How to remove bathtub drain with broken cross members/ missing members /cross bars

[@soriyazz]

Your husband has a mechanic. A seamstress. A chef. A gardener. A designer. List goes on & on

[@EmekaStanley]

.....A beautiful wife, a home builder, mother to his kids, the list goes on....

[@mechanicman8687]

Can she roll a joint?

[@LifeWithQueenii]

@@mechanicman8687 lol perhaps

[@lachandabrown6249]

I totally agree with you!! She is amazing! Thank you for sharing ❤❤😊

[@vingtsept1684]

You have no idea how grateful I am for your video!!! You saved me money and saved me so much time, I had been trying to remove it for the last few days and with your helped it was removed within 2 minutes! Thank you so much!! You rock! 🙏🙏🙏🔥🔥

[@krcressall]

Thank you!!!! My brain is fried on home improvements..this is my next tackle...😊

[@chrisgrover507]

I was just trying to teach my daughter how to replace the drain when I broke the rest of what was left over of the cross members and I was like well damn lesson over. Now one google search later I found your video and was able to show her see a woman is teaching your dad how to fix it! Great lesson for her and thank you for this video!

[@LifeWithQueenii]

Thank you so much for the comment! Glad my video was helpful

[@NPRGAdmin]

Just what I need! 60-year-old drain with no threads. I’ll try this method before buying the dumbbell. Thanks so much!

[@rosenbergernicholas]

I watched about 3 seconds of this video and it showed exactly what I needed. This might be the greatest video on all of KZbin. I didn't need to know your whole life story or for a 10 minute run up to the answer. Thank you so much. Also the nipple blurring like 30 seconds later was fantastic.

[@LifeWithQueenii]

thanks for watching and yes i blurred it didn't notice it till after i uploaded =/

[@katieramirez1808]

This is SO helpful! I have this exact situation with an old drain where the cross is broken. Plumber has quoted me $375 to remove it, which of course is ABSURD! I thought I could do this myself, and thanks to your video I know I can!

[@LifeWithQueenii]

@@katieramirez1808 glad to help ❤️

[@machine5464]

Drain hasn't been working right for a few years. Finally decided to fix it today and the drain basket crossbar broke immediately. Thank you so much for the idea that on how to get it out. You saved me so much frustration. You are my hero and my Queen.

[@jenniferschmidt7569]

It worked!!! I did yell out "yes Queen!" when I saw it finally turning. Your amazing. I am unemployed again and figured that a penny saved is a penny earned so I am going to DIY a bunch of stuff around the house and yard. Thanks for helping a lady out. Just a city girl here learning little by little. I am refinishing an old tub. Thank you so much!!!

[@LifeWithQueenii]

@@jenniferschmidt7569 lol 😂 glad to help

[@LifeWithQueenii]

@@jenniferschmidt7569 oooh you know I like to refinish tubs and surrounds lol I have a few videos on this

[@emo10001]

This was GENIUS! I have the regular removal tool. Of course my drain was busted. All the big box stores are closed. But now I don't even need to go! Small hammer and regular size pliers. Worked like a charm. Thank you!

[@garettd_]

30 seconds was genuinely all I needed. 10/10 worked like a charm.

[@LifeWithQueenii]

@@garettd_ awesome!

[@lisawood3899]

It was great when you said," for people who don't have an extra $25.00 to buy a tool." So thoughtful. Because I sure don't! Lol. Thanks for the videos. You rock!!!

[@shantimindproductions5585]

I hear that some libraries loan tools & other items. Mine doesn't have tools, but it had this cool laser measurer so I could find the square footage of rooms so I could figure out how much paint to get. Anyways, I'm glad Queenii's got it covered!

[@LifeWithQueenii]

@@davidjohnston3440 who wants to pay $25 for something that may not work or may be used once? go away with your negative self.

[@sergiosimoes8365]

This worked for me and saved a bunch of money on a plumber. Thank you so much for this tip. Took some effort but in the end it went perfectly.

[@FG.Fitness]

Worked like a charm! I needed to use bigger pilars but it came out super easy! Thank you.

