Replace a Bathtub Drain Stopper

Replacing a leaking bathtub drain stopper will save a do-it-yourselfer the cost of hiring a plumber. The drain stopper will either be attached to a mounted lever or will have no lever. The process for replacing the stopper differs for each situation.

Steps

Replacing a Drain Stopper That Does Not Have a Mounted Lever

A drain without a mounted lever is easiest to repair. All you will have to do is unscrew the old drain stopper, clean the area and replace it with a new drain stopper.

  1. Turn the drain stopper counterclockwise until it loosens from the tub. If the loosened cap reveals an additional screw that needs to be loosened, then turn the screw counterclockwise using a screwdriver until the stopper mechanism slips out.
  2. Clean the drain stopper body, making sure that the grate is free of debris and hair.
  3. Screw the new drain stopper into the drain by turning the unit clockwise until it locks into place.

Replacing a Drain Stopper that Has a Mounted Lever

To remove a drain stopper with a mounted lever, you will take out the lever as well as the drain stopper body. You can replace the old unit with a simple stopper that doesn’t have a mounted lever. The mounted lever mechanisms are difficult to keep clean.

  1. Unscrew the screws that hold the overflow plate against the side of the bathtub. Set the screws aside in case you need to use them again to screw on the new overflow plate.
  2. Pull the overflow plate out. The linkage that connects the lever to the stopper body should be pulled out. You may have to tug hard to remove the linkage from the overflow plate opening.
  3. Cut a 1/4" notch in the stopper body with a mini hacksaw. The notch should be both 1/4” wide and 1/4” deep. Be sure not to cut into the surface of the bathtub with the hacksaw.
  4. Wedge a 3/4” cold chisel into the slot that you just cut.
  5. Pound the top of the chisel with a hammer, pushing the chisel in a counterclockwise direction to loosen the stopper.
  6. Place a new gasket around the drain opening.
  7. Roll a bead of plumber’s putty the width of a pencil around the underside of the new drain stopper body. The plumber’s putty will form a seal between the stopper body and the bathtub.
  8. Insert a pair of pliers into the new drain stopper, sliding the jaws of the pliers so that they grip the X-shaped grate.
  9. Lower the new drain stopper into the opening using the pliers.
  10. Turn the pliers clockwise to screw in the new drain stopper into the stopper body.
  11. Screw in a new overflow plate to cover the opening where the lever used to be.



Tips

  • If the drain stopper body won’t unscrew, then try blowing air with a hair dryer on the drain to soften the plumber’s putty that holds it in place.

Warnings

  • Do not force the drain stopper body from the pipe. If you bend the opening of the pipe, then you will have a difficult time replacing the pipe since it is beneath the bathtub.

Things You'll Need

  • Screwdriver
  • Cleaning brush or cloth
  • New drain stopper
  • Mini hacksaw
  • 3/4” cold chisel
  • Hammer
  • Gasket
  • Plumber’s putty
  • Pliers
  • New drain stopper body and drain stopper

Sources and Citations

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