You may want to know how to replace a shower drain and put on a new drain cover. Sometimes this is necessary if the old drain cover or collar becomes corroded or otherwise unsightly.
How to Replace a Shower Drain Step by Step
- Measure the diameter of the drain.
- Select new drain parts of the appropriate size to complete how to replace a shower drain.
- Run the shower for a couple minutes.
- Confirm that water is draining properly. If there is no delay in draining, proceed to Step 10. Otherwise, you must unclog the drain.
- Position a drain snake tool into the drain.
- Turn the crank on the tool to feed the snake down through the pipe.
- Turn the crank the opposite way to retract the snake.
- When the snake comes out, remove the gunk and hair that it brings up. Put the clog material in a bucket for disposal.
- Continue snaking the drain until water drains freely.
- Apply silicone-based lubricant or WD-40 to the drain cover parts.
- Let the lubricant settle into the crevices for 10 minutes.
- Determine if the drain cover is secured with screws.
- If you don’t see a screw holding down the cover, you may be able to pry it off with a flathead screwdriver. You may have a lift-and-turn, toe-touch, or push-and-pull cover. These you can lift and unscrew (counterclockwise) with your hand.
- If you see a screw holding a drain cover, remove it with a flathead screwdriver.
- The cover should lift off after you remove the screw.
- Look into the drain to see if another screw is holding down the drain collar.
- Remove that screw if present.
- Spray some more lubricant into the collar and let it set for a few minutes.
- Now grab opposing sides of the drain collar with both needle-nose pliers.
- Twist the part counterclockwise.
- If resistance is stiff, spray and soak with lubricant and try again.
- Unscrew the drain collar.
- You are now ready to install new drain parts.
- Screw in a new drain collar.
- Install the new drain cover according to manufacturer’s directions.