Remove a Stuck Bathtub Drain Flange

[@frankmurray7225]

Thank you so much for your video. The drain was in there forever and would not budge. I bought the barbell drain wrench and still had no luck removing it. After watching your video, it took me less than 10 minutes to remove the old drain and install the new one. Thanks again.

[@simplehomediy618]

That’s great! Happy that you found a solution that worked for you.

[@theapostol77]

Awesome idea! My drain had been there for 40 years and your idea with the heat gun worked GREAT! Mine was stuck , so I had to use a hammer on the wrench ,but all it took was one blow and it started turning! Thanks for sharing!

[@robertpich2632]

3 days of lubing the drain with Blaster and nothing.Got to where I feared I would bend of break the inner "bar" that I was wedging the pliers into.Applied heat from hair-dryer,gave a few good whacks with a hammer,and amazingly the drain flange began to move.Kept going left to right and kept putting Blaster in but finally got it out.Thank you for the video.

[@sherivecera3496]

Just wanted to thank you for this video!! After two days of trying to get my tub drain out, and the purchase of 4 different tools, I was finally able to get that thing out this afternoon. I had tried the blow dryer, but I guess not for long enough - and I was just about to give up! Then I googled one more time and found your video. Screw all those fancy tools - a blow dryer, needle nose pliers and a wrench is all I needed!! THANK YOU!!

[@AlexAlex-kt9ux]

Awesome idea. I watched the video, 30 seconds after got the hair dryer, a similar tool and after waiting for about 4 minutes with the heat the thing got out. Thanks a lot!

[@joshuapikett9807]

I see stars

[@jefffreeman8961]

Alex Alex wanted to say thank you. Used my wife's hair dryer for 2 minutes still wouldn't budge. Did it for 4 like you said twisted right off. Thanks again!

[@mattcass738]

The hair dryer for 4 minutes worked like a charm. Wouldn’t budge at 2 minutes but it broke free without a problem at 4.

[@ScuffedAnimal]

Thanks dude, mine was ridiculously tight. Nice idea with the needle nose and after 2 mins with the hair dryer she came unstuck!

[@imwyrmfood9925]

the hair dryer tip saved my ass. This is the best part about the internet right here. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@simplehomediy618]

Glad that it worked for you! I can appreciate that not everyone will have a heat gun so it’s awesome that it helped.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks! I had purchased a special removal tool but I couldn't get the broken drain to budge. Heated up the drain just like you mention and the drain came right out nice and easy on the next try. Much appreciated.

[@simplehomediy618]

Always great to find small tips that work out!

[@leroytiberke3439]

Thank you, didn't use any heater short of things, I just use two screwdrivers and put both on opposite side of each other and turn it and it works like a charm. Your a life saver

[@69avas]

The hair dryer tip just saved me a lot of money, thank you!

[@JohnHancotte]

Just as you instructed, this worked perfectly. Don't think I've ever done this before, so you saved a lot of anguish.

[@GregKrehbiel]

A word of warning. This method definitely works for turning and removing a stuck drain flange. In my case, it also torqued the PVC pipe underneath the tub and ripped it, causing a leak, which was a bear to fix! So if your drain flange is stuck, ask yourself if you *really* need to get it out, and if it's worth the risk of messing up the plumbing under the tub. (I had to cut a hole in my kitchen ceiling to get to the pipes to repair the damage!)

[@simplehomediy618]

You’re definitely right. Always a risk and something to consider.

[@ttnnaples8060]

Again...men have the muscle. And tend to be too heavy handed. Calls for finesse.

[@robertnoonan3991]

Thanks for the warning

[@psdaengr911]

If the tub is composite plastic covered with epoxy "porcelain" , not steel, you can also damage the tub.

[@tomz3214]

I was Stuck & found this vid. I sprayed w. Blaster wait 15mn. Use Heat Gun for 1min....exactly. it smoked cause of the blaster, but it worked 🎉🎉🎉🎉 You Saved my sanity

[@simplehomediy618]

Glad you got it off!

