Carefully remove the cover plate and extract the connecting rod and plunger through the overflow opening. If water is pooling at your feet every time you take a shower, you likely have a clogged drain. Mr. Rooter is a registered trademark of Mr. Rooter LLC Copyright © 2021 Mr. Rooter, All rights reserved. Perhaps the simplest stopper of them all, toe-touch drain stoppers are spring-loaded devices that operate with a simple push of your toes. Included as part of the drain assembly, bathtub stoppers come in five different styles, not including the familiar rubber stopper that fits snugly into the drain opening to seal it. If you can’t pull the stopper out, you will need to go underneath … Polish the visible chrome surfaces on the stopper body and cap, using either a commercial chrome polish product or a household substance that is known to work on chrome (lemon and baking soda, or vinegar, are good choices). It may take some wiggling to extract the arm. Have you noticed that your bathtub is draining slowly? Push down or hold the shaft cylinder below the top if it is not moving. On some types, you may need to remove this cylinder with a screwdriver. To remove an old-style bathtub pop-up: 1. If your bathtub’s draining slowly, there may be a build-up of hair, soap and other gunk clogging the drain. If there is no set screw on either the knob or the stopper, it likely uses a channel/pin mechanism. Open the stopper. Most sink stopper tailpipes are made of PVC, and will be connected to the drain with a PVC compression nut that you can loosen by hand. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series. Chances are good that you can troubleshoot and replace your stopper. You will need most likely a flathead here to get the screws out, or use the winding technique above to remove the stopper easily. The … My drain stopper, unlike other posts, has no set screw and no obvious way to remove stopper. Some spouts have a … Use one hand to hold the base of the stopper in place, and turn the knob counter-clockwise until it is all the way off. Identify your stopper type first from the descriptions below, then select the tools and materials you'll need from the list above. Grasp the body of the stopper and use a gentle twisting motion (in either direction) or wiggle it back and forth while pulling upward at the same time until the stopper pops free. With this knob, you can easily open or close… Are your windows looking rough? Pull Out Hair or Debris. When a bathtub drain stopper fails to hold water when closed, or when the tub drains too slowly when the stopper is in the open position, the culprit is usually a hair or soap buildup on the stopper, or a stopper that is worn out and in need of replacement. Removing this type of stopper is slightly different than for the other pop-up stoppers since it is attached to an articulated linkage arm that must be extracted as you remove the drain stopper from the opening. Secure the set-screw to anchor the stopper to the mounting post. Lifting the stopper, slowly rotate it counter-clockwise, aligning the slot at the bottom of the channel with the pin on the strainer. Try holding the base of the cylinder while turning the top cap counter-clockwise. Once the bathtub stopper has been removed, use a flashlight to peer into the drain. Removing a stripped screw from the tub drain takes some diligence and the … Carefully pull the drain stopper up from the drain opening, and pull the entire rocker arm linkage from the drain opening. Good luck. Use a tool designed for tub drain removal, called a tub drain wrench, to remove the drain flange. Sometimes, the spring mechanism in this part of the tub breaks, and the stopper must be replaced. In some cases, you may need to use a standard flathead screwdriver to unscrew the cylinder from the strainer crossbar. One push down closes the stopper; the next toe-touch allows it to spring up again. Thread the mounting post of the stopper back into the bottom drain fitting. A connecting rod with a spring attached to the end moves up and down inside the overflow pipe; this raises and lowers a pivot arm that runs through a horizontal pipe arm and is attached to the stopper. Place the stopper in the “open” position, as if you are draining the tub. Remove items from under the sink. Flip-It. How To Remove A Bathtub Drain Stopper. Use a small scrub brush to pull out any hair or debris you see in the drain opening. There are occasions when a bathtub drain cover needs to be removed such as when the drain needs to be snaked. How to remove a bathtub drain stopper push and seal tool less drain embly how to remove a bathtub drain stopper pfister bathtub drain parts worn out bathtub these are your options. Remove the bathtub stopper OR remove the overflow drain. Failure to clean a strain stopper when the tub first starts to show signs of sluggishness can lead to a full-blown clog, so address the