threaded. Insert the removal tool into the drain body, also known as the flange. -- 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. Roll the putty between your hands until it is a long log that is about as thick as a pencil. To proceed, you’ll need to use a pair of pliers to remove the securing nut from the basket. Step 3Keep turning drain counterclockwise until the old drain is released - it shouldn't take too many turns before the drain comes right out. Remove the gunk around the tub drain. Stop rotating the flange once the top face of the flange sits even or slightly below the tub surface. 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. The flange is the drainâs visible part. Once clean, youâll be able to see the bathtub drain opening and flange clearly. Step 1First, remove the stopper. Hold the … The kind of drain stopper mechanism you have will determine the procedure youâll follow to remove it. 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. 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