If you want to replace your tub drain, you don’t necessarily have to call a plumber. I’m not saying it is an easy task, but here’s a guide that might help you remove the old drain and install a new one.
Materials You’ll Need:
- Rag
- Screwdriver
- Pliers
- Strainer Wrench
- Plumber’s putty
- Bath waste and overflow kit
Instructions on How to Carry Out This DIY Project:
Step 1: You start by using the screwdriver to take out the screws that are used to secure the overflow plate.
Step 2: With the pliers, try to reach down to the drain show and turn counterclockwise. Now, if you have an old tub, you will obviously have some trouble turning it. If it’s a 60-year-old drain –that’s completely possible, by the way – you might need to use a reciprocating saw (I don’t see another way than that).
Step 3: After completely removing the drain, you should loosen and remove the drain piping using a pair of pliers.
Step 4: Take out the old putty.
Step 5: Roughly assemble the bath waste and overflow kit.
Step 6: Putty should be added to the underside of the shoe strainer and then placed in the tub drain hole.
Step 7: Right under the tub, arrange the rubber gasket and show elbow underneath the tub drain.
Step 8: For this step, you should have someone to help you. There should be a person in the tub who will catch the threads and turn the shoe strainer to tighten using a strainer wrench or a pair of pliers.
Step 9: The overflow assembly should now be aligned to the overflow hole found in the tub.
Step 10: Connect the linkage assembly to the trip lever faceplate.
Step 11: It is now time to fit the plunger linkage assembly into the overflow hole.
Step 12: Once you have screwed the overflow plate back on, secure the washers and slip nuts.
Step 13: Once you’ve laced the new drain into the pipes, start installing the strainer drain plate.
Step 14: You end by testing out the new drain and stopper. If everything works fine, you are good to go. However, if there seems to be a problem, I strongly suggest calling a professional. Only an expert might detect what’s wrong and fix the issue.
Reviews From Other DIYers Who Had to Replace And/or Remove Bathtub Drain:
Yon Kromis says:
“You buy a special tool at the hardware store or you can take a piece of PVC pipe and cut notches in it The notches need to line up with the drain things maybe about a quarter inch deep. And then put a hole through the top of the about a footlong pipe and then put a screwdriver in it and twist it counterclockwise. You can look up a video on YouTube how to make that homemade drain puller or you can go to home Depot or Lowe’s or local hardware store and buy one definitely need to watch a video on how to put it back together right make sure you use the proper greases and stuff”
John T answering the question: “How to remove an old drain strainer from a bathtub?”
Usually they are removed by cutting through it from under the tub. If you are trying to non- destructively remove it— light heat and an internal pipe wrench (Google Starbuck tool Company – old company that made professional tools for the plumbing trade – books for teaching also)
Alternatively, just replace it with a new one, they are still available. Remember to get the 1 1/2 by 1 3/8 trap adapter chrome nut and jamb washer to properly connect to modern plumbing drain lines.
According to an anonymous reply:
Follow 3 steps and replace your bathtub drain easily.
Step 1: Identify the stopper
Step 2: Remove the stopper
Step 3: Soften the plumber’s putty
Step 4: Remove the drain fitting
