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.