How to Remove the Drain From a Fiberglass Bathtub
Sometimes leaky bathtub drains cause water damage to surrounding spaces, and sometimes they just look dated. Either way, you should pull that drain out and examine the plumbing to get everything looking and running like new.
Remove the Drain
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Lay down a few bathmats in the fiberglass tub, so boots and tools do not scratch, gouge or otherwise damage it.
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Remove the original drain assembly. Some are screwed right into the crosshairs of the drain basket, which means you can simply unscrew them and set them aside. Others have a hair catch set into the drain above it. If it is screwed in, unscrew it from inside the tub and pull it up.
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Unscrew the drain basket. Some are caulked in, so this can require some elbow grease, but a basket wrench makes the job much easier.
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Unscrew the overflow plate from the side of the tub and pull it out. For some drain sets, this also includes the stopper.
Replace the Drain
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Check and replace any loose or corroded pipes under or behind the tub. If the pipes are old, take the opportunity to just replace the set with new PVC piping. Thread with plumber's tape to keep joints from leaking.
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Caulk the bottom edge of the new basket, and thread it into the pipes. Replace the overflow plate and stopper set and drain plug.
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Place the hair catcher on the drain and screw it down.
References
Tips
- While you have the drain disconnected from the bathtub, look at the stopper and linkage, if that is the kind of setup you have, to make sure they are working properly and nothing needs to be replaced. If they are rusted or old, get a new set.
Warnings
- Be careful of the edges of the drain hole in the tub while the drain assembly is out. Keep tools at the other side of the tub to avoid one falling on the hole and chipping or cracking the edge. Fiberglass is more prone to that than cast iron.
Writer Bio
Marissa Robert graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in English language and literature. She has extensive experience writing marketing campaigns and business handbooks and manuals, as well as doing freelance writing, proofreading and editing. While living in France she translated manuscripts into English. She has published articles on various websites and also periodically maintains two blogs.
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