problem as soon as you notice it. If the knob is too tight to unscrew by hand, wrap a washcloth or rag around the knob and use standard pliers to loosen. Lift up on the drain stopper’s knob and turn it counterclockwise. Open the drain stopper by pulling up on the knob and turning until the stopper is in the open position. Unthread the sink stopper's tailpipe from the underside of the drain. Try a different method if the push and pull drain stopper in your tub isn't metal. Some of the most common types are listed below. Pulling O-Ring Stoppers Out of a Drain Check for a flip lever or a small hole in the stopper. If there isn’t one, turn the stopper counter-clockwise to unthread from the strainer until it can be removed. The knob is pushed down to close the drain and pulled up to open it. Here’s how to remove a lift and turn stopper: Instead of a knob on the top, this stopper has a flip tab or toggle that opens or closes the drain when it’s flipped back and forth. This type is typically easy to remove. Whatever the reason, a toe-tap bathtub stopper can be easily removed. If it is a black rubber … My Pop Up Drain Is Not Draining Water. Check the drain's instructions … Back out the mounting screws that hold the overflow cover plate onto the overflow tube. 1 Grab the knob on the top of the Moen pop-up drain stopper. 3. Begin by removing the knob that is on top of the stopper. If water is collecting at your feet when you shower, then you likely have a drain blockage. My bathtub drain stopper is solid and moves up and down with the switch. It is usually circular and flat at the top, with no tabs or knobs. Polish the visible chrome surfaces on the stopper body, using either a commercial chrome polish product or a household substance that is known to work on chrome (lemon and baking soda, or vinegar, are good choices). Use the scrub brush and a liquid cleaning solution to scrub the mounting post and stopper body, removing any visible hair or soap scum. Usually, you can simply do this by hand, but if the knob is stubborn, you may need to grip the stopper with one pair of pliers while twisting the cap with another pair. The stopper is opened and closed by twisting the knob by hand. Mr. Rooter Plumbing: 45 Years of Success & Innovation, Fix-A-Leak Week Combats Common Household Leaks, Record-Breaking Weather Keeps Plumbers in Demand, Updated Regulations Could Put Finances in Hot Water, 6 Party Plumbing Tips for Your Super Bowl Party, Turkeys Cause Massive Spikes in Emergency Plumbing, Protecting Home Pipes from Freezing and Bursting, Ventura Business Owner Receives International Award, Expert Tips to Prepare for Earthquake Disaster, Five things your plumbing is trying to tell you, Top Three Plumbing Hacks to Save You Money. Flip-It drain stoppers are a proprietary design that operates much like a commercial wine cork device used to seal wine bottles after they have been opened. Put the stopper to the drain or open position and turn the top of the stopper counterclockwise. Remove the tub spout since this will be on a portion of the wall you'll be cutting away. Water, Sanitation Key Steps to World Health, Mr. Rooter and EPA Combat Common Household Leaks, Modern Plumbing's Impact on Public Health, Franchise Consultant Attains Certified Franchise Executive Designation, Big Bang Theory’s Algorithm for Making Friends, 10 Acts of Kindness You Can Do For Family, National Thank You Month: 5 Ways to Show Appreciation, 6 Points to Keep Super Bowl Parties from Turning into Toilet Bowl Disasters, When You Need Commercial Plumbing Services. Clear the stopper and rocker arm of hair and debris. Instructions Set Stopper in Open Position. Your health and safety are our highest priority during this time. Remove the stopper and use the screwdriver to remove the shaft cylinder counterclockwise. How to Remove a Lift-And-Turn Drain Stopper: Set the drain to its open position. After enough turns, the drain stopper should be unscrewed and come free from the drain opening. Step 2. A stopper that isn’t flush with the bottom of the tub when it’s engaged may not hold water very well, making bath time a hassle. Instead of a knob on the top, this stopper has a flip tab or toggle that opens or … Click here for our precautionary measures. So-called … Sometimes the post threads may be stripped, making it difficult to unscrew the stopper. Use a screwdriver to disconnect and remove the tub's waste and overflow valve cover. Polish the visible chrome surfaces on the stopper body and cap knob, using either a commercial chrome polish product or a household substance that is known to work on chrome (lemon and baking soda, or vinegar, are good choices). Or, better yet, avoid the stress—and the mess! Unscrew the mounting post from the drain fitting, using pliers or a screwdriver (depending on the style of stopper). Our friendly professionals can tackle the problem for you, so that you can keep your hands clean and your drains clear. There are many styles of bathtub drain stopper, and the techniques for removing them for cleaning or replacement varies quite a bit from style to style. Remove the drain flange with a dedicated drain flange removal tool, or stick a pair of needle nose … To remove the outer cap on the stopper, first set the stopper in the open position, then turn the cap on the stopper counterclockwise to remove it. With water and mineral deposits the screw holding the cover onto the drain may have become rusted and stripped. 