The drain is the most crucial part of your shower. The drain is essential because without it, water from your shower will not have a place to go and your bathroom could quickly flood.
This guide will explain what a shower drain looks like and how to get rid of it. Continue reading to learn how to remove a shower drain.
- Related: Different types of showerheads
- Shower Heads For Low Water Pressure
What does a shower drain do?
Let’s first look at what a drain is and how it works. A shower drain, as you may already know is the hole at the bottom of your shower tray that allows water to flow out.
The drain makes sure that your shower tray doesn’t overflow and does not flood your bathroom. Although it may seem very simple, the drain in your shower tray is actually quite complex.
It’s not a drain, but a hole at the bottom of your shower. If that were the case, the water would pool on the floor below your shower. This can be avoided by connecting the shower drain to the plumbing.
The plumbing runs underneath the shower tray into your home’s central water system. The water from your shower will drain to your home’s sewers.
You might wonder why your shower drain doesn’t produce sewer gases. Pipes can run both directions. Shower drains are designed to avoid this. Now that you know what a Shower Drain is, let us take a look at how we can remove it.
Why would you remove your shower drain?
You might now be asking why you would take out your shower drain. Although there is no clear answer, most people remove and replace their shower drains for one reason or another.
- It is damaged and must be replaced.
- You’re remodeling or installing a shower.
How to Remove a Shower Drain
How do you get rid of your shower drain? This step-by-step guide will show you how to remove your shower drain.
Unclog Your Drain
First, check whether your shower drain is blocked. It is a good idea if your drain is slightly blocked before moving it. It will be more difficult to unclog your drain if it is very clogged.
You should use a drain snake or a mixture hot water and vinegar to unclog your drain before you proceed.
Drain Your Drain
After your drain is unclogged, you need to dry it. Use a towel to wipe down the drain. You can now move on to the next step.
Lubrication
Next, you will need to lubricate the shower drain. This can be done with WD-40 or a silicon based lubricant. This is especially important if the shower drain is old and is not well secured.
Check for Screws
After you have lubricated your drain, check for screws. You should remove any screws that are found within the drain. Your drain will be much looser after you have removed all the screws and lubricated it.
Use Pliers
Next, take your 2-nosed pair of pliers to locate the drain openings on either side. After you have located these openings, insert your pliers carefully into them.
Place your pliers and clamp on the holes. Twist clockwise, while simultaneously pulling. Your shower drain should now be free.
More Force
If that fails, you can use more force to pull and keep twisting.
You don’t want to cause damage to the drain so it is important to begin gently. If the drain doesn’t move easily with gentle pressure, you can use a little more force to pull on it. You can try adding a bit more lubricant.
Drain the Water Out
You can now feel the drain is loose. Take another pair of 2-nosed scissors and attach them to the openings opposite to the one you have.
Gently pull the two sets of pliers apart with your other hand. The drain will be taken out and can be repaired or replaced according to your preferences.
As the editor of the blog, She curate insightful content that sparks curiosity and fosters learning. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, she strive to bring diverse perspectives and engaging narratives to readers, ensuring every piece informs, inspires, and enriches.
