How to Remove a Bath Drain
- 1). Turn off the water supply for the bathtub faucet. This will help prevent accidents while your working in case you bump the faucet. On newer homes, the water supply valves are close to the faucet, usually behind an access panel. Turn these clockwise to turn off. In an older home, turn off the water supply for the whole house, usually located near the street.
- 2). Remove the bathtub stopper. The two major types of stopper are the twist-and-lock models and the toe-tap type. In a twist-and-lock model, remove the stopper by unscrewing the round handle on top of the stopper counterclockwise, either with your hands or with a pair of pliers if the cap is stuck. Pull up on the stopper to remove. On a toe-tap type, simply twist the drain counterclockwise to remove.
- 3). Remove the drain flange. Insert two screwdrivers into the drain flange so that they catch on the tines in the bottom. Use these as a handle for a pair of pliers to twist out the drain flange.
- 4). Clean off the drain opening. Remove all traces of putty and caulk.
