Removing a bathtub stopper is not too difficult. You just need to know what you’re doing and have the right tools on hand. Many people do not know how to remove their bathtub stoppers, which can be dangerous. If your faucet gets clogged or if you have an old faucet that needs replacing, this is a perfect opportunity to learn how to remove the old one and replace it with a new one.
How to remove bathtub stopper?
To remove the bathtub stopper, you’ll need a screwdriver, wrench, pair of pliers or a hammer.
1. Lift and Turn Stoppers
This style of the stopper is the most common type and can be found in most bathtubs. To remove a lift-and-turn stopper, you’ll need to use a screwdriver to both lift and turn the stopper counter-clockwise.
After lifting the handle, pry underneath it with your screwdriver so that it can easily turn in its base. Then, rotate it until you hear a click or feel resistance—this means that the mechanism has been disengaged from its seat inside of your drain pipe (also known as an overflow tube). Once this happens, grasp both sides of your freshly unclogged drain with two hands and pull up on them as hard as possible.
2. Press-and-Twist Stopper Removal
Once you’ve removed the drain cover, there’s one more step before you can remove your stopper. The reason is simple: it’s held in place by a spring and nut that is under pressure. You need to create some space between the stopper and drain so that when you press down on the stopper, it releases from its locked position.
To do this, turn both handles of your faucet counterclockwise as far as they will go. Once again, keep in mind that if there are any leaks from underneath your sink (or from anywhere else), turning off all water sources and draining pipes under sinks should be your first step before doing anything else at all! Next, look at each handle separately—you’ll see a small notch near where they meet each other and connect with the spout itself; these notches typically have arrows pointing outwards towards an opening that leads directly into either your sewer line or another pipe outside of your house/apartment building (if it’s located on private property). If possible without risking getting dirty or wet yourself (or breaking anything), gently pull off these caps using only one hand while paying attention not only to where they come out but also to what happens afterward.
3. Toenail Test on Lift-and-Turn Stoppers
If you have a lift-and-turn stopper, try to pry it up with the screwdriver and see if it comes off that way. This can be pretty easy to do, but sometimes these stoppers are seriously stuck in place.
If that doesn’t work, use the plumber’s wrench to remove the nut from under the sink (you can also use channel locks). Then use all your might to pull up on your handle while you turn it at the same time; this should dislodge your stopper completely and let you pull it right out of its hole.
4. Pop-Up Stopper Removal
Pop-up stoppers are usually held in place by a metal or plastic clip, which you can remove with a screwdriver. To remove the pop-up stopper, lift it up and turn it counterclockwise.
Next, use your screwdriver to pry open the metal or plastic clip holding the pop-up stopper in place. Once you’ve done this, you should be able to easily remove your pop-up drain from its home.
Conclusion
Removing the bathtub stopper is not that difficult. With these tips, you should be able to clean your drain and remove the stopper with ease. Simply follow these steps and enjoy your tub again!