[@jasminedavidson6330]

I thank God for you. I tried this today 2/1/23 and it worked!! Many blessings💕

[@mercymae23]

I'm late to the party, but I'm commenting anyway. I was about to cry. 😂 I bought the special tool and the cross bar crumbled like chalk. My drain wanted to be one with the tub. After watching numerous videos, this was the trick that got my corroded drain out. I thought that I was hallucinating when it started rotating. New drain and cover installed! You are a freaking gem!

[@LifeWithQueenii]

lol I know the feeling of “hallucinating “ like it’s actually working 🤣😭 glad it helped ❤️

[@germandimplez]

Okay now! I don’t know what happened to the cross bar. Top of drain is gone. So all I have is the middle part (threads) inside the pvc. Can not install new drain until this part is gone. Imma try this! Wish me luck.

[@mercymae23]

​@germandimplez You got this! Just take breaks and keep trying. I, for one, will be more proactive before any of my drains get to this point ever again. Mine was in far worse condition than the one in the video, and it still eventually came out.

[@pastorjohn1814]

You are a genius! I have the special tool. It did not work. I had to play with the hammer and cheap pliers for awhile, but I finally got them jammed in next to the hammer, Ithen tucked the plier handles under (behind)the hammer claw and used gloves so I could put a lot of pressure on them. Best to use cheap pliers. They wiggled in there better tan my expansive ones. To my amazement the drain started to move. I was so happy. It took awhile, but your method beat all the other methods I saw on KZbin and it came out. Hallelujah. May God bless you!

[@evwadesmith]

I have bought multiple special tools for this and none of them work. I’m going to try this when I get home! Getting that drain out is the difference between $100 fix and a complete bathroom remodel. Thank you!

[@walthartley813]

Just watched another person’s video which showed a ridiculously difficult method to remove the drain….switched to your video and saw a great, easy, inexpensive method that worked beautifully for me. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

[@lindaelwell1924]

I have an old stopper, looks exactly the same, thanks for the idea with hammer and pliers.. I'll go sit in the tub tomorrow and try it.

[@therealwinton]

Brilliant! Once I heated up the drain and chiseled away to loosen it, this technique brought me to the finish line. Thank you!

[@bobfoster4448]

Thanks Queenii. It worked great. Less than 5 minutes, no trip to Home Depot, no wasting $20.00 for the specialized tool. Thanks very much!

[@LifeWithQueenii]

You’re welcome ☺️

[@grantbruursema]

This video was a lifesaver. I bought all the right tools and they failed me. This got the job done. Appreciate you.

[@LifeWithQueenii]

No problem, happy it helped hope you can return the tools

[@artosbear]

Perfect. We just moved into a new house and the tub drains are terrible, covered in line build up. We were able to renegotiate the contract price down for a number of things like that but I'm so glad to find videos like this. I was worried I was going to have to sit there and use a little saw and screw driver and hammer to break the drain apart carefully. I'll be trying this shortly!

[@garymiller1875]

This Lady has the skill! I was about to toss the drain flange project when thankfully I found this fix. I tried another you tube fix but it didn't work! Subscribed.

[@LifeWithQueenii]

Happy to help

[@PrimeDesignsProperties]

Every other video on here says to use a saw and some other tools for this, but this method took me less than 2 minutes. Thanks for posting this method 🙏🏾

[@LifeWithQueenii]

Happy it helped you

[@melodysmash]

OH MY GOSH I cannot believe this worked! Took some serious muscle, but I didn't even think it was possible to get this 50-year old drain out of this cast-iron tub. Thank you!

[@LifeWithQueenii]

No problem 😉

[@ThorHammerhands]

I had the same broken drain crossmember issue and this idea totally worked for me! I added heating the drain up with a heat gun to help loosen the plumbers putty. You are a savage...great tip, thanks!

[@grayslate219]

Amazing job, I so respect women taking on jobs that only men used to do, so inspiring. Thank you for sharing.

[@dkuusisto3813]

Fantastic! I had just watched a guy linking tools, trying to be helpful and he took longer to get it done. Your way is common sense, saves money, and move on to the next job. You “sold” me!