[@cynthiaduhamel994]

Wow, single senior woman...kinda handy...this is a great trick! Now if I could get the spigot off my garden tub, I would be in seventh heaven. Thank you for your video!!!!

[@psdaengr911]

Thanks for the suggestion about heating; that plus PB Blaster softened/dissolved the putty directly under the flange. That was the issue. The little bit of putty on the threads wasn't. The globs of putty that fell into the drain took longer to clean than replacing the drain. BUT -Plumbers putty is NEVER used on threads because it doesn't seal fine spaces, it's water-based and it will dry out. Don't copy what the previous dufuss did. Pipe threads, especially fine threads like you see on that brass collar, should be wrapped with teflon tape which lubricates as it goes together, lubricates and forms a seal that will never dry out, and will lubricate if you must later disassemble the joined parts. There IS pipe dope that plumbers sometimes use on coarse steel and black iron gas pipe threads. It isn't plumbers putty, it's oil based and doesn't dry out. Plumber's putty is ONLY used to make a seal between a flange and a stationary fixture when a rubber gasket can't match the contour. Most replacement bathtub drain sets include a synthetic rubber gasket because a steel or plastic tub flexes in use, unlike an old cast claw foot tub. Today entire plumbing stacks made of plastic flex lose the putty. I made the mistake of hiring the plumbers from hell to make connections to my remodeled bathroom and kitchen thinking that a professional plumber would do a better job than an amateur diyer. I was wrong - dishwasher air gap installed upside down, hot cold pipes reversed and installed without dilelectric unions where copper met iron pipe. I had to finish the job myself and am still finding things they screwed up. They installed my bath drain with NO dope or tape which is why I was looking for tips and found this video.

[@rshaffer4267]

I found this video very useful, why would 21 people feel they had to give it a thumbs down. It takes all kinds to make the world go around.

[@henrygonzalez1201]

You sir are an idiot just like the guy who made the shit video, there is a process and correct procedure to accomplish this task the originator of the vid did not follow any of the proper steps and his drain was lose from the get go.

[@Cmoney860]

@@henrygonzalez1201 oh Henry thr genius........

[@007MegaRoll]

it keeps spinning but wont come out, what to do?

[@DanielJohn19]

I struggle for a couple hours bc the T was broken. The blow dryer and muscle helped. Thank you!

[@simplehomediy618]

That’s awesome!

[@jimalsup]

I had no trouble turning the flange, but for some reason it doesn't back out of the drain as it turns. I've heated it and tried prying it up as I can get a screwdriver under the flange edge, but no luck. Are there other drain designs that do not use threads? Drain is in my mother in laws manufactured home dating back to the 2001 timeframe. It does show a little rust on the top of the flange.

[@theDeitz]

I used 12' channel locks, I put each handle in a hole, then I put my flat bar aka pry bar between the handles, with a little elbow grease the drain came out in no time. The drain was installed 18 years ago.

[@dlwhite6537]

Where do you get 12 foot channel locks? I want some.

[@charlestapp5897]

I keep turning with the wrench and pliers but all it does is turn. It does not screw out. What is the problem? Please advise.

[@florencehauser-uj4vs]

Thank you so much! Older and I have such a hard time turning things and that helped me a bunch.

[@simplehomediy618]

Glad that it worked for you!

[@stevenorstephen]

are all tubs like this with that screw on

[@lorrie-annmcdonald8653]

This was so helpful! Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video.

[@simplehomediy618]

Glad that it helped!

[@Kevin-fh8rb]

Great video. Where do you purchase a new flange...I checked both Home Depot and Lowes and they don't carry them

[@simplehomediy618]

I found mine at a local plumbing supply store. Good luck!

[@haveagreatday3664]

What if the X part is corroded and fell apart?

[@fishon8406]

The reason you use heat, is to make the metal ring (the threads) expand. The outer ring, being slightly bigger diameter will expand more than the stuck inside ring. Yes, give it about a minute of heat. Try it. If it's still stuck, give it another minute of heat. Be careful not to burn the tub. Not sure what porcelain will do under heat. You can also get a more secure grip on the inner cross bar down inside by buying a $5 tool at the hardware store made for this job. It's $5 and won't rip out the cross bar, especially if you only have one inside, not two as this example shows.

