Removing a Shower Drain

[North Country Dad]

Our shower drain corroded -- you can see in the first pic where the 'basket' arms just snapped right off. It was one of those 'plunger' type of drain stoppers.

Problem is, I can't get it out now. I've loosened the seal with a putty knife, but there's nothing to grab onto. I've tried to use a wrench, putting pressure on the piece from the inside, but it won't budge. And from below, there's nothing to unscrew.

Any suggestions?

[Will'sdad]

Is there a trap down the line that you can take apart and "break" the line? Maybe the pipe and piece are threaded onto the base of the shower?

[jeffus]

(From the top) Use a chisel and a hammer. The chisel will bite into the metal and you can rotate it out that way. At least it'll get you started...

[cloweman]

yeah, that looks like a threaded connection to me.

[Tim E]

(From the top) Use a chisel and a hammer. The chisel will bite into the metal and you can rotate it out that way. At least it'll get you started...

I'd try and find the right tool for the job first before butchering things up with a chisel - its pretty tough to break the silicone/putty bond whacking away with a hammer. And pretty easy for the chisel to get away on you and take a chunck out of the tub....

There is a "drain key" for this - basically an expanding plug that tightens up and grips the inside of the drain so you can turn it out. Also, some automotive tailpipe expanders can do about the same thing. Should be able to rent one somewhere (lots of auto parts stores around here "lend" specialty tools)

Good luck!

Tim

[jeffus]

Well, ordinarily I'd recommend dynamite....;).

[Mark B.]

I'd try and find the right tool for the job first before butchering things up with a chisel - its pretty tough to break the silicone/putty bond whacking away with a hammer. And pretty easy for the chisel to get away on you and take a chunck out of the tub....

There is a "drain key" for this - basically an expanding plug that tightens up and grips the inside of the drain so you can turn it out. Also, some automotive tailpipe expanders can do about the same thing. Should be able to rent one somewhere (lots of auto parts stores around here "lend" specialty tools)

Good luck!

Tim

Tim's idea is the best way to go about the problem without making it worse. You might get lucky if you have a chisel set that has a blade the interior with of the damaged basket. You might be able to fit a chisel blade along side of the remaining basket nubs ad turn it that way. You might even be able to use a vise grip type tool on the chisel handle to help give you leverage to turn it. But I would guess that in the end you will need the basket wrench to install the new basket. Try to get it at Home Depot then return it to those schmucks when you are done. You will probably never need it again anyway.

[North Country Dad]

Got it. Through the use of an adjustable wrench and sheer brute force, the thing came off. Of course, it took several hours...