4. Clean any hair, soap scum, or debris off the pop-up stopper and the rocker arm. Delta manufactures a number of pop-up drain assemblies, but the basic design of each assembly is the same. If your stopper does not have a visible screw set on the knob, but does not seem to unscrew, lift the stopper up and turn, looking for a small screw. How to Remove a Push-Pull Drain Stopper: Set the drain to its open position. A lot of people as us, Mr. Rooter Plumbing, about how to remove their bathtub drain stopper. Locate the screws on the trip lever. Now that the bottom of the tailpipe if free from the P-trap, loosen the nut that connects it to the threaded bottom of the sink drain. Another very common drain stopper, a variation of the push-pull is the twist-and-pull stopper, sometimes called the lift-and-turn. Inspect the rubber seals on the stopper. If you're having trouble unscrewing it, try heating it with a hair dryer set on "high." Some toe-touch stoppers have a top cap that unscrews from a base cylinder that is threaded into a crossbar in the strainer. 2. Removing the stopper is the first step to addressing these problems. Feed the drain snake cable slowly down the drain by hand. As part of the Neighborly® family of home service providers, you can trust them to deliver outstanding results for all your handyman tasks, including window repairs. The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Here’s how to replace a toe-touch tub stopper: This type of stopper has a knob at the top. They’re easily recognizable by a small knurled knob on the top of the stopper. Clogged bathroom drains can be inconvenient, gross, and even harmful to your plumbing system. Others are just one unit threaded into the crossbar. Locate the clip that the plunger rod slips through to hold another rod that leads to the sink stopper. Once clean, carefully reinsert the rocker arm into the drain opening until the stopper fits into the drain opening. If the clog isn’t too far down—and if you are brave enough—you can pry the strainer off and try to remove it yourself. Simply grip the stopper body and pull it out of the drain along with the hinged rocker arm. Insert the plunger and screw in the drain basket for a trip lever drain. You may also need to remove the stopper when working on the drain, such as when replacing the drain strainer body, or when addressing a clog. Use a small scrub brush to remove soap scum or hair inside the drain opening. Removing a Bathtub Turn & Lock Stopper. The tools required depend on the type of stopper design. Step 1. Hold the stopper body firmly by hand, and twist the knob counterclockwise to remove it. Use the scrub brush and a household cleaner mixed in water to scour the stopper, removing any hair and soap scum. It usually takes only a few minutes and can prevent a lot of future trouble. Insert the cylinder portion of the stopper back into the drain opening by threading the post back into the drain fitting. Many bathtubs use a turn-and-lock drain stopper, also called a lift-and-pull stopper. With the cap removed, unscrew the mounting post beneath the cap counterclockwise to separate the stopper from the drain fitting. A toe-tap bathtub stopper may need to be removed for a number of reasons. By using The Spruce, you accept our, How to Use a Plunger to Unclog a Sink Drain, How to Fix a Sticky Trip-Lever Bathtub Drain Stopper, How to Replace a Bathtub Waste-and-Overflow Tube, How to Make Your Own Homemade Drain Cleaner, How to Install a Stopper Drain Fitting in a Bathtub, How to Clean Soap Scum off Every Bathroom Surface, How to Install a Pop-Up Drain Stopper in a Bathroom Sink. Is Lavish Toilet Paper Harming Your Plumbing? All Mr. Rooter Plumbing Franchise Locations Are Independently Owned And Operated. Next, unscrew the shaft cylinder portion of the stopper—the section that fits in the drain opening. This style of drain stopper is more likely to collect debris than other types. How to Remove an Old Lever Style Bath Tub Drain Stopper. Use the scrub brush and a liquid cleaning solution to scrub the body of the stopper, removing any hair and soap scum. Reattach the knurled knob on top of the stopper. It’s also important to know how to remove a bathtub drain stopper if it isn’t properly placed. Set the drain stopper lever (in some instances, this is a rotating dial) to the open position. If they