Bathtub Won't Drain? Remove the Stopper in 3 Easy Steps

Dealing with a clogged bathtub drain is one of the most annoying household problems. You're ready to enjoy a relaxing bath at the end of a long day, only to find the water pooling around your feet because the tub won't drain. The culprit? A stuck bathtub stopper.

While a bathtub that won't drain is frustrating, removing the stopper is easier than you might think. In most cases, you can get the stopper unstuck and remove it yourself in just a few minutes, without having to call a plumber or use harsh chemicals. By following these 3 simple steps, you can get your bathtub draining freely again.

Step 1 - Identify Your Type of Bathtub Stopper

Before attempting to remove a bathtub stopper, it's important to identify what type of stopper you have. There are 4 common types of stoppers:

• Toe-touch stoppers
• Push-pull stoppers
• Lift-and-turn stoppers
• Pop-up stoppers

Each stopper type has a different removal method, so properly identifying yours will make the process smoother.

Common Bathtub Stopper Types

Toe-touch stoppers: This type of stopper is operated by tapping it with your toe. It seals the drain when closed and opens it when pushed to a horizontal position.

Push-pull stoppers: As the name suggests, this stopper seals the drain when pushed down and opens it when pulled up. Many push-pull stoppers have a removable knob on top.

Lift-and-turn stoppers: Also called twist-and-pull stoppers, these operate by lifting the stopper up and giving it a quarter turn. They often have a flange around the base.

Pop-up stoppers: This type has a spring-loaded plunger connected to a rod. The plunger seals the drain when closed and the rod pulls it open.

How to Determine Your Stopper Type

Look at the location, visual features, construction, and operation to identify your particular bathtub stopper type:

• Toe-touch stoppers are located near the front of the tub at foot level.
• Push-pull stoppers have a knob or handle on top to grasp and a cylinder base.
• Lift-and-turn mechanisms have a flange and often an obvious slot for turning.
• Pop-up stoppers have an exposed connecting rod leading to a spring-loaded seal.

Turn or lift the stopper in different directions while observing its mechanism. Compare to diagrams of the main stopper types online if unsure. Properly identifying your bathtub's stopper style will make removal much simpler.

Step 2 - Remove Toe-Touch and Push-Pull Stoppers

Once you've identified a toe-touch or push-pull style stopper, follow these steps to remove it:

Toe-Touch Stopper Removal

To remove a toe-touch bathtub stopper:

1. Place the stopper in the open horizontal position.
2. Unscrew the circular cap located under the toe-touch lever counterclockwise to remove it.
3. Use a flat-head screwdriver to remove the small screw hidden underneath the cap.
4. Twist the stopper body itself counterclockwise by hand to loosen it from the drain.
5. Pull the entire stopper mechanism straight up and out of the drain pipe.

Be sure the stopper is in the open position before attempting to unscrew any parts to avoid breaking it. Removing the cap and screw allows the stopper to detach freely from the bathtub drain.

Push-Pull Stopper Removal

To detach a stubborn push-pull bathtub stopper:

1. Start with the stopper in the open position.
2. If your stopper has a removable knob or handle, unscrew this piece by turning it counterclockwise.
3. Push the stopper body down closed so the round center post is revealed.
4. Insert pliers or a flat-head screwdriver into the slotted screw inside the center post.
5. Turn the screw counterclockwise to loosen.
6. Once detached, lift the entire stopper apparatus straight up and out of the drain.

Removing any top knob first allows you to access the stopper's center screw. Loosen this to detach the main stopper body for removal.

Step 3 - Remove Lift-and-Turn and Pop-Up Stoppers

Lift-and-turn and pop-up bathtub stoppers use different techniques to dismantle them.

Lift-and-Turn Stopper Removal

To take out a lift-and-turn tub stopper:

1. Start with the stopper in the open lifted position.
2. If your stopper has a small knob on top, unscrew this first by turning counterclockwise.
3. Take a flat-head screwdriver and insert it into the slot in the stopper's metal housing.
4. Turn the screwdriver counterclockwise to detach the threaded stopper cap.
5. Lift the cap and attached stopper apparatus straight up to remove.

Removing any top knob allows the stopper cap to be loosened with a flat-head screwdriver. Lift up to detach the entire assembly from the drain.

Pop-Up Stopper Removal

A pop-up stopper can be removed by:

1. Finding the thin rod attached to the stopper seal.
2. Disconnecting the rod from the spring-loaded seal mechanism.
3. Unscrewing the stopper assembly from the drain pipe threads.
4. Lifting the stopper straight up and out of the drain pipe.

Detach the connecting rod first so the stopper assembly can be unthreaded from the drain. This will allow you to remove the entire stopper.

Removing Stubborn Stoppers

If a bathtub stopper is especially difficult to remove, a few additional techniques can help detach a stubborn stopper:

• Penetrating oils - Spray penetrating oils around the stopper edges to help loosen it.
• Plumber's wrench - Use this tool for better grip and leverage on stuck stoppers.
• Strap wrench - Loop this wrench around the stopper to twist off stubborn stoppers.
• Removing corroded flange nuts - Use a nut driver or pliers to remove corroded flange nuts.

Avoid hitting plastic stoppers with excessive force as this can crack and damage them. Have patience and use gentle but persistent leverage. In extreme cases, stoppers may need replacement if they cannot be freed.

Unclogging Drains After Stopper Removal

Once you've successfully extracted the stopper, a few additional steps can help optimize drainage:

• Use a zip-it style hair snaking tool to remove built-up hair from the newly exposed drain pipe.
• Plunge the drain with a plunger to purge any dislodged gunk.
• Pour a foaming mixture of baking soda and vinegar down the drain to react with debris.
• Use an enzyme-based chemical drain cleaner to break down organic buildup.

Getting a drain snake into the newly opened pipe helps pull out debris. Always start with natural options like plungers or baking soda before trying harsh chemical cleaners.

As you can see, removing most common bathtub stoppers takes just 3 straightforward steps:

1. Identify your stopper style
2. Follow specific removal instructions for your type
3. Finish by unclogging the drain

Doing a little detective work to determine your stopper style simplifies removing it. Focus on lifting, twisting, or disconnecting pieces instead of brute force. Be patient with stuck stoppers and use penetrating oils or specialty wrenches as needed. Finish by snaking out debris from newly exposed drain pipes.

In most cases, you can tackle removing a bathtub stopper yourself. But if a stopper absolutely will not budge, call for professional plumbing assistance. Otherwise, roll up your sleeves - you've got this! Just locate, loosen, and lift your way to a freely draining bathtub in no time.