How To Access A Bathtub Drain

Learn how and why access holes may need to be cut in order to access a bathtub drain assembly for repair or installation.
Installing a new or replacement bathtub means that you'll need to connect the drain from below or from the side of the tub. How do you get access? Sometimes you just have to cut a hole from another room!

[@nickcollins7568]

What you need is a bath with a removable side panel like we have in the UK. The bath goes in first and access is still available from side to connect up the waste. The panel then gets fitted on afterwards. Easy to check for leaks and easily removable for future problems. Fascinating to see how other countries do their plumbing differently.

[@enduringcharm]

I agree--it is interesting to see how things are done elsewhere. Unfortunately, when best practices are found elsewhere too the different designs or methods are not adopted by manufacturers or in the building codes. There's more politics and profit in buildign codes and practices than you might think at first glance.

[@terrellknight1756]

Thanks for the vid man!

[@cwalters7399]

Great video, 👍 what State are you located at?

[@Beast96GT]

Very informative, thanks for posting. However, how do you disconnect the drain at the bottom from the tub itself?

[@enduringcharm]

You may or may not be able to unscrew the drain assembly--often the plumbers putty or silicone used to seal the drain has become so stubborn over time that the drain cannot be unscrewed. They do make special tools for to hook the drain strainer from above and unscrew it, but many just use an open end wrench stood upright or the handle of a pair of pliers. Typically, though, an older drain won't budge or the strainer "legs" will just snap off. If I'm removing a tub I'm cutting or smashing it into pieces anyway, so I don't bother with the drain, I just cut around it.

[@Beast96GT]

Thank you for the response! I guess I didn't understand why you have to get access to p-trap / overflow before you take the tub out. I can unscrew the drain and the overflow cover no problem. So if I understand correctly, you only have to make an access hole in the wall on the other side or the ceiling if you CAN'T remove the drain. Otherwise you can just demo the tile and cut the silicone and lift it out. I think the Home Depot video I watched assumed I wanted to keep the tile. But I'm replacing it all. Thank you!!!

[@enduringcharm]

Actually, the access hole is not for demo, but for re-installing. In other words, to connect the drain to a new tub you'll need an access hole either in the wall on the other side or from below.

[@Aaaaa-pw2gt]

What’s the name of that drain assembly, where the drain goes straight into the p trap, rather than the overflow pipe?

[@joelandes5089]

Tailpipe

[@DEACONPETERWATSON]

The trade world interesting career, if you want to be a millionaire be a Plumer.

[@peritraynor2904]

In other words you’re f’d. Need to remodel entire house just to unclog the bathtub!

[@enduringcharm]

Well, that may be a slight exaggeration, but it's not uncommon to need to cut an access hole in a ceiling below or a side wall near.