[@simplehomediy618]

If you are able to source the tool then it’s a good way to go about it. It provides more surface area for leverage.

[@jerryhayes4722]

Man! That made it so easy, after struggling with it. Much love. Thanks 🙏 great knowledge ☺️

[@simplehomediy618]

Glad it worked for you! Pass the knowledge on!

[@jlp7184]

Man. 3 mins with the blow dryer did the trick. Took that $24 extractor back to Lowes

[@EllaWatson]

Thanks for the note about the heat gun! I was having a hell of a time and once I heated it up, it moved like butter. Thanks!

[@simplehomediy618]

The community always provides lol. Glad to hear that it worked for you.

[@benmendez]

Help mine keeps spinning and spinning and it won't come out I got it to the point where i can spin it with my hand but keeps spinning and won't come out

[@ILikeExoticStuff]

Did you break the connecting drain?

[@bogdanbaraian2655]

​@@ILikeExoticStuffWhat does this mean? If the bottom piece is rotating, does it mean it's broken?

[@maepouget407]

Thank-you! Tried everything then heated drains of two tubs (a Dyson hairdryer , fit perfectly in the drain) and was able to replace both with no problem!!!

[@ttnnaples8060]

At least he mentioned hairdryer, and a few pluses for using that over heat gun. You don't have the worry of BUYING a heat gun. Or getting too heavy handed and damaging with one. I will add...lay heavy old towels to pad your tub and tub ledge from tool bang chips. Otherwise... you'll have created a whole new job for yourself 😉

[@jiritichy7967]

You succeeded with pliers, but drain removal wrench might be needed.

[@simplehomediy618]

For some. But that’s more of a one time specialty tool. These are tools that people may already have in their home. Thanks for watching.

[@reflection_8_]

Is it true that some of these can't not be replace ? And instead would have to replace the whole bathtub?

[@MrsMajorHoff]

Thanks so much! Hair dryer worked in a pinch!

[@ibulleti7948]

The trick with the 2 pliers was good, mine still broke though. Twice. Now it's just a smooth hole that s been rusting together for 20 years. what do I do??

[@henrygonzalez1201]

What to do you call the asshole who made this shit vid and ask him to pay you for a set of new tools.

[@steviepii]

The spokes on the inside of mine were very thin and all sheared off. and it's recessed a bit so I can't get anything onto the lip. 😅 I'm gonna cut the lip with a dremel and pry it up on opposite sides.

[@simplehomediy618]

Be careful not to ruin the threads!

[@MrHarley60]

you was the best i have saw no one els used heat

[@jbennettco]

Aren’t you supposed to install a new gasket underneath the tub between tub and the flange

[@alleggs5098]

Yes, search youtube: 'al leggs' 4 video on drain spud R&R

[@1noelxs]

Which way do you turn?

[@TheRealKirkHammett]

Now tell then how to do it when the tabs inside the drain are rusted off and there is nothing for the needle nose to grab onto.

[@dzfooot]

Fantanstic... I user hair dryer and works fine...Thanks a lot...

[@michaelneumeister586]

Mine wont budge, after using a small torch on it held it for 2 1/2 minutes and put needle noise pliers in place and used adjustable wrench on needle nose pliers to turn the needle nose just got all bent up and no luck with the drain turning at all

[@jiritichy7967]

See my comment above - you need at least a drain removal wrench.

[@simplehomediy618]

I wonder if this person found a solution as their comment was two years ago

[@midaswell_vr]

Worked like a charm, thanks!

[@jerr681]

Hahaha. You gotta be kidding me. My wife and I have been flabbergasted for the two years we've owned our townhouse about what kind of foolish tub designer put a permanent stopper in a tub, haha. We'd been dumping Thrift down the drain and I was about to do it again just now but figured, with KZbin being the end-all for DIY, why not check... Sheesh. Still a super annoying tub drain design but at least now I can get the cap off and work a stronger snake down there. Thanks!

