Do you need to remove your bathtub drain stopper but find yourself slightly confused in how to operate it? You’re not alone!
You may need to remove the stopper to better access the bathtub drain for clogs, or perhaps you’re trying to replace it with a brand-new stopper.
Realize this: There are a lot of different types of drain stoppers, and some function slightly differently than others.
We are going to cover the most common one first, and you can skip to the video below for visual aid.
And later in this PlumbingNav guide, we will also cover the different types of drain stoppers and common problems people encounter when removing a bathtub drain stopper.
What's In This Guide?
How to Remove a Bathtub Drain Stopper (5 Types)
Follow these steps to remove a standard bathtub drain stopper.
Step 1: Open Drain Stopper
In most cases, you need to put the drain stopper in the open position to begin the process.
A drain stopper in the open position allows water through the drain.
Step 2: Remove the Cover
With the stopper in the open position, remove the cover or the knob.
In most cases, you will need to use a screwdriver to remove the cover.
For a push-pull drain stopper and some toe-touch stoppers, you may only need to turn the knob counterclockwise until the cover comes off.
Step 3: Loosen Setscrew
Many stoppers have a set screw that requires a smaller screwdriver or a hex key to remove it.
You do not want to completely remove the set screw but loosen it.
Step 4: Remove Hardware
Remove the rest of the stopper and any mounting post or additional hardware.
Step5: Remove Drain Basket
Your drain basket can be removed using a drain wrench or locking pliers.
Keep in mind that the drain basket may have a long screw that takes a significant amount of time to unscrew.
What You Need to Know About How to Remove a Bathtub Drain Stopper
Drain Clogs
The two main reasons to remove a tub stopper are to get better access to your bathtub drain or to replace the old drain stopper with a new stopper.
You may want access to your tub drain or shower drain if you suspect a drain clog. In most cases, a tub clog develops thanks to an accumulation of hair or soap scum buildup in pipes.
A drain stopper with a drain basket or a mesh drain strainer can hinder the process along with regular enzyme drain cleaning maintenance, but all tub drains will experience clogs over time.
Understanding Your Bathtub Drain
Your bathtub drain may or may not include an overflow drain that prevents water from reaching a certain level. Without an overflow drain, you may overflow the tub if you aren’t careful.
There’s also the standard tub drain. Your drain stopper is threaded into the tub drain. The most common sizes for a bathtub drain are ⅜” (fine-threaded) or ½” (coarse threaded).
A tub drain stopper fits into the drain. The drain stopper itself typically consists of the drain stopper and the internal flange, or external drain strainer (similar to a kitchen sink drain cover).
There will also be a washer or other sealants to prevent the drain stopper from leaking. Removing the actual drain is a slightly different task, and best aided by using a special bathtub drain removal tool.
Once the water goes down the tub drain, it will encounter a P trap, designed to prevent sewer gases from entering back into your home.
When the water makes it past the P trap, it travels out of your home through your home’s drain pipe to the main sewer line or your private septic system where the wastewater will be treated before being released back into the soil.
Types of Bathtub Stoppers
There are numerous different types of bathtub drain stoppers with different components. It’s important to understand that certain tub stoppers may remove slightly differently than others.
The different stoppers generally have a name that describes how they operate:
Pop up drain stopper
Toe touch drain stopper
Push pull drain stopper
Lift and turn drain stopper
Flip lever drain stopper
Drain cover
The stoppers usually connect to a cross bar (push pull stopper, toe touch stopper, and lift and turn stopper) or an overflow plate (pop up drain stopper and flip lever drain stopper).
Drain covers, on the other hand, don’t fit into the drain and simply cover the drain. See this post for reviews of the best drain stoppers.
Removing Different Types of Tub Stoppers
Lift and Turn Drain Stopper
Remove the knob by turning it
Unscrew bolt from crossbar
Lift and remove
Pop Up Drain Stopper
Open drain
Use needle-nose pliers to remove plug and rocker arm
Unscrew overflow faceplate with a screwdriver
Remove rod assembly
Push and Pull Drain Stopper
Unscrew knob with a screwdriver
Unthread bolt from crossbar
Lift and remove
Touch Toe Drain Stopper
Open drain stopper
Unthread drain stopper cover by turning it
Unscrew the fastening screw
Lift and remove
Trip Lever Drain Stopper
Open drain stopper
Unscrew and remove overflow grate with screwdriver
Pull out drain assembly
We cover this extensively in this article. Check it out for steps and videos for removing every stopper type.
Common Problems with Removing a Bathtub Drain Stopper
How do you remove a bathtub drain stopper without screws?
Watch how to remove a lift and turn drain stopper:
Most bathtub drain stoppers have a screw to keep the cover in place, but others don’t have a screw.
To remove a bathtub drain stopper without a screw, you will need to put the stopper in the closed position then use pliers to turn the cover counterclockwise (left loosey).
The cover will get looser and looser until you are able to remove it.
How to remove a stuck bathtub drain stopper
A bathtub drain stopper can be difficult to remove if it was overtightened during installation or if the stopper hasn’t been removed for an extended period of time.
If your bathtub drain stopper feels stuck, you may want to use WD40 to lubricate the stopper and help it loosen up.
How to remove a broken bathtub drain stopper
When a bathtub drain stopper breaks, you may struggle with how to remove it.
The most common way for a stopper to break is if the knob becomes removed before you’re ready.
In this case, you will use a screwdriver to enter the post and wiggle it free.
FAQS On How to Remove a Bathtub Drain Stopper
How to remove a Moen pop up bathtub drain stopper
A Moen pop up bathtub drain stopper can be removed using the following instructions:
Open the drain stopper. Next, remove the drain stopper plug and faceplate. Loosen the set screw with a screwdriver. After you loosen the set screw, you should be able to remove the rod assembly.
How to remove a toe touch bathtub drain stopper
In order to remove a toe touch bathtub drain stopper, follow the following steps:
Open drain stopper
Unthread drain stopper cover by turning it
Unscrew the fastening screw
Lift and remove
How do you remove a push drain stopper?
Use the following steps to remove a push drain stopper:
Unscrew knob with a screwdriver
Unthread bolt from crossbar
Lift and remove
Why can’t I remove my bathtub drain stopper?
If you can’t remove your bathtub drain stopper, it may be stuck thanks to overtightening during the installation process or sediment buildup on the drain assembly that hasn’t been cleaned properly over the years. See this article for how to remove a shower drain cover.
Use a lubricant, such as WD40 or pipe penetrating oil. (Confirm it won’t stain your tub finish before use!) You can also use your screwdriver to wiggle the drain assembly to loosen it up.
