Set them aside somewhere safe and outside of the shower in case you will be putting the shower drain back in later. Its in solid and need something to break the seal. Copyright© wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Rotate … Use a screwdriver with a magnetic head to keep you from dropping the screw and losing it down the drain. A shower P-trap is located beneath the shower drain hole. If the blockage is caused by a build-up of soap scum, then pouring some piping hot water down will loosen it up and get things moving. An older drain may not readily come out even after it has been unscrewed. Before you begin, make sure the shower or tub is completely drained of water and relatively dry. Knowing how to remove a bathtub drain is a helpful skill for when you need to deep clean the drain, replace the drain entirely or remove the bathtub. 2. There are usually two screws, one on each side of the rim around the drain plate. wikiHow's. Unscrew the shaft cylinder, which is the part of the drain stopper that fits into the drain opening. I have access to it ok and can remove the connecting pipes ok. Hello and thanks for reading this post. How to Remove a Shower P-Trap. problems contact webmaster@doityourself.com. There are usually two screws, one on each side of the rim around the drain plate. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. The item, whatever it is, is probably surrounded by hair, and the zip-it tool is very good at latching onto hair. Make your cuts along the floor joists so that you'll have something to support the new subfloor. You're now ready to install your more modern PVC P-trap for your shower. They sell a gismo that works great at removing hair from shower and sink drains. A mucky but essential job that should be done regularly.This video shows how to remove the chrome cover and the plastic basket hair catcher and clean out. Insert 2 nose pliers into the drain openings and grip the plier handles firmly, then twist them both to the left to begin loosening the drain. By using our site, you agree to our. Buy a drain or spray lubricant, like WD-40, silicone lubricant, or PTFE. Shower drains can easily be clogged with hair and other debris, but fortunately, they are among the easiest fixtures to clear using a drain snake.While a normal bathtub drain is usually 1 1/2 inches in diameter, a shower drain is often 2 inches in diameter, making it easier to insert a small drain snake directly into the drain opening and down through the trap, where most clogs are found. Repeat if needed to get rid of any lingering smells. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. If you know how to remove the sink trap you’ll be able to retrieve valuables that disappear down the drain. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Continue twisting the drain until it is completely loosened, then lift the drain out of its place. Handle the pliers carefully so that you don't accidentally dent your shower drain. Adjust a channel lock wrench or pipe wrench over the hex portion of the locknut of the shower drain, which is located under the subfloor. Hi Advice please I want to replace the drain trap on my shower. Clean the drain, then replace the drain plate by replacing and tightening the screws. Shower drain stinks after 4 minutes of use. Keep paper towels nearby for removal – hair and soap accumulations often come out with the cover. (save your old field). Loosen it if it is stuck by carefully inserting the flat head screwdriver underneath the edges of the trap. Pull up the drain trap. In this home plumbing tutorial, you'll learn how to clean and unblock a shower waste trap. In truth, this is unlikely to unblock a shower drain on its own but it’s generally a good start. Put a hair trap in the shower drain, and clean it regularly. Four “wings” flip out under the shower base to clamp the drain in place. I want to replace the drain trap on my shower. Boil a full kettle, leave it for a few minutes and then pour it all down there. When it comes to shower P-traps, a lot of homeowners don’t even know what they’re for, if their shower drains are built with them, and how to replace them. Repeat this process as needed until the clog is gone. Don’t run any water through the drain — water may flush it […] Send a handful of baking soda and hot water down the drain. Since there are different types of drain covers on the market, you need to figure out which type you have so that you can remove it properly. So, locate the area in your basement or crawl space that is directly underneath the shower's plumbing. HGTV expert Amy Matthews takes you through the steps of replacing a shower P-trap in a major bathroom renovation where you're basically building the shower from scratch. You might find it easier to find the shower by having someone stand in the shower and tap the area where the train is located with a plastic object that won't damage the shower. Because of this, many opt for placing a shower trap precisely under the shower drain cover. Again, use the reciprocating saw to cut out the old shower trap. To do this, you'll need to use two pipe wrenches: one large and one small. Fix a Broken P-trap. (Note - Be careful; the old trap is probably filled with dirty water.). For drains with stoppers, like a push-pull or lift-and-turn style drain in a bathtub, check for a small set screw. As an alternative, pour one cup of baking soda in the drain, followed by a cup of white vinegar. In this video I will be showing you how to unclog and clean your shower drain or waste. The first thing you need to know about removing a shower drain cover is to examine how it is attached. Once you have identified the type of drain stopper, you can learn how to remove a bathtub drain by following the specific directions below for your type of drain: How to Remove a Toe-Touch Drain Stopper: Set the drain to its open position. Luckily, most shower drain odor and clog issues are easy to handle. 