How to Remove a Bathtub Drain Stopper

A lot of people as us, Mr. Rooter Plumbing, about how to remove their bathtub drain stopper. Clogged bathroom drains can be inconvenient, gross, and even harmful to your plumbing system. If water is collecting at your feet when you shower, then you likely have a drain blockage. There is also a possibility that the drain stopper is not properly installed. To get a closer look at the situation, you will have to remove the bathtub’s drain stopper. 
In this article, we will go over how to troubleshoot and replace your drain stopper. There are a few types of drain stoppers. So, the first step is to figure out which type of drain stopper you have. If you have any questions or would like to hire a certified plumber, then call Mr. Rooter Plumbing today.

Push-And-Pull Drain Stopper

The push-and-pull drain stopper is a very simple design and rarely requires maintenance or repair. This drain stopper is pushed down to close and pulled up to open. It’s as simple as that. If you need to remove a push-and-pull drain stopper:

• Remove the knob on top of the stopper.
• Hold the base of the stopper in place and turn the knob counterclockwise until it is off.
• Wrap a washcloth or rag around the knob and use pliers if the knob is too tight to unscrew by hand.
• Look for the point that connects the stopper and the crossbar of the strainer. Unscrew that post using a screwdriver and remove it from the strainer.

Lift-And-Turn Drain Stopper

This drain stopper type is similar to the push-and-pull style but requires an extra turn after lifting or pushing down the stopper to lock it into place. When you need to remove a lift-and-turn drain stopper:

• Bring the drain stopper to its “open” position (the position that allows the tub to drain).
• Loosen the setscrew on the top of the stopper with an Allen wrench or screwdriver. If no setscrew, then just twist the stopper itself. Lift the stopper off its mounting post.
• Unscrew the mounting post from the drain using pliers or a screwdriver.

Toe-Touch Drain Stopper

This drain stopper uses a spring-loaded design and is closely related to the lift-and-turn stopper. Closing or opening the stopper just requires a light push down with your toe. Though this stopper is relatively trouble-free, the spring mechanism may wear out over time. To remove this stopper:

• Set the stopper to the “open” position (the position that allows the tub to drain).
• Hold the base of the cylinder and turn the cap counterclockwise. Continue to unscrew until you can remove the unit.
• There is a chance that you may need a screwdriver to unscrew the cylinder from the crossbar first.

Call the Experts

Removing the drain stopper is fairly simple as you just read. Once you have removed the stopper, you can inspect the drain and remove scum, debris, and rust that might be causing the issue you are having. If you prefer to have a professional plumber take a look at the situation, then call Mr. Rooter Plumbing. We are available 24/7 and can have a certified plumber dispatched to your location within the hour.