How to Remove a Drain without Screws: The Expert Guide

As a home improvement professional with over 10 years of experience, I‘m excited to provide you with this definitive guide to removing any drain in your home without screws. Taking the time to understand your drain type and using the proper tools and techniques will ensure safe and successful drain removal.

Let‘s walk through this process step-by-step so you can take on drain projects like a pro. I‘ll also share some pro tips and tricks I‘ve learned along the way to make the job easier.

Choosing the Right Tools

Having the right tools on hand will make a world of difference for this project. Here are the essentials I recommend:

• Basin wrench – The key tool for loosening nuts and compression fittings on sink drains. The long handle provides reach and leverage.
• Tub drain wrench – Similar to a basin wrench but with a head that pivots 90 degrees to fit overflow plate bolts.
• Drain extractor – Designed specifically for removing pop-up stoppers. Works like a plunger to pull up the stopper.
• Needle-nose pliers – Great for grabbing and turning lift-and-turn stoppers. The long narrow jaws provide a solid grip.
• Adjustable wrench – A must for turning and loosening nuts of any size. Get one with a jaw capacity of at least 1 1/4 inches.
• Screwdrivers – Both Phillips and flathead varieties in multiple sizes. Match the head to your stopper screws.
• Putty knife – Helpful for prying up stuck stoppers and cleaning plumber‘s putty remnants.
• Eye protection – Like safety glasses or goggles. Drain parts can deteriorate over time and debris may fly when prying. Better safe than sorry!
• Work gloves – Protect your hands from sharp edges around drains. Leather or textured rubber gloves provide the best grip.
• Rags/towels – Prevent scratches on sinks and tubs as you work. Also cleans up small drips.
• Penetrating oil – If dealing with a stuck drain, lubricate it well in advance with a penetrant like WD-40.

Pop-Up Drain Removal

Pop-up stopper assemblies are common in bathroom sinks. To remove:

1. Clear any debris from the sink drain opening. Give a test lift to ensure the stopper moves freely.
2. Check below the sink for a set screw on the side of the cylinder body holding the pop-up in place. Use a screwdriver to loosen it if present.
3. Verify the water supply valves are completely shut off. Place a towel in the sink basin.
4. Insert the hooked end of your drain extractor into the pop-up opening. Engage the bottom flange inside by turning the handle clockwise.
5. Pull straight up firmly to slide the entire pop-up unit out, including the spring-loaded cylinder piece. Wiggle gently if needed to loosen.
6. Use a putty knife to scrape off any old plumber‘s putty or caulk around the drain opening. Make sure to get a tight seal when re-installing.
7. Scrub the cylinder housing of the pop-up thoroughly with a toothbrush and baking soda paste to remove grime before replacing it.

Fig. 1 – Pop-up sink drain diagram

Lift and Turn Stopper Removal

Lift-and-turn mechanisms attach differently than pop-up drains. To remove:

1. Start by shutting off the cold and hot water supply valves below the sink. Clear any standing water in the basin.
2. Lift the stopper handle slightly upwards, just enough to disengage the pivot rod. Turn the handle counterclockwise to unscrew the rod from the threaded opening.
3. Once the stopper handle moves freely, carefully lift out the entire mechanism, including the horizontal pivot rod attached to the flat stopper plate.
4. Check for a small set screw on the side of the stopper body and loosen with a screwdriver if present. This allows the stopper plate to detach.
5. Scrub all parts of the disassembled lift-and-turn thoroughly. An old toothbrush and vinegar work great to remove gunk and germs.
6. Examine parts for wear and damage. Replace any corroded pieces for optimal performance. Reassemble stopper before installing.

Fig. 2 – Lift and turn drain diagram

Threaded Stopper Removal

Simple threaded stoppers screw directly into the drain opening from above. To remove:

1. Verify water supply is off and sink basin is fully emptied. Place a towel beneath the drain opening.
2. Check sides of stopper for a small set screw and loosen with a screwdriver if present. This prevents accidental unscrewing.
3. Firmly grip the stopper head with pliers or a wrench. Turn counterclockwise to unthread it completely.
4. Use a putty knife to pry up any remaining plumber‘s putty around the threads. Thoroughly clean the drain hole opening of debris.
5. Apply fresh plumber‘s putty beneath the flange of the new stopper. Screw it into place clockwise and tighten fully.
6. Run water into the sink and check for leaks. Tighten further if needed for a complete seal.

Fig. 3 – Threaded drain diagram

Tub Stopper Removal

Bathtub stoppers feature a similar screw-down design. To remove:

1. Start by prying off the drain cover/strainer. Remove any hair or debris clogging it.
2. Use a Phillips head screwdriver to remove the screws around the perimeter of the stopper plate, or in the center knob if present.
3. Grab the lift tab on the stopper with pliers and pull straight up to detach the plate from the drain shoe housing.
4. For stuck stoppers, try dripping penetrating oil around the edge and letting it soak in for 15-20 minutes before attempting to pry up.
5. Scrape off all old plumber‘s putty remnants with a putty knife. Clean the drain hole thoroughly before replacing the stopper.