2. A shower P-trap is located beneath the shower drain hole. How To Unclog A Drain When Drano Doesn't Work; 2. Set the screw aside. 1995-2018 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. If your drain is too rusty to remove or significantly clogged, hire a plumber to remove it for you. These parts can be replaced at any time during the life of the drain. For tips on how to replace or repair the drain, read on! Make your cuts about 2 to 3 inches from the female threaded ends on the old shower trap. When you have a stinky shower drain, it is most likely caused by a buildup of biofilm in the drain pipe or not enough water in the p-trap, allowing the shower drain smells to rise back up through the pipes. You’ll be glad you did. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes, then examine the drain for any screws you need to remove and take them out if you find any. [1] X Research source Do not pour grease or fat down your drain in an attempt to loosen it. submitted to our "DoItYourself.com Community Forums". I would like to clean out my shower trap but when I put my fingers down it I can't feel the hole where the water is supposed to drain to the waste pipe. Whether you have excess soap scum, long hair, or something else (like mold) clogging your pipes, this is a problem that doesn’t go away on its own and must be handled immediately. Use a circular saw to cut away the subfloor to gain access to the P-trap. This article has been viewed 73,151 times. I ... How to Replace a Single Lever Shower Faucet, Accessories for Handicap Shower Tub Units. While this is not a 100% fool-proof way of avoiding shower trap clogging, it is still very useful. The problem is, I can't figure out how to get the darn thing off!! Be careful not to drop any screws down the drain. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Before you try to remove a shower drain, wipe it dry with a towel, then spray it with a lubricant like WD-40 or a silicone drain lubricant. Website operating If you know that you plan on discarding the shower drain, you may handle it more roughly. We’ll cover some of the most common here: 1. The toughest part is removing the old drain flange. Use a screwdriver with a magnetic head to keep you from dropping the screw and losing it down the drain. Set the screw aside. home improvement and repair website. However, plumbers are not cheap, and you could easily do the work yourself and save a couple hundred bucks. DoItYourself.com®, founded in 1995, is the leading independent It will remove the grime that the baking soda and vinegar loosened. In order to do this, you’ll first need to collect a Flathead screwdriver. We welcome your comments and Make sure that the hole is big enough so that the blade of your reciprocating saw can fit through it easily. For tips on how to replace or repair the drain, read on! Mcalpine shower trap chrome effect 90mm types of plumbing traps and how they drench fast flow shower waste tap to keep your drains smelling fresh Replace A Shower Drain From The Top Diy Family HandymanHow To Clean Your Shower Drain Properly Plumbing Electric WonderhowtoDrench Fast Flow Shower Waste Tap WarehouseHow To Retrieve Lost Items In… Read More » I am working with 2x6 floor jo... How far below the shower drain does the P trap have to be? Feeling unproductive while working from home? However its impossable to move the the old screw waste connection with the silly plastic key provided. The best rescue tactic is to remove the trap. Then, simply remove the old shower trap and discard. The drain itself is comprised of several different interlocking parts which constitute the entire assembly. Baking soda is a fine preventative; drop a ½ cup of baking soda down the shower drain … % of people told us that this article helped them. Take the small pipe wrench and place it on the threaded fitting for the outlet pipe, and then place the large wrench on the threaded adapter. Remove Shower Drain Cover. Shower hair catchers have a round metal base that is perforated to allow water to pass through the drain while still catching hairs and other debris from your bathtub. Once you have located the area where the plumbing for the shower is located, take a drill and use a relatively large drill bit to make a hole that you will use for a pilot hole for your saw. If you’re unfamiliar with the P-trap, then read on. I can't figure out how the water drains away. Before you can remove the old shower trap, you'll first need to find a place to access the plumbing for your shower. Take the reciprocating saw and cut out a rectangular area of the sub flooring large enough so that you can easily access the plumbing underneath the shower. Remove the drain cover; if the drain cover is held in place with screws, remove the screws with a screwdriver and set them aside outside the shower drain so they don't also fall down the drain. So, use this easy to follow step by step guide to learn how to properly remove the old shower trap before replacing it with a new one. For most non-combination tub/shower drains you will need a screwdriver to remove two or three screws that are holding the drain trap into place. Most of the shower covers are attached with either a single screw at the center or by two screws along its edges. The first step to repairing or replacing a shower drain is often removing it from the shower. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be Then, simply remove the old shower trap and discard. References. There are a nearly endless array of drain covers. The last thing you need when you jump in the shower is to be overcome by the smell coming from the shower drain. Make your cuts about 2 to 3 inches from the female threaded ends on the old shower trap. For drains with stoppers, like a push-pull or lift-and-turn style drain in a bathtub, check for a small set screw. Make sure you pull up all of the screws and place them in a resealable bag or a safe place away from the drain and … If you want to remove the drain, then make sure that you remove the drain cover. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published, This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. Once it is loosened, you can simply use your hand to remove the threaded adapter from the fitting connector. Have replaced old metal pipe... Hello, I have an issue with my new drainage. This is particularly effective if you are replacing a shower trap on a second floor or first floor with a basement that may have wooden sub flooring. Before you install your new PVC P-trap, you'll need to also remove the threaded adapter that was used for the outlet pipe on the old trap. to free it up. If your drain is rusty, WD-40 is ideal. While holding the pipe with the smaller pipe branch, use the large pipe wrench to break the grip on the adapter and the fitting connector. Use the flat head screwdriver to take out the screw in the middle of the drain trap. You can use the same procedure to remove something stuck in a shower drain, although, because the strainer keeps out all but the smallest items, the zip-it tool is probably all you need. Then, simply follow the sound to the area where the shower drain is located. If you have PVC (plastic) pipes, note the boiling water can cause major damage, so make sure you check first. It may be one solid piece of pipe or it may be an extension pipe attached to a … Cut the existing drain line that you want to connect the shower drain to by using a hack saw or power saber saw with a fine tooth blade. All rights reserved. Screw-In Looking like a flat or slightly concave/convex strainer, simply unscrew these covers with a flat or Phillips head and remove. You might also consider pouring a cup of vinegar down the drain after each shower to eat away at any debris in the pipe. If … Removing a sink trap releases whatever is caught inside. Clean the drain, then replace the drain plate by replacing and tightening the screws. (Note - Be careful; the old trap is probably filled with dirty water.) suggestions. http://www.finehomebuilding.com/2016/05/17/whats-difference-spray-lubricants, http://www.wisebread.com/10-really-easy-ways-to-unclog-drains, https://dengarden.com/cleaning/How-to-clear-a-clogged-shower-drain-8-methods-to-try, https://www.lowes.com/projects/bed-and-bath/clear-clogged-drain/project, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOwr3ASh730&feature=youtu.be&t=44, Melepas Penutup Saluran Pembuangan Air di Kamar Mandi, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. You don't have to call a plumber or handyman to get the job done. Then boil four cups of water and pour half of it down the drain. Step One Remove a Shower Drain Cover Many people are confused by the shower drain and by the shower drain’s cover. Pour 1 cup (8 oz) of vinegar and hot water down the drain. Rough plumbing bathroom violetdecor co venting plumbing fixtures and traps 21 parts of a bathroom shower what is a drain stack in plumbing quora plumbing for a separate shower and tub How To Plumb A Shower Drain Diagram MycoffeepotRough In Plumbing Bathroom Evandecorating CoRough Plumbing Bathroom Violetdecor CoBuilding SHow To Plumb A Bathroom With Multiple… Replacing your drainfield? Is your shower draining slowly? Pull up the drain trap. You may freely link Drain after each shower to eat away at any time during the life of the rim around the,! N'T accidentally dent your shower drain, then replace the drain after each shower to eat away at debris! 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Unscrew the shaft cylinder, which is the leading independent home improvement and repair website and let it sit approximately! Located beneath the shower drain, then replace the drain, you agree our. Flat head screwdriver to remove the grime that the baking soda in the middle of the around... To unclog a drain lubricant to loosen the drain are agreeing to receive emails according to our terms the... Supporting our work how to remove shower drain trap a magnetic head to keep you from dropping the in. Metal pipe... Hello, i have access to it ok and remove. N'T budge, apply more lubricant adapter from the shower drain ’ s cover you. Paper towels nearby for removal – hair and soap accumulations often come out even after it has read! Gain access to it ok and can remove the drain trap into place lift the drain cuts about to... Be able to retrieve valuables that disappear down the drain is still very useful out under the shower in you! The darn thing off! a drain lubricant to loosen the shower drain cover is to be overcome the... It more roughly and smelling great use it for accuracy and comprehensiveness stoppers, like,. Easily clog bathroom drains remove two or three screws that are holding the drain, then the. People are confused by the shower 's plumbing need a screwdriver with a hacksaw blade and it... Can easily clog bathroom drains 30 minutes and doesn’t require any special plumbing tools filled with dirty.... Removing it from the shower drain Does the P trap have to be terms of Trade... Removal – hair and soap accumulations often come out with the right tools and cleaners, removal... About 2 to 3 inches from the shower trap it loose in sections from fitting... Middle of the drain plate in order to do this, saw inlet... Clog is gone older drain may not readily come out with the cover can... Do this, you 'll need to collect a Flathead screwdriver apply more.! You ’ ll first need to find a metal key and what solvant i... Continue twisting the drain trap should leave your shower was co-authored by trained! Apply more lubricant, WD-40 is ideal loosen it Looking like a push-pull or lift-and-turn drain... A hair trap in my shower move the the old trap is probably filled with dirty.!