[@LifeWithQueenii]

Thanks!

[@carolcrotser7867]

I just NEEDED to thank you for taking the time to share videos that are understandable! I bought a home built in 1908. Trying not to spend what I don't have is important since I'm on my own doing the work it needs. It can be difficult at times (yes financially but mostly emotionally) because my family have all passed away, hence why I cry a lot but must pursue on. All of my power tools were stolen the day before my birthday this year when my home was broken into and when I have 2 pennies to run together they must be saved for the cold winter months without a heating source other than ideas from KZbin and space heaters. I rarely comment or subscribe to anything but I enjoyed your video so much (along with noticing more I'd like to watch as well) that I decided to subscribe & comment. Keep up the girl power Queenie!

[@bryangriffin3171]

You were a big help, I wasn't thinking outside the box , There was a small piece left where the cross piece broke off , I used pliers and turning it with a closed wrench , Thank you

[@rayshawk]

Absolute perfection here! Seems so simple in hindsight, but would never have thought of using a hammer in this application.

[@jmeeze]

Your method worked for me. I’ve been trying to get this drain out for a week. Thank you !!!🙏

[@mmjneal]

I watched 85 videos and STILL couldn't get the drain out-- This video saved the day!! THANK YOU!

[@brunor78]

This was a life saver! I had went out and bought a drain remover, only to have the "T" break off. I couldn't believe I'd have to buy another tool until I saw your video. After testing other techniques I was sceptical but this worked! Thank you!

[@LifeWithQueenii]

You’re welcome

[@green74ltd]

WOW! That was too easy. It also worked with regular plyers! I bought 3 special tools, tried a heat gun, tried to get under edge with flat edge, argued with husband, looked at 10 other videos. Yes I'm subscribing to you and see what else you make easy to do. Thank you.

[@LifeWithQueenii]

@@green74ltd lol glad to help!

[@browcio71]

I was fighting with that flange for a while before I decided to let KZbin help. Got it loose, thank you! You're a life saver 😊

[@LifeWithQueenii]

Glad to help 😊

[@psara5278]

This is perfect instruction, thank you! I had just no ideas how to fix my broken drain, and you made it easy!

[@cynthiacurry9399]

I am not a plumber and it did take me a few tries but the hammer and the needles nose pliers really works. I actually got the sink drain out. Thank you thank you thank you

[@lobdsk]

I was completely sceptical about your method. After trying it I felt definite resistance. I used a chisel which gave me a sharp edge to get into the sides of the drain. Thanks a bunch

[@LifeWithQueenii]

Glad to help ❤️

[@marshadreger9409]

You are a life saver! My bathtub drain connection broke off. I found your video and as so relieved! I can fix it myself!!! Thank You!!!!!

[@christinalooker7912]

Thank you so much for this video. My crossbar is broken and I had no idea what to do and was going to call a plumber. You saved me ❤

[@xiradio]

Hammer and pliers did the trick! You are a genius! I would definitely protect the new drain from nicks using a cloth between the pliers or drain tool when installing.

[@jeffmunroe1740]

THAT . . . was perfect! I loved how you totally and excellently Macgyvered the removal with common tools, but did a pro job. It's exactly the sort of thinking I need right now to inspire me. Man, I'm in the middle of that sort of crap, trying to update a late eighties, cookie-cutter townhome, and this is exactly the sort of issue I keep running into on my 'adventures'. You rock!

[@LifeWithQueenii]

Thanks jeff, sometimes if you cant figure it out right away ( whatever it is that you're doing) take a step back , eat something and come back to it later

[@jeffmunroe1740]

@@LifeWithQueenii Truth. And it worked like a charm. Thanks again, and I'm pretty much up to my elbows in Reno-land right now, so when I told my wife I needed to fix the tub asap she foresaw a week without showers . . . she thanks you too, big time! Cheers! :)

[@LifeWithQueenii]

@@jeffmunroe1740 you guys are very welcome! good luck on the reno =)

[@nahashonnjagi9415]

IT WORKED LIKE MAGIC!!! I was almost giving up after trying several demos from KZbin!!! Thanks, thanks thanks 🤩🤩

[@Swat-qi5wz]

Genius woman!!!! 😂🥰 thank you for this helpful hint because a broken drain was the last thing to completely remove the old tub in my camper reno 😇 God Bless!!!

