Bathtub Drain Kit Install [Through Access Panel]

[@robertlee4172]

Yup, I shore know that feeling. The anxiety of fitting in a $1000 dollar tub for the first time. Luckily for me, the plastic access panel I got from Lowe's gave me a lot more wiggle room. If in the future, I decide to patch that bit of gyproc, it wouldn't cost more than a coupla bucks. My tub went in without any struggle. Those extra 'specialty' plumbing tools are worth the money, as they save you from fabricating or rigging up devices to get the job done proper. Hell, I priced out the tub install from local professionals. They were asking for thousand$$$. Now I know how to trouble shoot leaks and maintain the mechanical integrity of my plumbing throughout my home. Don't even get me started on the HVAC system in my house. I should have learned these skills decades ago.

[@coolhandryan]

Absolutely, Robert. All great things. It's very liberating to know how to do this stuff and put it to work on your investment.

[@NilsVidstrand]

By far the coolest and most informative DIY video on this bathtub drain/overflow ABS refit. Dude! to be able to do all the work in such tight spaces, light it so professionally and video all the steps and to be funny with great edits made it awesome!!! Appreciate you Mr. Cool Hand!

[@coolhandryan]

Awesome, Nils. Really appreciate your time in commenting.

[@NilsVidstrand]

@@coolhandryan my pleasure Ryan. I’m glad I had my sawsall handy as I too had a cross board in the way. My wife sends a huge thanks as now she gets her hot bath!!

[@deborahfairbanks4012]

I'm replacing my bathtub drain assembly but I'm using the original brass parts that are still good. However I need to couple the drain with a fernco rubber tubing because the threads from my original drain waste pipe were damaged when I removed the old corroded pipe that was soldered inside. I may try to replace the waste pipe to the elbow with pro dope and tape. If it leaks I will need to remove the drain shoe and replace it with a new factory welded one. I am trying to avoid removing the drain as it is solidly in there.

[@coolhandryan]

Sounds like a rough situation. If the threads are ruined, I’d replace the part. The question you have to ask is whether the old brass piece is worth a potential leak and water damage?

[@niecedspain3568]

Will you be able to get that drain stopper out ever if you put caulk on it instead of plumbers putty? I’m getting ready to do this.

[@coolhandryan]

I imagine it will require a little more torque, but yes. It should come out fine. Its not really glue, like an epoxy, caulking is just a sealant that adheres better than puddy.

[@romeobravo78]

Great video! I just got the westbrass drain assembly for an American Standard Studio Tub. The vertical pipe is too short. Should I just get another longer piece of 1.5' sch 40 pvc to stretch it out?

[@coolhandryan]

Thanks! Yes, I would pick up a 2’ section from one of the warehouse stores and cut it to the size you need. They sell 2’ sections for that purpose, I think.

[@simplelifewithlyn]

I'm gonna be really nervous on replacing ours, but gonna have to learn stuff like this. thanks for a great tutorial. new subscriber here.

[@coolhandryan]

You got it, Lyn!!

[@simplelifewithlyn]

@@coolhandryan I'm curious how ours is gonna turn out since the drain is badly corroded. I'm afraid it is just gonna break into small pieces and not come off cleanly. will probably try to record and share it in my channel, whether it is successful or not. thanks again and take care.

[@choimdachoim9491]

The only trouble with dry-fitting is that when later you apply the adhesive the pieces will smoothly slide just a little bit deeper together so ya gotta make extremely legible color-contrasted marks on your pipes at the dry-fitted depths or else you're screwed. Question: with caulking on the threads of the drain-strainer, will you be actually able to remove it later if needed? I've never seen that before. Usually just plumber's putty or silicone caulk between the tub and the lip of the strainer.

[@coolhandryan]

Great note! The adhesive acts like a lubricant until it sets up.

[@I-sed-no]

Scared shitless but I'm going at it anyway very soon. Gotta learn how to do this work! Thanks for the video.

[@coolhandryan]

You totally got it. Easy peasy.

[@DoNtCaReBrO_305]

39 seconds into the video and this shit's awesome. I'm in

[@coolhandryan]

Thx Freddy

[@TheExc71]

Okay. Nice. What do you do if you don't have access to the underside of the tub?

[@coolhandryan]

For my hall bath, I went through the other side of tile wall, replaced the fittings and patched the wall. It was a pretty big section I took out, probably a foot wide by 18" tall so I could get arms in to do the work. Run a 1x2 across the inside of the hole and connect it with drywall screws to set new drywall, patch, texture, paint.

[@digdug5945]

Please tell me you didn't use Kwik seal.

[@fuzzydrawrings269]

lmao that drain won't be coming out again without an angle grinder!

[@gardenlabs]

Nice video. 👍

[@coolhandryan]

Thanks, Brock! Appreciate you taking the time to comment.

[@March808]

🤦🏻‍♂️alright bro here goes nothing 🤷🏻‍♂️I’m going to give it a try. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 uugghh pray for me lol

[@coolhandryan]

Every project is a bit different. But since your diving in, I’m guessing you’ve got a good idea what needs to be done! Bob and weave, bob and weave. 😂🔨

[@penknight8532]

@@coolhandryan lol Stick and Move... Stick and Move!

[@corymoore9426]

its bad bro. 6 inch or 5 inch thick tar. hard kinda on to about a 16" but after that its just tar no amount of chiseling its bad. Im so close to putting in this tub and all and this is my hang up.

[@coolhandryan]

Can you possibly soften it with heat before digging it out?

[@corymoore9426]

$500 job in Louisiana Id put in the sweat equity if I had the knowledge ,so Im going to let the professionals dig.@@coolhandryan

[@corymoore9426]

went from a simple task to very expensive real quick

[@coolhandryan]

Curious. What made yours expensive?

[@corymoore9426]

0ld plumbing cast iron@@coolhandryan

[@corymoore9426]

louisiana@@coolhandryan

[@gemmy_is_gummy8967]

YESSSS!!

[@coolhandryan]

Yesssssssss. :)

[@victoryak86]

Didn’t you install the tapered foam washer upside down? With the taper of the tub, it means there’s a wider gap at the top of the pipe than at the bottom. Therefore the fat part of the washer needs to be at the top, correct?

[@coolhandryan]

The angle makes itself known while installing. It won’t fit on easy if its wrong. In this particular situation, and i think its typical, the pipe top runs into the tub at its outward point, which creates an upside down V shape.

[@victoryak86]

@@coolhandryan oh ok makes sense. I was thinking backwards 😑. Of course it would be closer at the top, thus making the wider part of the flange at bottom. Sorry for the dumb comment and thx for the reply.

[@coolhandryan]

@victoryak86 haha, no worries. I'm usually staring at it wondering the same thing until I put it against the tub. 😂

[@victoryak86]

@@coolhandryan thx bud. Great channel and videos. Subscribed.

[@corymoore9426]

my drain pipe is in concrete

[@coolhandryan]

Oof. Hopefully you have room to add adapters and stuff.