tub drain replacement – just the drain ‘basket’ not the pipes?
I am trying to replace the drain in my tub (not the pipes, just the silver drain part that shows while you are in the tub). I am having a hard time removing it. Are they all threaded or just the new ones? The tub is from 1954, standard cast iron porcelian coted tub. Tell me what you know… not what you think.
They get really stuck in there, which is why no one has tried to change it until now.
Two methods, one – get two large screw drivers (big one) and slide them down into the slots of the drain. Turn the screwdrivers, it will take a lot of effort, if it moves at all.
Use a hacksaw blade and cut through the top collar by sliding the blade down into the drain and back up. This will take time. You may have to cut two slots. When cut has been made, use a large screwdriver (flat) and a hammer. Start gently to tap on the cut and remove the small piece. Then place the screwdriver down low and use the hammer to bang the screwdriver into the collar in the direction you would to un-screw something. You are basically beating the collar loose.
I said it would not be easy. Either way you must be carfeul not to damage the surface of the tub. I would just learn to live with the current collar. It is made of brass with a chrome plating. You can try to just sand the chrome off and polish the brass for a different look.
Yoda out
heres what u need for the job–617953.aspx
Just dealt with this problem in my home a couple of weeks ago. My house is 44 years old and the tub came with it. I recently remodeled my bath and replaced the tub.
When you try a wrench or screwdrivers in the drain to try to turn the cross in there usually breaks and the you have nothing to latch onto. So I drilled 2 small holes, very carefully on opposite sides of the piece you are trying to remove. Drill gently and very close to the inside, careful not to drill into the tub. Once these holes are drilled spread your needle-nose pliers and insert a point in each hole. You can then use a large screwdriver as leverage between the handles and with lots of hard pulling the drain insert will begin to move. Once it budges just a bit you may be able to squirt WD-40 around it to ease it on out. After that, replacement is a breeze, just use lots of plumber’s putty.