Repairing a Bathtub Drain
Ask Danny, Plumbing, Repairs and Installation by Danny Lipford
Our bathtub no longer holds water. The drain itself is slightly corroded around the edges so it does not sit tightly in the tub. How do I replace the drain hardware?
-Barbara
Hi Barbara,
If the drain basket itself needs replacing, it may require access to the underside or back end of the tub. To replace, unscrew the existing tub drain basket by inserting a pair of pliers into the basket and turning or using a special tub drain removal wrench made for that purpose. If the drain pipe and threads are in good shape, a new drain flange can then be screwed into it. Be sure to apply a ring of plumber’s putty around the drain hole in the tub bottom to seal the drain basket to the bottom of the tub.
To see how to remove and replace the internal drain closing mechanism, check out our article Cleaning a Tub Drain.
Good luck with your project,
