How To Fix A Bathtub Drain - DIY - PJ Fitzpatrick

Home » How To Fix Tub Drain » How To Fix A Bathtub Drain - DIY - PJ Fitzpatrick

Maybe your like

Call For Free Estimate 1-877-246-4354 P.J. Fitzpatrick
  • Home Repairs
    • Storm Damage Repair
    • Real Estate Repair
    • Residential Repair Contractor
    • Affordable Home Repair
    • Exterior Home Renovation
  • Roofing
    • Roof Repairs
      • Emergency Roof Repair
    • Roof Replacement
    • Types of Roofing
      • Architectural Shingles
      • Cedar Shingles
      • CertainTeed Shingles
      • Cool Roof Technology
      • Copper Roofing
      • Flat Roofing
      • Luxury Shingles
      • Metal Roofing
      • Slate Roofing
      • Tile Roofing Shingles
    • Specialty Roofing
      • Historic Roof Repair
      • Historic Roof Replacement
      • Cedar Shingles
      • Copper Roofing
      • Slate Roofing
      • Tile Roofing
    • Commercial Roofing
      • EPDM Flat Roofing
      • Commercial Metal Roofing
      • TPO Flat Roofing
    • Recommended Roofers
    • Additional Services
      • Attic Insulation with New Roof
      • Chimney Caps & Pipe Collars
      • Copper Chimney Flashing
      • HOA Roofing
      • Roof Flashing
      • Roof Leaks
      • Roof Ventilation
      • Skylights
    • Resources
      • How to Inspect Your Roof
      • Is it Time to Replace Your Roof
      • What You Need to Know
      • Installation Process
      • Photo Gallery
  • Windows
    • Window Replacement
    • Window Installation
    • Window Repair
    • Vinyl Window Installation
    • Types of Windows
      • Awning Windows
      • Bay Windows
      • Black Vinyl Windows
      • Bow Windows
      • Casement Windows
      • Custom Shaped Windows
      • Double-Hung Windows
      • Garden Windows
      • Glider Windows
      • Picture Window
      • Round-Top Windows
    • Resources
      • Installation Process
      • Photo Gallery
  • Siding
    • Siding Repairs
    • Siding Installation
    • Siding Replacement
    • Local Siding Company
    • Siding Types
      • Vinyl Shake and Shingle Siding
      • Vinyl Horizontal Siding
      • Vertical Vinyl Siding
      • Vinyl Siding Colors
    • Resources
      • Installation Process
      • Photo Gallery
  • Gutters
    • Gutter Repairs
    • Gutter Installation
    • Rain Gutter Repair
    • Gutter Cleaning
    • Gutter Guards
    • Yankee Gutter Repair
    • Ice Dam Removal
    • Photo Gallery
  • Doors
    • Door Repairs
    • Door Installation
      • Front Door Replacement
    • New Front Door
    • Door Types
      • Exterior French Doors
      • Fiberglass Front Doors
      • Sliding Glass Doors
      • Wood Front Doors
    • Resources
      • Door Samples & Materials
      • Photo Gallery
  • Baths
    • One Day Bath Replacement
    • Bathtub Replacement
    • Shower Replacement
      • Walk-In Showers
    • Shower Remodel
    • Bathroom Remodel
    • Bathrooms for Seniors
    • Tub to Shower Conversion
      • Replacing Bath With A Shower
    • Shower To Tub Conversions
    • Resources
      • Questions & Answers
      • Bath & Shower Maintenance
      • Bath Comparisons
      • Photo Gallery
  • Financing
  • Specials
  • Careers - We're Hiring!
  • Recent Projects
  • Do It Yourself
  • Pay Bill
  • Customer Service
  • Live Chat
  • Refer A Friend
  • Online Estimate
Call For Free Estimate 1-877-246-4354 Get Online Estimate Default header image DIY Logo The do it yourself resource for homeowners from home improvement professionals.

Sometimes bathtub drains don’t drain as well as they should. Luckily, improving the seal and water flow is an easy task. Here, our bathtub installation experts share how to fix some of the most common bathtub drains:

Lift & Turn Drains

  1. First, use your screwdriver to loosen the screws on the overflow faceplate and remove.
  2. After that, lift up the drain plug.
  3. Next, locate the setscrew underneath the lip of the plug.
  4. Loosen the setscrew and remove the plug.
  5. Flush both the tub drain and overflow drain with a solution of one cup white vinegar and one cup baking soda.
  6. After 30 minutes, rinse with hot water.
  7. Lastly, clean and reinstall the overflow faceplate and the drain plug.

