DIY – How to Replace a Bathtub Drain

Most of us don't give too much of thought to bathtub drains on regular days. However, you are sure to notice a faulty drain once it starts giving problems. If your bathtub does not hold water and if the water drains off easily, then it is obviously due to a faulty drain. In case there is a leaky drain, it will ruin your bathing time as the water will drain off within a few seconds. When this happens, you will have to do a bathtub drain replacement. This is no rocket science and is something you can do on your own with a help of a few plumbing tools and this DIY guide.

In order to carry out a bathtub drain replacement all you need is a few plumbing skills and some necessary tools such as a tub drain wrench, a new drain, and some plumber's putty. When you are equipped with these things, you need not call the plumber to do the job as you can follow these instructions and do it yourself.

With the help of the pliers get a firm grip on the plug and then twist it in the anti-clockwise direction and do this until the plug can be removed from the hole and then unscrew the drain rim. This can be done with the tub drain wrench. Now pull the drain rim out. In case it is tight, you may spray WD-40 oil around the rim. This will make it easier to remove the drain rim. Now clean the rim thoroughly and remove any debris and prepare the drain flange in order to install the new one. Put adequate quantities of plumber's putty under the rim in order to ensure that it gets sealed tightly. This will help in keeping the bathtub drain secured for long.

After this initial preparation, you can carry out the bathtub drain replacement. Use the tub wrench and hold the bathtub drain and bend it in the hole and move in clockwise direction continuously. Screw the stopper of the new drain inside the drain by moving it in clockwise direction continuously. This will complete the whole process of bathtub drain replacement.