Gather Tools and Materials — Prepare the Work Area
Part of project
How to Remove and Replace a Bathtub Drain Flange · Step 1 of 7
In this video
Before starting, gather all necessary tools and materials. This includes a small bucket to catch water, a cardboard box for support, a towel for cleanup, a disposal wrench (often comes with the disposal), a large screwdriver, channel lock pliers, and a voltage detector for safety.
Goal: Prepare for removal
Used in this video
- Small Bucket (Tool Type: Bucket) — Catching residual water from drain pipes.
- Towel (Tool Type: Cleaning Supplies) — Cleaning up any water spills.
- Disposal Wrench (Tool Type: Allen wrench) — Turning the mounting ring to detach the disposal.
- Large Screwdriver (Tool Type: Screwdriver, Screwdriver Type: Phillips head) — Loosening the dishwasher hose clamp and removing the electrical cover plate.
- Channel Lock Pliers (Tool Type: Pliers, Pliers Type: Channel-lock pliers) · optional — Loosening stubborn drain pipe connectors.
- Voltage Detector (Tool Type: Testing) — Verifying that the electrical power to the disposal is off.
841K subscribers
FAQs
How difficult is this project for a beginner, and how long does it typically take?
This is a beginner-friendly plumbing project, but patience is key, especially with old, corroded parts. Expect it to take 1-2 hours, depending on how easily the old flange comes out and the amount of cleaning required. Factor in additional time for thorough leak testing to ensure a watertight seal.
Do I really need a special tub drain wrench, or can I use other tools to remove the old flange?
A dedicated tub drain wrench (like the Husky Double Ended Tub Drain Wrench 16PL0128) is highly recommended. It provides the best grip and leverage, minimizing the risk of stripping the flange or damaging the tub. While some might try large pliers or screwdrivers with a hammer, these often cause more damage and frustration.
My old drain flange is stuck or severely corroded. How can I remove it without damaging the tub?
If the flange is very stuck, try applying penetrating oil and letting it sit for a few hours to loosen corrosion. Use the tub drain wrench firmly but carefully to avoid stripping the interior. For extremely stubborn or corroded flanges, you might need to carefully cut the crossbars inside the flange with a reciprocating saw and then break out the pieces, always protecting the tub surface.
What's the best way to ensure a watertight seal and prevent future leaks when installing the new flange? Should I use plumber's putty or silicone?
Plumber's putty is generally preferred for this application. Apply a generous, even bead of Oatey Plumber's Putty underneath the lip of the new flange before setting it into the drain opening; it should squeeze out when tightened. For added security, you can also wrap Teflon tape around the drain shoe threads before screwing in the new flange.
TranscriptHide
Auto-generated transcript. May contain errors.
Gather Tools and Materials — Prepare the Work Area
Part of project
How to Remove and Replace a Bathtub Drain Flange · Step 1 of 7
In this video
Before starting, gather all necessary tools and materials. This includes a small bucket to catch water, a cardboard box for support, a towel for cleanup, a disposal wrench (often comes with the disposal), a large screwdriver, channel lock pliers, and a voltage detector for safety.
Goal: Prepare for removal
Used in this video
- Small Bucket (Tool Type: Bucket) — Catching residual water from drain pipes.
- Towel (Tool Type: Cleaning Supplies) — Cleaning up any water spills.
- Disposal Wrench (Tool Type: Allen wrench) — Turning the mounting ring to detach the disposal.
- Large Screwdriver (Tool Type: Screwdriver, Screwdriver Type: Phillips head) — Loosening the dishwasher hose clamp and removing the electrical cover plate.
- Channel Lock Pliers (Tool Type: Pliers, Pliers Type: Channel-lock pliers) · optional — Loosening stubborn drain pipe connectors.
- Voltage Detector (Tool Type: Testing) — Verifying that the electrical power to the disposal is off.
Frequently Asked Questions
How difficult is this project for a beginner, and how long does it typically take?
This is a beginner-friendly plumbing project, but patience is key, especially with old, corroded parts. Expect it to take 1-2 hours, depending on how easily the old flange comes out and the amount of cleaning required. Factor in additional time for thorough leak testing to ensure a watertight seal.
Do I really need a special tub drain wrench, or can I use other tools to remove the old flange?
A dedicated tub drain wrench (like the Husky Double Ended Tub Drain Wrench 16PL0128) is highly recommended. It provides the best grip and leverage, minimizing the risk of stripping the flange or damaging the tub. While some might try large pliers or screwdrivers with a hammer, these often cause more damage and frustration.
My old drain flange is stuck or severely corroded. How can I remove it without damaging the tub?
If the flange is very stuck, try applying penetrating oil and letting it sit for a few hours to loosen corrosion. Use the tub drain wrench firmly but carefully to avoid stripping the interior. For extremely stubborn or corroded flanges, you might need to carefully cut the crossbars inside the flange with a reciprocating saw and then break out the pieces, always protecting the tub surface.
What's the best way to ensure a watertight seal and prevent future leaks when installing the new flange? Should I use plumber's putty or silicone?
Plumber's putty is generally preferred for this application. Apply a generous, even bead of Oatey Plumber's Putty underneath the lip of the new flange before setting it into the drain opening; it should squeeze out when tightened. For added security, you can also wrap Teflon tape around the drain shoe threads before screwing in the new flange.
Video Transcript
(233 characters)Hide
Video Transcript
(233 characters)Transcript may be auto-generated and contain errors.