Pop-Up Drains

  1. First, use your screwdriver to loosen the screws on the overflow faceplate and remove.
  2. Next, remove the trip lever and linkage from the drain.
  3. After that, move the rocker arm so the drain is in the open position.
  4. Turn and wiggle the assembly until it detaches from the drain.
  5. Next, flush both the tub drain and overflow drain with a solution of one cup white vinegar and one cup baking soda.
  6. After 30 minutes, rinse with hot water.
  7. Clean the linkage, rocker arm, and stopper with a brush and a mild cleaning solution.
  8. Reinstall the faceplate, arm and stopper assembly, and the trip lever and linkage.
  9. If the drain doesn’t flow well, loosen the locknut with your wrench.
  10. Turn and lift the rod counterclockwise, then tighten the locknut.

Plunger Drains

  1. First, use your screwdriver to loosen the screws on the overflow faceplate and remove.
  2. Make sure your linkage and plunger are removed as well.
  3. Next, use a brush and a mild cleaning solution to clean the plunger and linkage.
  4. After that, flush both the tub drain and overflow drain with a solution of one cup white vinegar and one cup baking soda.
  5. After 30 minutes, rinse with hot water.
  6. Clean and reinstall your linkage, plunger, overflow faceplate and drain plug.
  7. Check the drain by partially filling the tub and making sure the drain is sealed.
  8. Next, open the drain and check the water flow.
  9. If the drain allows water to seep out, use your wrench to loosen the locknut.
  10. Turn and lift the rod counterclockwise, then tighten the locknut.

Lever Drains

  1. First, use your screwdriver to loosen the screws on the trip lever faceplate and remove.
  2. Make sure your linkage and plunger are removed as well.
  3. Flush both the tub drain and overflow drain with a solution of one cup white vinegar and one cup baking soda.
  4. After 30 minutes, rinse with hot water.
  5. Clean and reinstall the plunger, linkage, and faceplate.
  6. Check the drain by partially filling the tub and making sure the drain is sealed.
  7. Next, open the drain and check the water flow.
  8. If the drain allows water to seep out, use your wrench to loosen the locknut.
  9. Turn and lift the rod counterclockwise, then tighten the locknut.

Foot-Lock or Roller Ball Drains

  1. First, use your screwdriver to loosen the screws on the overflow faceplate and remove.
  2. Next, rotate your drain plug counterclockwise until it can be easily removed.
  3. Flush both the tub drain and overflow drain with a solution of one cup white vinegar and one cup baking soda.
  4. After 30 minutes, rinse with hot water.
  5. Clean and reinstall the overflow faceplate and the drain plug.
How to Fix a Bathtub Drain

Tools & Materials

  • Screwdriver
  • Wrench
  • Brush
  • White vinegar
  • Baking soda
  • Hot water

Need help with this project?

We have trained professionals that can help. Contact us today. 1-877-246-4354

Get Free Estimate

Home Improvement

  • How to Build Plexiglass Storm Windows
  • How to Replace a Chimney Cap
  • How to De-ice A Roof
  • How To Get Leaves Off Of A Roof
  • How To Mount A TV On Vinyl Siding

Siding Installation

  • How to Choose the Right Siding Color for Your Home
  • How to Make Siding Look Like Wood
  • How To Replace Home Siding
  • How to Install the Top Piece of Vinyl Siding
  • How to Install Vinyl Siding Mounting Block

Gutter Repair

  • How to Adjust Aluminum Gutter Pitch for Proper Drainage
  • How to Realign Sagging Gutters and Restore Proper Drainage
  • How to Seal Gutter Joints
  • How to Install a Gutter Liner System
  • How to Clear Clogged Gutters

Roof Repair

  • How To Know When It’s Time To Replace Your Roof
  • How To Install Roof Flashing Around A Chimney Step-by-Step
  • How to Fix Cracked Roof Shingles
  • How to Safely Tarp a Roof
  • How to Fix a Shingle Roof Valley

Installing Insulation

  • How to Insulate a Roof Without an Attic
  • How to Blow In Insulation
  • How to Insulate a Crawl Space
  • How to Insulate a House
  • How to Insulate a Garage