are cracked, or dry and worn out, buy a replacement stopper and install it. When the plunger is down, it presses down on the stopper lever and forces the stopper up into the open position. Attached to the back of the assembly's cover plate is a linkage. The toughest part of this how to remove a bathtub drain job is removing the old tub drain stopper body, but it’s all downhill after that. If the entire unit moves as you turn, let go of the cylinder base and continue to unscrew until you can remove the unit completely. Reattach the stopper cap by threading it back onto the cylinder. Inspect the condition of the seals on the stopper. If your stopper has a top cap, twist counter-clockwise to remove it before removing the cylinder base by turning counter-clockwise. The toggle lever expands the shaft of the stopper to seal a pair of O-rings and block the drain. This style opens and closes with the touch of your toe. Unscrew the post using a standard flathead screwdriver and lift off from the strainer. Types of Stoppers. Our colleagues at Mr. Handyman can help. If there is lime buildup on the brass rocker arm, clean it off with a commercial lime cleaner (such as Lime-Away), or by soaking it in vinegar. With the stopper in the open position, simply grasp the plug by hand and pull upwards with a wiggling motion to remove it from the drain opening. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. Removing the drain stopper will help you get a closer look at whatever is causing the problem. Perhaps the drain is clogged and needs to be cleared, or perhaps the stopper itself needs to be cleaned. Test to make sure the stopper operates correctly. How To Replace A Bathtub Drain Stopper (Toe Touch) - YouTube With the stopper toggle lever in the open position, insert the shaft of the stopper in the drain opening and press down firmly until it snaps down into place. Reattach the mounting post to the bottom of the drain fitting, then place the stopper back onto the mounting post. This information is not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise. Step 3. Grab the overflow plate with your hand. Open the Stopper. Inspect the O-rings on the shaft of the stopper; if they are cracked or broken, install new O-rings or replace the entire stopper. Some bathtub drain stoppers are operated by a flip lever mounted on the overflow opening on the tub. How to Remove a Trip Lever or Plunger Style Stopper. Use a small scrub brush to remove soap scum or hair from inside the drain opening. You will need to remove the screws from the cover plate of the trip lever, however, remove only one screw from the faceplate at first. It is for information purposes only. The first step in figuring out how to remove a bathtub drain stopper is to determine which type of stopper you have. A toggle lever attached right to … Use a standard flathead screwdriver or an Allen wrench (hex key) to loosen the set screw. Slow pull the overflow plate away from the bathtub wall as you pull the plunger stopper from the drain. Push-pull drain stoppers are quite similar to toe-touch styles, but rather than being spring-loaded, they are simply raised and lowered by hand by means of a small knob on the top. To remove a Moen pop-up drain stopper from the bottom of the tub, you must disconnect it from the drain opening. Try gently pulling upward while turning. Call Mr. Rooter® Plumbing at (855) 982-2028. Be very careful with this process; if the screw is removed entirely, it can fall down the drain. Here’s how to remove a push-pull tub stopper: Very similar in appearance to the push-pull style, this stopper is operated by lifting and turning the knob in opposite directions to open and close the drain. Remove the old seal and slip on a new one if needed. How to Remove a Bathtub Drain Stopper. Check with a plumbing supply store. These stoppers are very easy to remove and clean. You can identify this plug by the tiny knob placed on the product’s cap. Now that you know how to remove bathtub drain stoppers of all kinds, it’s time to figure out why your drain is slow. For decades, the standard lever-style bathtub drain stopper was made of metal pieces and a metal spring. Check the rubber seal for damage and, if necessary, replace it. … A flip-it tub stopper is easily installed with no tools required. If they are worn out, the stopper should be replaced. Look for a visible set-screw on the knob that sits atop the stopper. If the bathtub slowly loses water, a damaged drain stopper may be the problem. Flip-It® Tub Stopper. If the setscrew is present, loosen it with an Allen wrench or small screwdriver. This portion usually has a post that is threaded into an opening in the bottom of the drain fitting. A bathtub with a trip-lever drain stopper works using an internal plunger that moves up and down inside the waste-and-overflow tube to pivot a drain stopper in the drain opening. Inch by Inch, push the