How to Replace a Bathtub Drain

Installing a New Bathtub Drain in 5 Easy Steps

Toe-Touch drain stopper being pushed down in bathtub

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 15 - 25 mins
  • Total Time: 15 - 25 mins
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $30 to $50

Replacing your bathtub drain may be necessary if it's old, exceptionally dirty, cracked, or when you are replacing a bathtub. You'll need to replace the drain stopper and linkage, then the drain itself after taking the stopper out.

A tub drain with a built-in pop-up stopper has distinct advantages. This type of stopper, which operates by hand or foot, is more durable and easier to maintain than pop-up stoppers that operate by a trip lever and linkage running through the overflow tube. And if you have an old-style tub with a rubber stopper held by a chain, a stopper drain fitting will modernize your fixture.

Drain converter kits come with a threaded drain fitting with a built-in stopper plug, plus a blank cover for the overflow opening to replace the trip-lever cover plate used with the old stopper assembly. Several styles are available, some of which use a spring-loaded stopper that closes and opens with a simple push of the toe, and others with grip knobs that are opened and closed by lifting or lowering by hand.

Warning

In some instances, removing the original tub drain may be very difficult. If your tub installation is older or you encounter issues removing the tub drain, stop work and call a professional, who can help you avoid water damage and even costlier repairs.

Types of Bathtub Drain Stoppers

Here are the different types of drain stoppers you may need to remove:

  • Toe-touch stopper 
  • Flip-it stopper 
  • Trip-lever stopper 
  • Pop-up stopper
  • Push-pull stopper 
  • Lift-and-turn stopper

Before You Begin

If you don't already own one, spend a few dollars on a tub drain wrench, often known as a dumbbell tool. This specialty tool makes quick work of the otherwise difficult task of unscrewing the upper drain flange fitting from the drain shoe fitting below the tub. Tub drain wrenches usually have two ends for different sizes of drain openings. The end inserts into the opening with the keys fitting into the crosshairs of the drain strainer. Then you turn the tool with pliers to loosen the drain fitting. If your drain doesn't have crosshairs, you need a variation on the drain wrench called a drain extractor.

Also, be sure to get the right size of drain fitting for your drain shoe fitting. If you're not sure of the size of your tub drain, you can buy a kit that can be adapted to two drain sizes.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Screwdriver
  • Tub drain wrench (dumbbell tool)
  • Channel-type pliers or adjustable wrench
  • Putty knife

Materials

  • Tub drain converter kit for a stopper drain
  • Plumber's putty
  • Non-scratch scouring pad

Instructions

How to Install a Bathtub Drain

Materials and tools to install a stopper drain fitting

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  1. Remove the Old Stopper and Linkage

    Always set the drain to the open position before trying to remove the stopper. Here's how you remove each type of stopper though removal is usually a straightforward process :

    • Toe-touch stopper: Unscrew the stopper with your hand or screwdriver. 
    • Flip-It stopper: Simply flip the toggle to open and twist it off.
    • Trip-lever stopper: Unscrew the cover plate on the overflow drain opening and carefully and slowly extract the stopper's level rod and linkage from the opening.
    • Pop-up stopper: Use the same removal method as the trip-lever stopper.
    • Push-pull stopper: Lift the stopper's knob and turn it counterclockwise until it releases.
    • Lift-and-turn stopper: Unscrew the small knob on top and use a small screwdriver to unscrew the small screw underneath the knob. Twist the stopper until it's removed from the mounting post, then you'll need to remove the mounting post with a pair of pliers.
    Traditional lever-operated stopper removed from overflow opening

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  2. Remove the Old Bathtub Drain Fitting

    Use the tub drain wrench to remove the existing drain fitting from the drain shoe. (Some tubs may have a strainer grid that first needs to be removed before you can assess the drain fitting.) Here's how:

    • First, determine which end of the wrench will fit inside the drain opening and around the drain fitting's crosshairs.
    • Insert the wrench into the tub drain and align it with the crosshairs, then use channel-type pliers or an adjustable wrench to rotate the drain fitting counterclockwise and loosen the fitting. It will unthread from the tub shoe below the tub. 
    • Keep turning until the fitting comes free.
    Adjustable wrench pulling out old drain fitting from bathtub

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  3. Clean the Tub Drain Opening

    Pull the fitting from the tub, and clean off the ring of plumber’s putty that surrounds the opening of the tub drain. It is best to have a clean surface to work with, so be sure to remove as much putty as possible. If the plumber’s putty is dried in place, you can use a non-scratch scouring pad to remove it.

    Non-scratch scouring pad removing putty from tub drain opening

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  4. Determine the Drain Thread Size

    Use the old fitting to determine the size of your drain. A bathtub drain converter kit often provides drain threads in two sizes to accommodate different tub drains. Select the appropriate thread attachment.

    Old drain fitting held next to new drain fitting to compare size

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  5. Install the New Drain Fitting

    Remove the tub stopper from the new drain fitting—often this is a matter of simply unscrewing it.

    • Apply a generous band of plumber’s putty to the bottom of the flange on the new fitting.
    • Insert the fitting into the bathtub drain opening, making sure to center it.
    • Make sure to thread the fitting into the shoe carefully. A good way to avoid cross-threading is to start tightening by hand first.
    • When it looks like the fitting's threads are screwing properly into the drain shoe, you can continue tightening by using the tub drain wrench.
    • Lastly, clean off any excess plumber’s putty from around the drain fitting, then insert the stopper and test the drain.
    Toe-touch drain fitting threaded into drain opening with putty wrapped around

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

When to Call a Professional

If you are not comfortable doing your own plumbing work, it's a simple task that can be handled by any plumber. 

FAQ
  • Is it easy to replace a bathtub drain?

    Older drains may be problematic to remove. Otherwise, it will just require patience to unscrew the threading and remove the plumber's putty.

  • Are bathtub drains universal?

    Not all bathtub drains fit all tubs. You'll need to measure your drain to buy the right kit. Most kits are sized to fit a range of tub sizes. You can easily find a compatible kit for your tub. If you still have the owner's manual for your tub (if it's newer), the size and type of drain should be listed in the paperwork.

  • Do bathtubs or toilets share a drain?

    The bathtub and toilet are not directly connected, but they have separate drain pipes that lead to the main drain. All sinks, toilets, and tubs/shower pipes in your home are connected to one drain pipe that moves used water to the sewer line that's located under your house.