A drain stopper operates normally until information technology doesn't. That's when yous find the water doesn't drain as fast every bit before. While it could exist a clog , information technology also could exist your clogged sink stopper .

This commodity covers how to remove a drain stopper and clean and reinstall it. Learn how to skip the plumber and tackle this DIY projection head-on.

How to Remove Drain Stoppers

how to remove drain stopper: plumber holding a wrench

There are several types of drain stoppers , and it's of import to know which blazon you have in your bathroom before you begin. Every type has dissimilar removal and cleaning instructions. If you aren't sure which drain stopper type you have, this article can help. P.S.: If y'all don't take a apartment-caput screwdriver , an electric drill will complete the chore too.

Lift and Turn

Also called a twist-and- pull stopper , this drain stopper is challenging considering there are multiple ways to remove it. Some unscrew , and some twist off. Sadly, you won't know what kind you accept until yous try all the options below. Also, it'south important to recall what method you lot used to take out the drain stopper so y'all can easily re-insert it.

Notation: Before you brainstorm, make sure the stopper is open and lifted.

  • For lift and turns with a removable knob: Showtime, unscrew the knob from the stopper base. Next, get a screwdriver and unscrew the screw within the knob just enough to greatly loosen the stopper. Then, pull out the stopper.
  • For lift and turns with a screw-in base: Employ a flashlight to look for a screw head underneath the stopper. This connects to the long, thin base. Next, insert the screwdriver horizontally and turn the spiral counterclockwise until yous tin separate the stopper from the long, thin base. And so, remove the stopper from the drain.
  • For lift and turns with a twist style base: Use a wrench to rotate the base of operations counterclockwise until the stopper loosens from the drain strainer . And then, detach the stopper from the drain.

Button and Pull

Although similar to the lift and turn, the push button and pull drain stopper contains a less complicated removal method. It's less confusing than the lift and turn, although its removal will remind you of the lift and turn removable knob method.

  1. With the stopper in the open position , unscrew the knob from the stopper base.
  2. Push the stopper airtight to reveal the center mail service.
  3. Use pliers or a flat-head screwdriver in the center to loosen the slotted screw within the eye post in a counterclockwise direction.
  4. Lift the stopper from the drain.

Toe Touch

The toe touch drain stopper is but every bit easy to remove as it is to employ. Before uninstalling the stopper, make sure it's in the open position .

  1. Twist the cap counterclockwise to remove it. The cap is a silver height that says "push." A slotted screw is underneath it at the center.
  2. Use a flat-head screwdriver to loosen the stopper by removing the screw.
  3. Twist the stopper counterclockwise by hand.
  4. Pull out the stopper.

Pop-up

The pop-up drain stopper has different removal methods. Like the lift and plow, yous must try them all to run into which type will work for your stopper.

Note: Make sure the pop-upward stopper is in the open up/elevator position earlier trying any technique.

  • Technique #one: Grasp the drain stopper by squeezing each side. Pull the drain stopper up until it comes out. If it's non coming out, wiggle information technology back and forth as you pull.
  • Technique #2: Twist counterclockwise to unscrew the cap. Next, employ a screwdriver to unscrew the base underneath. Then, lift the whole matter upward to pull out the stopper.
  • Technique #3: This works for a rocker arm pop-up stopper . With this stopper, you pull the lever up to shut the drain and push down to open. To remove the stopper, you'll demand to go under the sink and unscrew the pivot rod arm connected to the sink drain pipe . You may need pliers or a wrench to help twist the arm off. Pull out the arm, including the circular plug attached to information technology. Then, return to the sink and pull the stopper out.

Trip Lever

Likewise called a flip lever or plunger manner lever, the trip lever bathtub drain stopper has its own complications. To remove it, you'll need to separate the lever above the bathtub from the opening underneath. This process is similar to lever pop-upwards stoppers in bathroom sinks .

  1. Focus on the round lever with 2 holes on the side and a switch in the center. The two holes take screws in them. Unscrew one using a flat-head screwdriver .
  2. Then, unscrew the other spiral as y'all hold on to the lever cover and possible loose parts.
  3. Separate the top from the opening underneath. Hold everything as you gently wiggle and pull up on the lever, arm linkage , and cylinder base.

StopShroom and StopShroom Plug

These plug stoppers are the easiest drain stoppers on the list to remove. Just pull the StopShroom Plug out of the drain using its thick, black, silicone knob.

The StopShroom is fifty-fifty easier. Since it doesn't sit within the drain, just catch the handle sticking out of the rounded bottom and pull.

How to Clean the Drain Stopper

how to remove drain stopper: clogged sink

At present that you know how to remove bleed stoppers in the sink and bathtub, it's time to learn how to clean a dirty stopper. Fortunately, the same cleaning processes work for nigh drain stoppers .