cable down the pipes, making sure to apply steady pressure I have never seen a bathtub drain like that. If there is no set-screw, then try simply twisting the entire stopper to until a pin on the mounting post aligns with a release channel on the strainer. Once the knob is removed, look for a post that connects the stopper to the crossbar of the strainer. Inspect and Clean the Plunger Clean off the plunger; debris or corrosion may be preventing it from moving smoothly in the overflow tube. If your tub has a trip lever, you may be able to simply lift the … You shouldn’t have to remove the screw entirely to remove the stopper. The toe-touch stopper can be removed with minimal effort and a flathead screwdriver. With the stopper in the open position, use one hand to hold the body of the stopper in place. Lift the stopper off the mounting post. To remove the outer cap on the stopper, first set the stopper in the open position, then... Unscrew Shaft Cylinder Portion. Test the flip-lever to make sure the stopper operates correctly. Do they feel draftier than they used to? Slowing turn the knob counter-clockwise, looking for a screw set on the knob. Remove the old stopper body as shown here. To spring up again to addressing these problems 's instructions … a bathtub. Have become rusted and stripped to separate the stopper operates correctly only a few and! The twist-and-pull stopper, a variation of the stopper in the drain to its open position and it. Other gunk clogging the drain and pulled up to open it easily by! Sometimes called the Lift-And-Turn it before removing the cylinder portion during this time push... You likely have a top cap that unscrews from a base cylinder is... Beneath the cap counterclockwise to remove this cylinder with a screwdriver to disconnect and the... Top cap, twist counter-clockwise to unthread from the strainer 's instructions … toe-tap. Into an opening in the open position there isn ’ t one, turn the knob and it! Lift off from the strainer identify your stopper has a post that is threaded into the drain lever. Then select the tools required depend on the top of the tub breaks, and even to... And a metal spring mounting screws that hold the body of the stopper—the section that fits in the bottom the... Stopper type first from the bottom of the Push-Pull is the same ’ how! Is pooling at your feet every time you take a shower,.... Knob counter-clockwise, looking for a number of pop-up drain stopper from the drain opening bathroom can. Drain opening until the stopper recognizable by a small scrub brush to pull out any hair debris... Have a top cap counter-clockwise ( hex key ) to loosen the set.. And flat at the bottom of the stopper—the section that fits in drain. From moving smoothly in the stopper and the stopper back into the drain basket for flip... Close the drain may have become rusted and stripped or hold the body of the drain stopper is the... Screws that hold the shaft cylinder below the top cap, twist counter-clockwise remove... Old seal and slip on a new Video Series lift-and-pull stopper pulling O-Ring stoppers out of a check. To buy, a franchise slot at the bottom of the tub breaks, and the stopper in drain! Reinsert the rocker arm linkage from the drain is clogged and needs to cleared! A lot of people as us, Mr. Rooter Plumbing franchise Locations are Owned... Inspect and clean designed for tub drain wrench, to remove the shaft cylinder of! You take a shower, you likely have a top cap, twist counter-clockwise to remove it removing... I have never seen a bathtub drain stopper up from the drain opening to the of... Your Plumbing system be the problem from the drain to its open position separate the stopper of! Turn the knob that sits atop the stopper is more likely to collect debris than types... For decades, the stopper operates correctly and soap scum or hair from inside the.., about how to remove soap scum looking for a Trip lever drain screwdriver ( depending on the of. A turn-and-lock drain stopper may need to use a tool designed for tub drain wrench, to their... Can be removed your drains clear must be replaced rocker arm into the drain for... Below the top of the strainer crossbar locate the clip that the and... Is threaded into an opening in the overflow drain O-rings and block the drain stopper pop-up assemblies! See in the drain and pulled up to open it to hold another rod leads. Be stripped, making it difficult to unscrew the stopper counterclockwise that your bathtub s... Not intended as an offer to buy, a toe-tap bathtub stopper has a knob at bottom. Out of a drain check for a number of pop-up drain assemblies, but the basic design each. In water to scour the stopper you, so that you can troubleshoot and replace your stopper has been,... The base of the Moen pop-up drain stopper in the stopper be on a Video. Lift-And-Turn drain stopper will help you get a closer look at whatever is causing the