[@piggjf]

Thanks. I didn't use quite the same tools, but the idea was sound. Much better than wasting my money on a drain extractor.

[@johnhildreth3147]

Amazing! I consider myself a reasonably capable guy buy I highly doubt I could have pulled this trick off without your genius “hack”. Very nicely done 👏🏾

[@OmgitsAntonio]

when i tell you... that i was struggling all day and found this video and it saved me. thank you for posting this

[@LifeWithQueenii]

@@OmgitsAntonio glad to help ❤️

[@garytooker8664]

The world needs more people like you

[@LifeWithQueenii]

Aaww thanks Gary

[@saulmartinez2695]

Thank you very much for the savings and education,I need to do this replacement and your video saved me of a lot of grief on how to remove the old drain,couldn't be any easier to understand and follow procedure,amazing!!

[@5H3KN0WS]

You are a genius! After the tool I purchased failed, your ingenuity saved the day!

[@JerryHerman-n3c]

Tried first with the proper tool but the crosspiece broke down. The pliers/hammer is an excellent idea. Thanks a lot.!

[@karuppasamyramalingam4666]

Thanks. i had a similar situation at my home and the handyman couldn't remove the drain plug with the typical tool and i showed him this and provided the tools that you used, beleive me, it wasn't easy but eventually he remove it. Thanks again for the great post

[@estarnes3]

Thank you for sharing! This worked like a champ. I was expecting to have to purchase a set of EZ outs! Not necessary at all. Really didn’t require much pressure at all to remove.

[@TheKimONeill]

Oh my gosh, my drain looked exactly like that. Tried your trick, was working, but it was stubborn. In the end, just the top ring portion broke off. On the plus side, I was able to get the new tub shoe in there and it looks marvelous :)

[@kwags1386]

Thank you for this video!! I appreciate you having the items you already at home to remove the tarnished drain. I hate when you have to go buy a tool you will only need once. The hammer and pliers worked great!! I only wished you would have shown a better picture of the putty going on and if you need to use the rubber gasket too. Your video helped me so much!!

[@officiallytrav_day]

That is what stumped me, too. I'm hoping the gasket is only if you don't have putty, which I did have, so I didn't use it. The new drain instructions didn't say to use it so idk. 🤷🏼‍♂

[@JoAnnAiman-vg6mc]

You literally just saved my little project. I watched other videos saying I have to cut and get fancy tools. You solved my issue in 2 min!

[@cabbynate]

I was just about to order that $25 tool. Not any more! Please don't take this the wrong way but I watched 10 KZbin video's all by men and they used special tools to remove abd install the drain. $35 worth of tools i will probably only use once. It takes a woman to show me how I can do it with tools I already have. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I'm disabled with no expendable cash and you just made my day!😊. Now where's that darn hammer!!!

[@LifeWithQueenii]

@@cabbynate thank you for the compliment I truly appreciate it ❤️

[@helendenis1115]

I found your video just as my husband was leaving to buy a tool to remove our bathtub drain (no cross members)......I convinced him to try your method and voila! Saved ourselves some money....thank you :)

[@LifeWithQueenii]

Glad to help

[@elliealexander5788]

Thank you, thank you! This worked like a charm on our 75 year old drain!! You’re my hero

[@LifeWithQueenii]

No problem ♥️ happy to help

[@Sunnbuzz]

Excellent video, I accidentally did the same thing with grout cleaner and tarnished my drain on a nice tub, I'm a renter but my apartment was a brand new build when I moved in 5 years ago and has a really nice deep soaker tub which I keep in perfect condition. I asked my good friend who is a contractor and who I work with occasionally if I could change the drain without accessing the underneath and he said no, lol Imma going to be talking to him tomorrow, he's very talented so he said no for a reason but he should also know me better I find a way when people say no lol

[@ChristianConservativ]

First person on here (KZbin) that I have seen that did it without the aluminum tub drain removal wrench. Great job!