Keep all screws and minor, loose items in a safe identify. You tin lean on home remedies to clean the stopper. Utilise at to the lowest degree one of these methods:

  • Remove the debris by hand.
  • Rinse the debris with faucet water.
  • Scrub the drain stopper with a toothbrush and blistering soda or dish lather liquid, and then rinse the droppings with water.
  • Soak the drain stopper for 30 minutes in a bowl filled with either a cup of white vinegar, cleaning vinegar, dish liquid, or a cup each of baking soda and vinegar. Then, scrub the contents with a toothbrush. Rinse the debris off with water.

Later, dry the stopper with a washcloth or paper towel. While the bleed pipage is open, employ a fresh loving cup of each vinegar and baking soda to make clean the clogged pipes . (If you're out of vinegar, you tin use a loving cup of salt.) If you lot see debris, utilize pliers to pull the gunk out. You can also use a coat hanger, plunger , or drain serpent.

How to Reattach the Drain Stopper

different kinds of tools on the sink

Finally, you need to learn to reinstall drain stoppers. Generally, to reinstall the drain stopper, you'll exercise the installation steps backwards . If you don't take a flat-head screwdriver , you can also employ an electric drill. Afterwards reattaching, turn on the water to see if it's operating usually.

Lift and Turn

It's important to remember what method you lot used to take out the drain stopper because you now need that method to re-insert it. Grab knobs and screws, a screwdriver or drill, a wrench, and a flashlight. All lift and turn versions brainstorm by inserting the stopper dorsum into the piping drain.

  • Removable knob: Grab whatsoever loose screws, and insert them inside the knob center. If the screw is inside the knob middle, skip this step. Next, grab the screwdriver and twist it clockwise to tighten the stopper. And then, tighten the knob past turning it clockwise.
  • Spiral-in base of operations: Smooth the flashlight at the bleed. Apply a screwdriver to tighten the stopper's screw to the long, thin base of operations.
  • Twist fashion: Take hold of the wrench, and rotate the base of operations clockwise to tighten the stopper.

Push button and Pull

Before re-inserting the device, make certain the knob, screw, and screwdriver are close by.

  1. Insert the stopper back inside the drain. Turn information technology clockwise to tighten the stopper base.
  2. Insert the spiral in the center base. Skip this pace if the screw is already inside the base.
  3. Grab a screwdriver and twist the screw clockwise to tighten.
  4. Grasp the knob, insert information technology on tiptop of the eye base, and turn it clockwise until it tightens.

Pop-up

The reinstalling method depends on the type of popular-up you accept. If the stopper pulled straight out, just insert information technology dorsum inside. If y'all twisted it counterclockwise before pulling it out, just twist the stopper clockwise to tighten it.

Here's the process to reinstall a pop-up with a lever :

  1. Insert the drain stopper dorsum into the sink.
  2. Open the drawer underneath the sink, and spiral the pivot rod arm connected to the sink drain . Make sure you lot keep every component the style yous found it (ex., the round plug) or it might take trouble operating.
  3. Utilize pliers or a screwdriver to tighten the spiral to the sink drain .

Toe Bear upon

Re-installing a toe touch is but as simple (or complicated, depending on how you lot view this) as taking it out. Always have a screwdriver fix before starting the procedure.

  1. Insert the toe touch stopper into the drain. Screw the stopper clockwise.
  2. Catch a screwdriver, and insert it inside the middle opening. The spiral should already be inside. If information technology isn't, screw it into the pigsty
  3. Twist the spiral clockwise to keep information technology in place.
  4. Place the cap on elevation and twist it clockwise.

Trip Lever

Re-inserting the tub drain stopper is easier than taking it out. Before starting this process, make sure the screws and screwdriver are close by.

  1. Lower the cylinder into the overflow hole.
  2. Lower the arm linkage .
  3. Fit the trip lever hat on tiptop of the overflow pigsty.
  4. Align the lever with the screwdriver holes.
  5. Insert both screws in the holes.
  6. Tighten the screws with a screwdriver .

StopShroom and StopShroom Plug

Shroom's drain stoppers are the easiest to re-install after cleaning.

The StopShroom fits on top of bleed openings . The suction loving cup bottom does the residuum. With the StopShroom Plug , use the knob to button the plug inside the bleed. The grooves on the plug make it easy for the drain stopper to glide in and out.

The Easy Manner to Remove Drain Stoppers

StopShroom Tub & Sink

A muddy drain stopper can't do its job because the gunk , debris, and soap scum build-up impede immigration h2o. When a drain stopper is make clean, it can effectively go along water from entering the drain. Information technology also means you tin drain the sink and bath h2o quickly so you can tend to important tasks around the house.

If DIY removal, cleaning, and re-inserting different drain stoppers is overwhelming, get with the unproblematic solution. The StopShroom and StopShroom Plug sink stoppers simplify drain employ because they're and then easy to remove, clean, and reinsert.

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