Replacing a Tub Drain: Bathtub Drain Removal and Replacement

How to replace a tub drain. Replacement of a bathtub drain and overflow. Showing multiple methods on removing a tub drain, and the proper methods to reconnect the tub’s waste and overflow.

𝗔𝗺𝗮𝘇𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀
Universal Tub Drain
Tub Drain Wrench
Tub Drain Extractor
Plumber’s Putty

𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁
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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁

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[PROSDIY]

𝗔𝗺𝗮𝘇𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀
Universal Tub Drain
Tub Drain Wrench
Tub Drain Extractor
Plumber’s Putty

Disclosure: Pros DIY is an Amazon Associate. We earn a small commission from qualifying purchases through our affiliate links at no additional cost to you.

[godenn]

No bullshit, no unnecessary talking.
Super informative
Thanks Dude!

[plasmac]

Best tip in this video is the gasket being under the hole cutout and not on top. I'd bet lots of installers have done this wrong and as a homeowner repair I might have just replaced everything back the way it was thinking it was right. Great video.

[brunofamily]

Very informative, and to the point. Not a lot of unnecessary talking, yet detailed and informative. You obviously took the time to plan out the video before hand. I appreciate the time you took to to explain the process and the things to watch out for. Keep up the great work!

[Vaessen]

This is literally the best tutorial on replacing the bath tub drain and gaskets. You are stellar at this! Awesome camera shots, quality, and superb editing and narration.

Thank you so much for explaining where the gaskets go!!! I need to replace my tub drain and had no idea where this rubber gasket went. Thanks boss :)

[MrCoreyCoreyCorey]

Hi all, this came to my feed. Thanks for sharing your tips! I want to say to some folks with an older home (40-50 years+) there were some different combos of thread. Can't source them anymore. Before you do the disassembly, thinking you can just pop out the insert from the tub side, and find a modern replacement of either thread type, nope! So then, you need to replace a lot more. Also note, that during initial install, tubs are fitted with the drains and then put in place. I mention this, because in trying to retrofit a replacement, there may not be room to easily remove the subfloor facing portion. I found this out when moving to our new-to-us 50 year old place. Drain had it's cross protection broken out on the tub side, and I have little naughty kids, so I wanted a new secure one. I scored it and got it out, and not nobody had a drop in replacement. Not even the trade stores that I couldn't buy from anyway. I needed to cut away some framing that had been built around the plumbing when the tub was initially dropped in just to access removing the drain from the bottom side. This put my main bath out of commission for a week while I went though all this investigation. Just sharing to prevent headaches and scope creep!

[marsoelflaco]

The right tools and a little know how, especially to tackle those "unforeseen contingencies/snafus", makes all the difference. This is a well produced and presented video. ✌🏽👍🏽

[waterlogged_]

Having done a few of these myself over the years, I wish I had found this video before my first one. I know this video is a couple years old, but this is absolutely the best DIY video I have ever seen. Completely thorough, no questions left unanswered. Clear descriptions and illustrations of each part and how it should be installed - BRAVO!

[byrondelgado]

Great video, thank you for going over the basics and not skipping over the placement of the drain washers.

[mburns]

I'm a diy lady. I painted my green tub white. Had to remove the tube drain. I don't remember a washer. Freaked me out how the pipe moved around. Wasn't sure where the washer went and whether to use putty. I'll watch the video again then insert new tub drain. Was stressing but im feeling better. I've looked at several videos and this was the only that cleared up my confusion. So relieved.

[billbewitz]

Well done. You showed me how to replace both gaskets. One is behind the wall in the overflow drain, and the other is under the tub. I've seen a couple vids and they don't show this. Job well done.

[brianreynolds]

Watched like ten tub drain replacement videos and this one was miles better than any of them. Well done. Detailed explanations and "why" not just "how" provided.

[truthancisco]

By far the best video out there on drain removal. I loved the plumbing mock-up, so helpful!!!

[TheMiketwo]

This was great, i really like how you talk and present the steps at a good pacing. Many videos out there skip steps or just go thru them to quick forgetting the reason people watch these is because they don’t know much or want to learn more.

[hughwynn]

I must say this is the best video on YouTube showing how to replace a bathtub drain and overflow

[nicholem]

Thank you for a high quality, thorough walk through for the tub drain replacement! I’m currently on a job site with a rusted out tub drain that I need to replace and although I’m relatively handy, I haven’t done this before. I’m here to paint and clean lol, not moonlight as a plumber 😆
However, I’m capable of doing the replacement so I figured I’d just take care of it for my client, but I prefer to take on new jobs with as much information about what to expect as possible. My philosophy is anyone can start DIYing a job like this, but what separates the “can do’s” from the “can not do’s” is the ability to anticipate different potential issues/problems and then determine if you have the skill set to fix whatever THAT might be. Your vid addressed this and gave me the confidence to dive in.
This was definitely an unexpected repair so I’m currently carrying minimal tools, but luckily my “just in case/expect the unexpected” tool box that I keep in my truck had a small pair of channel locks that I JUST put in there, as well as a 12” pry bar. I easily got the drain out using your method, and yes- the last installer placed the gasket on the wrong side of the tub 🤦🏻‍♀️. Haven’t taken the overflow cover off yet but I can only presume I’ll find that gasket on the inside of the tub as well.
Your vid saved me from needing to make multiple trips to the closest major hardware store which is located nearly 40 minutes from my job site. Again, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for a thorough video that clearly explains the drain replacement process from start to finish, covers potential issues, and gives some tips/tricks/advice on the job in general but also for handling the most common of problems. I hereby do solemnly swear not to put the gasket in wrong!! 😉😁
PS: now I’m super curious about the status of the gaskets in my tub drains at home lol!

[JLF]

Thank you! Seeing the big picture, being introduced to the tools, and actually seeing the changes done is so very helpful.

[miroslawsita]

Excellent video. The master plumber really knows, his own profession. He is very smart and intelligent. Thank You for a first rate lesson-Polish handyman from Florida

[ronevans]

EXCELLENT VIDEO: Love how you show realistic 'surprises', wrestling, jiggering and some of the headaches of previous installs. So many videos just so this pretty and easy install where everything was done right. So informative and useful how you show real challenges of this kind of repair.

[k_y_o_t_e_e_]

This is a project that I will be taking on in the next couple of days, so I've been checking a number of how-to videos on YouTube. This video here is hands down the best one. So clear and well explained. I am actually looking forward to tackling this project now. Thanks.