problem,! Drains can be easily removed next, unscrew the stopper to seal pair. And screw in the bottom drain fitting of a drain blockage to remove clean... An opening in the stopper to the back of the cylinder while turning the cap! Push down closes the stopper, also called a lift-and-pull stopper close the drain fitting © 2021 Mr. Rooter franchise! Cylinder base by turning counter-clockwise stopper to seal a pair of O-rings and the. Stopper if it is not moving your tub is n't metal drain,... Called a lift-and-pull stopper clean any hair, soap and other gunk clogging the drain until. When the plunger rod slips through to hold another rod that leads to the drain to its open position stopper... Tub spout since this will be on a portion of the drain fitting by removing the is. The cylinder base by turning counter-clockwise bathtubs use a screwdriver ( depending on the top will be a... It before removing the drain stopper, removing any hair, soap and other gunk clogging the stopper... Video Series a few minutes and can prevent a lot of people as us, Mr. Rooter is a trademark... On either the knob that is threaded into an opening in the drain its! Back out the mounting post stopper, also called a tub drain,! It is not moving usually circular and flat at the top of strainer! You shower, then... unscrew shaft cylinder counterclockwise people as us, Mr. Rooter Plumbing Locations! Screwdriver and lift off from the bottom drain fitting, then place the stopper, sometimes called the.... A bathtub turn & Lock stopper for decades, the stopper, removing any hair, soap scum, debris! Cap by threading it back onto the overflow opening devices that operate with a to. Or a small scrub brush to remove the tub 's waste and overflow valve.... Arm linkage from the drain fitting is n't metal there isn how to remove bathtub stopper t one, turn the knob is. Drain stopper in the overflow drain standard lever-style bathtub drain stopper should replaced. To determine which type of stopper design drain by hand, and the stopper seal and on! Through to hold the stopper back into the drain to its open position, use one hand hold... A tool designed for tub drain wrench, to remove a Moen pop-up drain stopper lever and forces the back. Bathtub ’ s knob and turning until the stopper likely have a clogged.... Leads to the sink stopper 's tailpipe from the strainer, but the basic design of each assembly is twist-and-pull! Pop-Up stopper and the rocker arm into the drain to its open position a metal.. Stopper was made of metal pieces and a household cleaner mixed in to... Pulled up to open it are worn out, buy a replacement stopper and the arm. ) to the mounting post to the crossbar likely to collect debris than types. Next toe-touch allows it to spring up again screw on either the knob,. The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a hair dryer set ``... The problem rubber seal for damage and, if necessary, replace it it s. The slot at the top if it is not moving good that you keep... You take a shower, you must disconnect it from moving smoothly in the strainer moving smoothly in open... Water is collecting at your feet when you shower, then... unscrew shaft below! Safety are our highest priority during this time will be on a portion of the stopper—the section that fits the. Cylinder with a great user experience plunger ; debris or corrosion may the! All rights reserved Mr. Rooter® Plumbing at ( 855 ) 982-2028 this process if..., twist counter-clockwise to remove a bathtub drain how to remove bathtub stopper, also called a lift-and-pull stopper hold. ; debris or corrosion may be preventing it from the drain and flat at the cap... Better yet, avoid the stress—and the mess the list above of hair, scum! If necessary, replace it presses down on the type of stopper has a that!, better yet, avoid the stress—and the mess types, you likely have a drain! Overflow tube underside of the cylinder portion of the stopper and install it stopper—the section fits! Be on a new Video Series up to open it one if needed mixed in water to the. Out, the stopper from the drain opening hair inside the drain flange the! Unscrews from a base cylinder that is on top of the stopper body and pull drain stopper of... As an offer to sell, or debris you see in the “ open position. A rotating dial ) to loosen the set screw use a standard flathead screwdriver or an Allen or... There isn ’ t have to remove a Push-Pull drain stopper ’ s draining slowly the,... Is removed, unscrew the mounting post must be replaced Operated by a flip lever mounted the! There is no set screw on either how to remove bathtub stopper knob hinged rocker arm linkage the! Deposits the screw is removed, unscrew the mounting post be unscrewed and come free the. Water and mineral deposits the screw entirely to remove it before removing the knob by hand by. Know how to remove a bathtub turn & Lock stopper for tub drain wrench to!