Window Replacement

  • How to Replace Vinyl Windows
  • How to Remove a Window
  • How to Remove Home Windows
  • How to Replace Exterior Window Trim and Seal Against Water Damage
  • How To Prepare An Older Home For Window Replacement Without Interior Damage

Door Installation

  • How to Measure a Storm Door
  • How to Replace a Patio Door
  • How to Replace a Sliding Glass Door
  • How to Install a Prehung Exterior Door
  • How to Build an Insulated Exterior Door

Shower Installation

  • How to Install a Hand Shower with Slide Bar
  • How To Install a Shower Pan
  • How to Replace a Shower Drain
  • How to Install a Shower Door
  • How to Install a Walk In Shower

Bathtub Installation

  • How to Replace a Shower Pan
  • How To Remove A Cracked Shower Pan
  • How to Install a Fiberglass Tub and Shower Surround
  • How to Remove a Cast Iron Tub
  • How to Fit a Bath

Gutter Installation

  • How To Inspect Fascia and Roof Edges Before Installing New Gutters
  • How to Install Gutter Flashing
  • How to Install Gutters on a Metal Roof
  • How to Choose the Right Gutter Size
  • How to Install Vinyl Gutters

Siding Repair

  • How to Remove Vinyl Siding Without Damaging it
  • How to Replace a Piece of Siding
  • How to Fix Missing Siding Panels
  • How to Fix Missing Siding
  • How to Remove and Replace Rotting Fascia Boards

Shower Repair

  • How to Replace a Shower Head
  • How To Regrout A Tile Shower
  • How to Replace Shower Caulk
  • How to Replace a Shower Handle
  • How to Remove Shower Wall Surround

Roofing Installation

  • How to Vent A Water Heater Through Your Roof
  • How to Install a Shingle Roof
  • How to Build a Roof Over My Existing Deck
  • How To Remove Asphalt Shingles
  • How to Hang Shingles

Bathtub Maintenance

  • How to Install a Grab Bar in a Shower
  • How to Install a Shower Bench
  • How to Replace Grout In a Shower
  • How to Move a Bathtub Drain
  • How to Fix a Leaky Bathtub Faucet

Window Repair

  • How To Replace A Broken Window
  • How To Make Temporary Window Screens
  • How To Seal A Window Leak
  • How To Cover Windows For Winter
  • How to Remove Home Windows

Window Installation

  • How to Measure Window Screens
  • How to Build Your Own Storm Windows
  • How to Build Plexiglass Storm Windows
  • How to Install a New Window
  • How to Install Window Flashing Tape

Door Repair

  • How to Repair a Door Frame
  • How to Replace a Door Knob
  • How To Fix A Door That Rubs At The Top
  • How to Repair a Drafty Front Door
  • How to Paint a Front Door

PJ Fitzpatrick, LLC

21 Industrial Blvd. New Castle, DE 19720

6380 Flank Dr. #600 Harrisburg, PA 17112

141 Delta Dr. Suite D Pittsburgh, PA 15238

1000 Prime Place. Hauppauge, NY 11788

2 Cranberry Rd. #A5 Parsippany, NJ 07054

5061 Howerton Way. Suite L Bowie, MD 20715

10189 Maple Leaf Ct. Ashland, VA 23005

2551 Eltham Ave. Suite L Norfolk, VA 23513

8407 Firebird Dr. Ste 200, Fairfield, OH 45011

Connect With Us

Check out our social pages or our reviews page and let us know how we’re doing!

FacebookTwitterYouTubeInstagramLinkedin read our reviews

Our Services

Our Latest Blog Post

Recent Posts

  • Ice Damming: What It Is, Why It Happens, And How To Prevent It

View All

© 2026 PJ Fitzpatrick, LLCNJ Lic. #13VH10727200 | DE Lic. #2009603070 | PA Lic. #PA011323 | MD Lic. #130457WDC Lic. #420223000113 | VA Lic. #2705189958 | Suffolk NY Lic. #HI-61468 | Nassau NY Lic. #151702 | NYC Lic. #2128461-DCWPNJ Plumbing Lic. David Geiger # 36BI01232300 | MD Plumbing Lic. #98756 | OH Plumbing Lic. #48314 | IN Plumbing Lic. #CO52600002 Website by the Prager Microsystems, Inc. Digital Marketing Agency

Tag » How To Fix Tub Drain