[@cherwi3264]

WHAT IF IT IS STUCK SHUT???? I JUST WANT TO DRAIN THE WATER.

[@LadyKimberly1]

My drain just turns and turns like it is stripped or something.

[@jenniferchristenson4200]

What did you end up doing to get it out? I'm having the same problem.

[@slyderacton7884]

Yep heatgun easy peasy 44yr old drain came out

[@cangumaster123]

Gracias, me ayudo mucho tu video, estaba que no podía quitarla

[@Random-em4um]

Great video dude.

[@simplehomediy618]

Much appreciated!

[@FlatDan]

Thank you so much! This worked perfectly for me. So glad I invested in a heat gun.

[@Swahiliangift70x7]

Awesome tip. Thank you for sharing this with us.

[@simplehomediy618]

My pleasure. Pass the tip on to others!

[@Adoremybraidsbyfanika]

This worked for me, thank you

[@simplehomediy618]

Happy yo hear. Thanks for watching.

[@paulstack3015]

I used a heat gun, wd-40 and my removal tool and the damn thing still broke in pieces. I had to use my multi tool to get it out. So I hope the next one will be this easy.

[@wonnie46403]

That's what is happening to mine. It's wanting to break in pieces so how did u get it out after yours broke?

[@criticalcandor]

Just fyi he said place putty along threads, actually dont do that? In my experience thats exactly one reason why these get stuck. Place plumbers putty along the flat lip above threads. Not on threads directly. Its not to be used like plumbers tape as is dries and hardens making the threads grip eachother much more over the years. Just sayibg.

[@simplehomediy618]

I don’t believe I said to put it in. There was just some in mine. Thanks for watching.

[@GregKrehbiel]

This was exactly what I needed. Thanks.

[@rachaelalethea]

Heat gun for the win! Omg. Thank you!

[@simplehomediy618]

Absolutely! Mine was not going anywhere. Thanks for watching.

[@eddiecook1078]

My heat gun and I thank you, kind sir!

[@simplehomediy618]

That’s awesome! Sometimes it’s the small things 😀

[@carrasco2011sc]

The inside of mine is all broken so there is nothing to hold on to to turn it. :(

[@wonnie46403]

There's no way they thing was stuck. I have one that is wanting to b break the pliers or the cross piece inside the drain. But I didn't try the heating it up. And idt mines pvci think mine is is brass or metal. It's the original drain from prob when the house was made in the 60s.

[@barbarazylema3584]

Will this also work on a tub drain that is almost 70 years old? My house was built in 1952 and it is the original drain to the tub. It is in there good. I just answered my own question and for anyone else who may also have a tub as old as mine. Yes it does. I used a hair dryer and heated the drain for about 3-4 mins tried the needle nose and my channel locks at first it didn't work. I then heated the drain again with my hairdryer for another 3-4 mins and the drain was extremely hot. This time I used a pair of pliers and my channel locks. To my surprise it started turning. My drain only has 1 bar and it is located up near the tub not down further in the drain so the tub drain removal tool didn't work because I could not get down far enough in the drain to get it to work. The bar going across the drain is really thick so I wasn't concerned about it breaking off like so many newer drains have done. Just needed the right tool to get it to turn and the hair dryer.

[@IMCcanTWEESTED]

Similar thing I'm dealing with. Original tub and drain from 1959. No crossbar, but there are two metal tabs/nubs 180 degrees across from each other at the bottom of the drain flange that are seemingly there to aid in installation and removal. Unfortunately the tool is no longer available and the plumber who installed probably over-tightened the flange and the putty has petrified in 60 years. My hair dryer isn't hot enough. I figured running scalding hot water down the drain for 30 minutes would make the old putty malleable but no fricking luck. Also I suspect these tabs are preventing my fluted tub extractor from seating deep enough to get a good bite on the drain flange interior. My last idea short of demo-ing my old tub, is to take a 1.125" socket and grinding slots into the socket wall to fit over those tabs to back it out. Also bought a 1/2 drive impact air wrench. If that fails I'll have to do a tub demo and plumbing re-fit for a new tub. I hear that's a beeotch of a DIY project. Hoping for the best , Barb.