Fig. 4 – Bathtub drain diagram

Shower Drain Removal

Shower drains use a removable strainer cover. To fully remove:

1. Pry off the drain cover and remove any hair or debris clogging it.
2. From below, use an adjustable wrench or pliers to detach the nuts holding the drain body in place (usually 2 or 3 nuts).
3. Maneuver the drain body out through the drain hole from below. Use a flashlight to see up into the drain opening.
4. Remove old plumber‘s putty and clean the drain hole thoroughly with a tile grout brush and bathroom cleaner.
5. Apply fresh plumber‘s putty around the new drain body flange. Insert it into the drain hole from above.
6. Reach up to hold the drain body steady while tightening the nuts from below with a wrench.
7. Replace the shower drain cover and seal with plumbers putty or silicone caulk.

Loosening Stubborn Drains

Despite your best efforts, old drains can sometimes put up a real fight. Here are my pro tips for freeing stuck drains:

• Try a penetrating lubricant like WD-40 or Liquid Wrench. Apply liberally and let soak 15-20 minutes before attempting to loosen. The oil seeps into stuck threads and worn gaskets.
• Heat is your friend for metal drains. Using a hair dryer or heating the hardware with hot water for 2-3 minutes can expand and loosen the metal.
• Avoid scratching porcelain sinks and tubs by placing a folded towel beneath the drain as you work. It also catches any dropped parts.
• Increase your leverage with a longer handled basin wrench or by using a cheater bar over your wrench handle. More torque is key for stubborn drain nuts.
• For screwed-down stoppers, take care not to strip the heads by using the correct sized screwdriver. Slotted drains may need some coaxing with a putty knife.

Patience and gentle force is crucial. Don‘t risk cracking your sink or tub by exerting too much pressure. Call a plumbing pro for help if you‘ve exhausted all options.

Re-Installing Sink Drains

Once you‘ve loosened the drain stopper, removing the tailpiece and drain basket follows similar steps for bathroom and kitchen sinks:

1. Position a bucket beneath the P-trap curved pipe section below the sink drain. Unthread the slip nuts holding the curved section in place with pliers or a wrench.
2. Detach the horizontal straight tailpiece leading from the sink drain basket. Remove the basket and clean away any gunk.
3. Scrub the sink drain hole clean using a brush and baking soda. Vinegar can help remove stains. Rinse thoroughly.
4. Apply plumber‘s putty around the new drain basket flange. Insert it into the drain hole from above and hold in place.
5. Slide on the slip nut and tighten it to secure the drain. Reassemble the tailpiece and P-trap curved section.
6. Run water into the sink and check beneath for any leaks. Tighten slip nuts further if needed.

Clearing Clogged Drains

Clogs in the drain line can prevent removing hardware. Try these pro tricks:

• Use a zip-it style plastic drain cleaner to hook and extract hair clogs. For sinks, target the trap area.
• Boil a pot of water and slowly pour down the drain. Repeat as needed. The heat will soften gunk.
• Mix 1/2 cup baking soda with 1/2 cup vinegar and let foam in drain for 5 minutes before flushing with hot water. This dissolves grease.
• Take apart the P-trap section and physically remove any debris trapped there.
• For deeper clogs, use a drain auger or "plumber‘s snake" to clear blockages beyond the P-trap area.
• To clear piping without chemicals, rent an electric drain cleaner that uses a high powered auger with the twist of a drill.

For serious backups, call a professional plumber to hydrojet your lines. But try these DIY methods first before taking more extreme measures.

Hiring a Pro Plumber

While many home improvement jobs are DIY friendly, knowing when to call a professional plumber is important. I recommend getting help for:

• Drain pipes that are badly corroded or otherwise damaged. Repair may require replacing sections.
• Stoppers with stripped screw threads or those damaged during amateur removal attempts.
• Severe clogs that cannot be cleared even with an electric drain auger.
• Signs of leakage around the drain seal or gasket below the sink/tub. Indicates deterioration.
• Tub drains with tricky access due to tile or with drain mechanisms encased in concrete.
• Any job requiring major drywall or cabinetry removal to access drains.
• Situations where you lack the specialized tools and knowledge to do the job safely and correctly.

For tough drains or complex plumbing issues, a professional has the expertise to remove and replace drains properly. They also can provide any needed repairs to resolve leaks or damage.

While a plumbing service may cost $75-$250, it saves you time, frustration, and potential water damage from mistakes. Know your limits and don‘t be afraid to pay for pro help when needed.

In Closing

I hope this guide has equipped you to take on all types of drain removal like a seasoned pro. The key is having the right tools, understanding your drain setup, and using proper techniques. Rusty hardware and clogs can slow you down, but with some patience and perseverance you can handle it. Maybe even make it look easy!

If the project has you stumped, never hesitate to call a professional plumber. Protecting your home from water damage is priority number one. But when armed with these tips, removing drains without screws is totally achievable. Just take your time and always exercise caution when working with bathroom and kitchen plumbing.

Let me know if you have any other home improvement questions! I‘m always happy to share my experience to help homeowners like yourself take on DIY projects and protect their valuable investments.