How to Change a Bathtub Drain Stopper

The drain is sealed with a bathtub drain stopper, which prevents water from pouring down the drain. It can become stuck, making it impossible to function properly. In this case, you may need to know how to change a bathtub drain stopper. The following article gives you some DIY plumbing tips to help you do that efficiently.

How to Change a Bathtub Drain Stopper

Once you remove the drain stopper, you’ll have a better idea of what’s causing the problem. It’s also important to know how to adjust your drain stopper in case it’s not precisely positioned. If the stopper isn’t entirely covering the tub’s drain when it’s in place, it won’t effectively keep the water stopped.

The first step in learning how to remove a drain stopper is determining which type you have.

The most popular drain stoppers are described in the following section.

Push/Pull Stopper

A push-pull rod is located on the side of this sort of stopper. This rod has a round handle on one end, and your finger fits into the hole on the other. The plunger connected to the push-pull mechanism plunges down into the drain to stop the water flow. To remove a push-pull tub stopper, follow these steps:

• Remove the top knob of the stopper. By hand, remove the stopper and knob.
• Wiggle the knob with one hand until it comes free. Is it difficult to unscrew the knob with your hands?
• Grab a cloth and delicately wrap it around it before releasing it with normal pliers.
• After it’s been removed, look for the exact location where the strainer’s crossbar meets the stopper.
• Using a standard flathead screwdriver, remove the pot from the strainer.

Tub Stopper with Toe-Touch

The pliers-shaped toe-touch tub stoppers can be pulled up to open the drain. The handle is released as you press it down, and the stopper closes the drain in your bathtub.

What is the best way to remove a toe-touch tub stopper?

• Turn one end of the plunger rod that extends out from behind the rubber top with a screwdriver or tongs.
• With your tools, pry up on this rod until it comes loose from its location.
• Pull up on the rubber top to remove it from its base once you’ve removed the plunger.
• You should now be able to release your strainer by rotating the head clockwise with your hands.
• To remove the head, unscrew it and lift it up and away from the stopper.
• Grip the knob on top of the bathtub drain that is attached to this type of stopper with your hands.
• Carefully pull up on the stopper until it comes away from its base.

Tub Stopper with Lift and Turn

A raise and turn tub stopper is affixed to the tub with two screws.

• One hand should be placed on top with the stopper “open” to keep it in place.
• Remove the strainer’s stopper and slowly turn the knob in the other direction, looking for a screw placed on the knob. If you can’t find one, turn the stopper counterclockwise to take it out of the drain.
• The threads are occasionally missing. Try gradually turning it upward and dragging it up.
• If your stopper doesn’t have a screw set right on the knob and still won’t unscrew, lift it up and rotate it till a little screw appears.
• To remove the screw, use a screwdriver or a wrench.
• Don’t totally remove the screws to unfasten the stopper. This method must be used with extreme caution, as the screw can easily fall through the drain if it is completely removed.
• If neither the stopper nor the knob has set screws, it’s most likely a channel/pin mechanism.
• Remove the stopper from the channel and slowly spin it the other way, aligning the bottom slot with the pin on the top part.
• To release the stopper, wiggle it up.

Tub Stoppers Alternatives

One screw secures a flip-it® tub stopper to the bottom of the overflow plate. This style of tub stopper is usually easy to remove.

• Grab the stopper by the body and twist it up and down (in all directions) until it comes loose.
• After the process is over, there are a few things you should do.
• After you’ve removed the bathtub drain stopper, use a flashlight to peer down the drain. If your bathtub is taking a long time to drain, it’s possible that soap scum, hair, or other debris has built up and created a permanent obstruction in the drain. If the blockage isn’t too severe, you might be able to remove the strainer and unstick it yourself if you’re bold enough.

You may, however, avoid all of the unpleasantness by having Autry Plumbing take care of your bathtub.

Get in Touch With Us Right Now!

If you’re having trouble removing a bathtub drain stopper, give us a call.

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