Step By Step Process & Items Required For Installing A Bathtub Drain
Whether the users want to fix up their defective drain or they are upgrading their hardware, installing the fresh & new drain can be a very easy job. Once the users detach the pre-existing stopper then they need to detach the pre-existing drain rim or the house that affixes the drain and the tub with the pipe beneath. Then they need to cover up the beneath side of the fresh new flange by using the plumber putty and then twist this within the opening of the drain. They need to start installing the new drain by following the right techniques, gathering the below-mentioned materials & going through the steps one by one:
Items Required
- Screwdriver, Drain Key, Putty Knife
- Plumber’s Putty, Stopper
- New Drain Flange
Step I: Detaching The Pre-existing Stopper
- Turn The Lock Stopper: Start by turning the base lock stopper in the counterclockwise direction so as to detach it from the drain. The base lock stopper is the basic drain mechanism type. The users need to turn the stopper or move upon and down to bind and unbind the drain. They need to lift it up as they twist it down in the counterclockwise direction till it gets lifted out from the rim of the drain. They need to be assured that the stopper is unbound as it won't be possible for them to unfasten it if in case it is closed. The drain rim is the part that affixed the stopper and the tub to the pipe.
- Unfasten The Screws: Then the users need to unfasten the screw at the central area if in case they have the lift and the turned drain. Most of the turn drains and the base locked drains are having the screw at their central area of the stopper that holds up it in its place. If the users find out that no screw is visible then they need to find out if they can twist off their cap that is placed at the top of the stopper. Then they need to use the screwdriver to rotate down the screw in the counter-clockwise direction and then pull up the stopper from the rim of the drain.
- Detach The Drain Plate And Base Linkage: Then detach the plate and the linkage if in case the users are having the lever-styled drain. Then they need to start detaching the screws that fasten up the faceplate. Then detach the plate and then lift the rod and the plunger from the hole. Then the users need to detach the screws that fasten the drain plate and then pull it out from the rim of the drain. The users may also require lifting the base linkage when they are detaching the plate of the drain.
Step II: Replace The Drain Rim
- Unfasten The Rim: Start by unfastening the unprotected drain rim by using the pliers or the drain key. Once the users detach the stopper then they will notice the unprotected drain rim. One of the simplest ways to detach is by inserting the drain key head within the rim and then twist it in the counterclockwise direction. The users can easily find out their drain keys at their nearby hardware store or at an online store. If in case the users are not having the drain key then they need to use the pliers to detach it accordingly.
- Scrape Off The Putty: Then the users need to scrape off the pre-existing plumber putty by using the putty knife or the scrub pad. Once the users have lifted the rim from the opening of the drain and then scrape off the putty that is left behind. The users need to be assured that they won't damage the enamel tub and they also need to forbid using the harsh cleaning items. They need to scrape off the large putty limbs by hand and then rinse down the small-sized bits. If desired the users can also use the alcohol to wipe down the hard residue.
- Spread The Putty Bead: Then spread the putty bead all around the new flags rim and then roll out the long strand of the putty to about the pencil size. Then place it beneath the rim of the new drain flange and then press it down to cover up the rim in the even strokes. The users can easily buy the plumber putty at their nearby hardware store or at the plumbing stores. The plumbers putty will act as to watertight seal the rim.
- Fit Up The New Rim: If in case the new drain comes up with the rubber gasket then they need to place it over the opening of the drain. Then fit up the new rim within the opening and then use the pliers or the drain key to turn it in the counterclockwise direction till it is fastened tightly. If necessary the users can also scrape off the unneeded putty by using the putty knife.
Step III: Installing The New Bathtub Drain
- Twist The New Stopper: Start by twisting or screwing the new stopper they find it necessary. If in case the new stopper is not affixed with the rim then they need to affix by following the product instructions. If in case it is the base lock or the lift and the turn then they need to either turn it in the clockwise direction by hand or then fasten it by using the screw.
- Thread The Connection: Then the users need to thread the connection within the hole if in case they are having the lever drain. If in case the users are installing the lever drain style then they need to insert the linkage and the plunger within the hole of the tub below the faucet. Then fasten the faceplate within the opening and then fasten the new plate within the rim.
- Examine The Seal: The users then need to add the water so as to examine the seal. Once the users installed the drain then they need to bind the stopper and then fill up the tub with the water. Allow the water to sit within the tub for almost one hour and then examine the tub and if they find out the same level of the water then they need to understand that they have successfully installed the new bathtub drain.