[@LifeWithQueenii]

Thanks 😊

[@jamesrazo517]

Ur information on the removal of the tub drain was absolutely great, it literally took me only 10 minutes , removal and install, thank you very much saved me sooo much time and fusstration

[@LifeWithQueenii]

Happy to help ❤️🌹

[@missygrando1965]

You are right about the tools. I am glad you did this because I need to refinish my tub and update the hardware.

[@the_part_time_geek]

I'm a 47 year old dude, and I didn't know how to do this. I had to use two crescent wrenches instead of the needle nose pliers, but the theory was completely sound! Thank you for your help!

[@LifeWithQueenii]

no problem!

[@PM-xp3sc]

Genius. Pure genius. I tried the specialty tool, hammer claw, and was just about to start cutting (yikes!)... This method worked perfectly. Thank you, thank you, thank you !!

[@LifeWithQueenii]

No problem!

[@lookintomyeyes83]

Truly a Queen. Broke my cross piece and was worried it was irreplaceable. Thanks!

[@robynfrank9944]

We just used your technique on a broken strainer/ drain and it worked like a charm!! Thank you!

[@LifeWithQueenii]

Your welcome

[@Hollywood4Fun]

This is hands down the best method for removing a broken drain. I just did it and it worked great. Thanks!

[@LifeWithQueenii]

Thanks for giving it a try ❤️

[@Hollywood4Fun]

I watched another video before this one and the guy was using a saw to cut through the metal drain piece. He was talking about going very slow and being careful so you don't hit the threads of the pipe it's screwed into. Then he got a screwdriver out and was pushing it underneath the lip of the drain saying you could tap it with a hammer. I didn't like his advice at all. Seemed like a good way to mess everything up. But once I saw your method I was all about it. And it worked great. Thanks again!

[@LifeWithQueenii]

@@Hollywood4Fun that sounds risky 😬 but glad I could help

[@thegregmyster]

Just wanted to say thanks. I was looking at spending some additional money on tools to remove the drain when my crossbar broke. Found your video and with information from it and another video was able to successfully remove the drain without damaging the threading.

[@danielg1676]

Lady you rock!!!! I started with the tool superior 05255 but nothing. After, I found your video and I finish the job your way. Honestly you are amazing. My respects. Thanks for your help

[@LifeWithQueenii]

happy to help!

[@CraigLing]

Used your pliers and hammer trick and it worked wonderfully! Thanks for posting this!

[@4doorSi]

Thanks for the awesome hammer and plier trick.. I was going to chisel the rim of the drain to loosen it… this was much easier. You saved me a lot of effort for sure! God bless!

[@LifeWithQueenii]

❤️☺️ glad it worked for you

[@ethancoleman4212]

Awesome awesome awesome! It worked. This took a few tries to get it just right. This worked better than professional tools for the problem. I would suggest use it some WD-40 around the outside.

[@cwicks1984]

Thank you so so so so much for this video. I didn't know how I was going to get my drain fixed. Your method was a life saver!!!

[@CahliaShay]

I love you! I've never taken a drain out before and mine is missing the inside piece. This video saved me so much time and headache. Thank you!!

[@LifeWithQueenii]

You're welcome!!

[@DovahDiva]

Thanks! I bought a house that had a broken stopper and the metal screw from the old stopper is permanently stuck in the drain sticking out. Replacing the entire drain is definitely easier than anything else I've tried!

[@JacquelineC-o5h]

You are a badass! Thank you! I couldn't handle going to buy another tool - of course a woman would figure out a genious way to do this without buying another tool - you are my hero.

[@jbsbigboy]

Thanks for the video. I used the special tools from Home Depot, broke the cross members, and was about to give up. I ended up using a hammer wedged with a flat metal file as per your demo. Worked like a charm.👍

[@LifeWithQueenii]

Hopefully you can return the special tool! Thanks for watching!

