Then use your wrench to tighten, by one quarter of a turn. Once the flange is carefully threaded into the first few threads of the drain elbow, use the Smart Dumbell to hand-tighten the flange into the drain elbow until tight. The gasket underneath the tub helps to complete the seal between the two pieces. Note: The use of thread sealers, like PTFE tape, is not needed for this application. Slowly turn the drain clockwise to catch the first few threads of the drain elbow underneath the tub. Wrap this underneath the lip of the new flange, making sure that it reaches all the way around. Roll a piece of plumbers putty in your hands that is about the same thickness of a pencil. Squeeze the new gasket into one side of the drain, then push the other side into place.
Try not to disturb the drain elbow while doing this: if the drain elbow becomes misaligned, you risk having to access the underside of the tub to realign the shoe and gasket. To do so, use a flathead screwdriver to gently pry out the old gasket. If it's not, you'll need to replace it (available below). Check this gasket to make sure it is in good shape. Underneath the tub will be a rubber gasket that creates a seal for the drain elbow. Allow to dry before beginning installation of the new drain flange. After a few minutes, the putty should be soft enough to try turning again.Ĭlean drain area, making sure to remove all old putty residue.
Pro Tip: If the drain is stubborn and won't budge (even with the proper tools), heating the flange with a hair dryer on high/hot may soften the putty that's sealing the flange to the tub. Keep turning drain counterclockwise until the old drain is released - it shouldn't take too many turns before the drain comes right out. Following the instructions for the tool, turn counterclockwise. Insert the Drain Key or the Smart Dumbell into the drain.
When you remove the old stopper you may pull up hair and/or other debris, so be sure to have a container or bucket handy to place your dirty parts into since this can get messy! If it's not apparent, you can find out how to remove your stopper here. There are several types of drain stopper, all of which can be removed very easily. For your convenience, we offer a complete tutorial for using these drain tools.įirst, remove the stopper. There are other ways to remove the flange, but those methods are likely to damage your tub (or your tools!) The Drain Key and Smart Dumbell are both designed specifically for this job, and will help to prevent any potential damage to the tub's enamel/finish.īoth the Drain Key and the Smart Dumbell essentially work the same you insert them into the drain and turn counterclockwise to release the old tub drain. To remove a drain flange, it‘s best to use a drain removal tool. Have a plumber's number handy, and don't be ashamed to use it! Keep in mind when attempting to complete a plumbing project yourself that it's easy to "open a can of worms" - you need to be prepared if your simple project suddenly gets out of hand.
Many bathtubs will have an access panel behind the tub, or you may be able to access the plumbing through a crawl space in or under the home. Before attempting any DIY plumbing project in your home, know the access points to your plumbing.