[@Perick76]

@@IMCcanTWEESTED did you end up getting it out?

[@goldfishi5776]

That’s not even stuck. The splines on mine sheared so maybe I should have searched ‘extra stuck’

[@wonnie46403]

Or extra fked lol like me. Mine is turning into a nightmare. I'm about to saw zall the whole system and replace the tub to. But I hope it doesn't get too that cause I can't afford a tub right now

[@CoolTrainerJulio]

This worked! Thanks so much!

[@DireNeeds]

Awesome Pliers!

[@JaleelJohanson62]

It always works like this in the movies... lol I'm still waiting for a real life experience of mine to match. lol

[@johnrambo6265]

Tub Drain Wrench ???

[@simplehomediy618]

Not sure that many people will the specialized tool for one use. Granted some may not have the ones in the video. Whatever gets the job done for you!

[@johnrambo6265]

@@simplehomediy618 for sure ..... i made mine out of old glav pipe took 5 mins

[@kaguyasenpai9601]

i moved in my grandpa room for he move out and i clean the bathroom and the bathtub is stick and it soo dirty i can’t clean it

[@stephenjones6030]

Dang, my flange doesn't have anything to grab on to...thanks for the video though!

[@jackk7310]

I have the same problem.

[@marcelinoramos4580]

Thank you

[@bibektamang2505]

Thank you very much you saved me

[@simplehomediy618]

Happy to hear that it helped.

[@Rangerdude67]

Here's a tip..if you don't have a Heat Gun or your Hair Drier isn't hot enough...slowly pour boiling water all around on the drain flange ! This will heat the drain up nicely and assist in it's easy removal!

[@ericwilliams3268]

I just took mine out with a pair of pliers and a screw driver

[@davidtryon5008]

This worked well for me. thanks.

[@MarkSmith-ni3uq]

Great help , thank you

[@stevemartin6886]

Mine is so corroded I no longer have the "cross" pieces to use! This ought to be interesting....

[@htxsupercrewon22s]

Theres a tool at home depot about $20 looks like a giant copper net with grooves. Place it in there and use a socket wrench to twist it. The teeth grab it and twist it out

[@TonyFixIt44]

@Jose Arreguin has it; tub extractor tool; though it doesn't fit older drains like mine from the 1950s

[@bevsucceeds]

Thanks for the tips. video is cut off on the top of my You Tube screen. Maybe get a camera person next time.

[@bevsucceeds]

Update - sorry this was user error with my browser's slider. This worked great! I didn't even have to heat it. The two plier trick worked like a charm - no expensive drain removal tool needed.

[@joelbrooks8620]

Worked perfectly! Thank you!!

[@RyanThor]

Thanks that was perfect!

[@magicmanmodee]

Like a charm

[@88Petry]

Ur tools look like u never use them :P

[@ricardogalvan7064]

Yeah right no strength made,that drain was already loose

[@kevinkotchevar2339]

BS video 90% of the time x piece rots away So you use easy out or expander tool and if your lucky that works

[@wolf2351]

That washer goes on the buttom of the tub. You need plumbers putty on the new peice.

[@whollenbeck8]

I swear you people putting tutorials out like this are faking this. You already removed the drain flange and then put it back to show us how easy it is to remove using your technique. Haha, it is NOT that easy!

[@simplehomediy618]

You can believe what you wish. At the end of the day the idea is to show HOW to do it. Your experience may vary with your specific circumstance but knowledge is power. It worked for me and it seems to have worked for others as well. Thanks for watching.

[@theodorewysinger9815]

Why do all of this ? Buy a DRAIN WRENCH REMOVER.

[@simplehomediy618]

You can certainly buy a specialty tool if you like!

[@shaoxianzhang1911]

Rong tool

[@PeteMargias-lf9nq]

Fake fake fake

[@simplehomediy618]

Unsure why you feel this is fake but have a great day.