There’s nothing more frustrating than taking a shower and then standing in a few inches of water after a minute or two. If it’s just a shower pan, it won’t be long until water starts flowing onto the bathroom floor. To investigate any possible clogs, you’ll need to know how to take off the shower drain.
Hair and soap scum can make for a steadfast blockage in the shower drain openings. There are a few home remedies to try and remove the clog (baking soda and hot water for example). But if it’s stubborn, you may need to pop up the drain cover and investigate further.
How to Take Off Shower Drain
Follow these steps to take off the drain cover. But be warned: You may be surprised at just how much hair is stuck in the shower drain.
- Pull drain cover
- Loosen the screws that hold the drain in place
- Lift the drain out of the shower stall
- Clean off any gunk or hair that is blocking the drain pipe
- Put the drain back in place and tighten the screws
- Replace the shower drain cover
1. Remove the shower drain cover
Removing the shower drain cover is a pretty simple task. All you need is a screwdriver to loosen the screws that hold it in place, and then you can lift it out of the shower stall. You may be able to just lift the cover if there are no screws holding it in place. Make sure to clean off any gunk or hair that might be blocking the drain pipe before replacing the drain cover.
2. Loosen the screws that hold the drain in place
In order to remove the shower drain cover, you will need to loosen the screws that hold it in place. You can do this with a screwdriver. Be careful not to strip the screws by using too much force. Once the screws are loose, you should be able to lift the drain out of the shower stall.
3. Lift the drain out of the shower stall
In some cases, the drain itself may be screwed into place. Using two needle-nose pliers at opposite sides, turn the drain counterclockwise with equal force. If it refuses to budge, you may need to use some lubricant, let it sit for five to 10 minutes, and try twisting the drain out of place again.
Be careful with the drain itself–you don’t want to damage it. If you plan on replacing the drain, you can be a little more aggressive if need be. Just make sure no pieces end up in the shower plumbing itself. Any screws that are removed should be placed outside of the shower to make sure they don’t end up in the drain either.
4. Clean off any gunk or hair that is blocking the drain pipe
There might be some gunk or hair blocking the drain pipe, and you’ll need to clean it off before replacing the drain cover. Once the cover is off, you should be able to clean off the gunk or hair with a brush or your fingers. Make sure to be careful not to damage the drain pipe while cleaning it.
5. Put the drain back in place and tighten the screws
Once it’s clean, you can replace the drain cover and tighten the screws. Just reverse the process of removing the drain, screwing it back into place in a counter-clockwise motion. Make sure the threads line up–if you don’t, the drain will go crooked and will be very difficult to get back into place. This could also cause damaging leaks under the shower pan.
6. Replace the shower drain cover
Replacing the shower drain cover is a pretty simple task, but it’s important to make sure you clean off any gunk or hair that might be blocking the drain pipe before replacing the cover. Once clean, just put the drain cover back into place and, if applicable, screw the cover back down.
In cases where you have a shower/bathtub combo, removing the drain cover may be a little more difficult. With a variety of drain stoppers–toe touch, lift and turn, push pull, and more–you may need to consult a manufacturer’s operational manual. With trip levers, shaft cylinders, and other mechanisms that open and close the drain, you want to make sure you don’t do more harm than good.
Consult the Pros if You Don’t Know How to Take Off Shower Drain
If the drain won’t move, or you just aren’t mechanically inclined, get in touch with Meticulous Plumbing for help with your shower clog. We have decades of experience with clogs, blockages, stoppages, and anything that keeps your shower from flowing. Reach out and see how we can help.