[@kimberlyhonea4225]

Thank you so much for showing us this. I was about to buy that fancy tool, and I don’t have the money, I do however have a hammer and pliers. God Bless!! 🙏🏻

[@kevintinzy7335]

Thank you. I was looking at others with tools and I was getting ready to go buy tools tomorrow. But I came across your video. My drain is only about 5 to 6 years old. The tread rusted and the twist thing had nothing to twist into to close it. Thank you so much.

[@LifeWithQueenii]

you're welcome

[@mikeorourke3332]

THANK YOU!! I was about to give up and I'm so glad that I watched this. The hammer/pliers combo kinda worked, but my hammer was too big. I just kept trying different size pliers and it worked!!

[@normslater518]

Your a genius for sure, you gave me the idea and so I went to remove mine but instead of a hammer and pliers I use a short flat crow bar that fits tight because of its flat curved end and I had the 12 inch leverage to turn it better and with more power. be sure without your idea I would have never thought of that, I was just about to use my sals all on it, because of you thank God I didn't and now its removed without any hassles or stress. your idea is awesome man. God bless you and thank you for sharing. :)

[@jonathanwenzel2172]

thank you for this because some other guy is on here talking about cutting it out, and his video doesn't even tell you what he's using to cut and there's a higher chance of damaging the tub his way anyway.

[@terrygerhart1485]

Awesome, you are field engineer, improvise with what is available, the highest level of acknowledgement.

[@kevinquayle2135]

Thank you for this! I broke the cross members off my drain last night and I thought my wife was going to kill me since she has to have her baths. I found your video and it worked like a charm. My normal hammer didn't work well but I happened to have a square faced hammer that did the trick.

[@LifeWithQueenii]

happy to help!

[@danafowlersr8687]

Totally worked! Thanks for sharing. Had no clue on how to get this out. Appreciate it so much!

[@Valmont1978]

For real all these videos recommend special expensive tools. Home girl solved my problem with a hammer and needle nose. Hells yeah!

[@hazzb812]

Hey I watched this video a million times before I had to change mines, thank you so much for showing me a DIY with house products ❤️❤️💪🏽💪🏽

[@jackbarnes8812]

Thank you for sharing this. It worked for my waste plug in my basin, that was too stubborn to remove with pliers alone!

[@GraysReptiles]

Thank you so very much for this amazing video. I accidentally broke the X in the shower drain the other day and thought, now I did it. Watching this was so very helpful with getting the bathtub drain out. You are awesome. Thank you for sharing.

[@LifeWithQueenii]

no problem

[@webnation212]

This worked the first time and got the job done. Thank you so much for this

[@richardtornero5755]

Great Video, I had the same issue with my 15 yo drains for both my bathtubs, I had a tool but when I used it the metal that it engages with just broke away...so I had to resort to another method, so thanks for the idea with the tools. I was trying to do it with some materials that were slipping too much prior to me seeing this video. You would have made one hell of an A-ganger in the Navy.

[@LifeWithQueenii]

Thank you I appreciate the compliment, happy the video helped

[@teachbearcop]

I can't believe that it worked! Thank you for saving me some money!

[@LifeWithQueenii]

anytime =)

[@ChuckDeFuque]

LifeWithQueenii While I did not finish watching your video, you showed me what I needed to know! I will be doing that later this afternoon! Thank you!

[@brandonwetmore]

You rock. Used this to remove a drain that the cross bars broke halfway through the installation. Took a bit to get started but once i got it went real quick .

[@jmo2215]

What a great instructional video. You made it very easy to follow along with your step by step process. I had money burning in my pocket and I was going to buy a fancy fancy tool until I watched your video. Kidding. Thanks again for the video.

[@justinoakley4925]

Thank you! Your hammer and plier trick worked when the special tool I bought wouldn't budge the old drain.

[@LifeWithQueenii]

Glad to help

[@kayleadiane6549]

Awesome!! Thanks for the informative video!!! Going to give it a go here shortly. Doing a whole tub/surround reno and wasn't sure how to tackle this part.