Skip to main content

Remove the Drain Stopper — Remove the Shower Drain Cover

Beginner60 mins

Part of project

Unclog a Shower Drain: Quick Guide with Standing Water · Step 1 of 3

Helpful?

In this video

With the pop-up stopper in the open (up) position, grip the top and twist it counter-clockwise. Continue twisting until the stopper is fully unscrewed from the drain opening. Lift the stopper out of the sink and set it aside.

Goal: Remove the pop-up stopper for cleaning

Used in this video

  • Pop-up Drain Stopper (Material: Metal)The part being removed and cleaned.
57.0K views18130 seconds
Howcast

9.4M subscribers

View Channel

FAQs

What type of plunger should I use for a shower drain, and is the specified VEVOR drain auger necessary?

For shower drains, a cup-style plunger (also known as a sink plunger) works best as it creates a good seal on flat surfaces. While the VEVOR auger is a solid recommendation, any flexible drain snake with a good hook or corkscrew end will generally be effective for most shower clogs.

What safety precautions should I take when trying to unclog a shower drain, especially with standing water?

Always wear sturdy rubber gloves to protect your hands from bacteria and grime. Eye protection is also advisable to guard against splashes during plunging or snaking. It's crucial to avoid using chemical drain cleaners, as they can cause serious burns and damage pipes.

I've plunged several times, but the water isn't going down. What am I doing wrong, or what should I try next?

Ensure you have a complete seal with the plunger; sometimes adding a little more water to fully submerge the plunger head helps. If there's an overflow plate in the shower/tub, cover it with a wet cloth to prevent air from escaping. If plunging fails, it's time to move on to the drain snake, as the clog is likely too deep or solid for just a plunger.

The project estimates 60 minutes. What if it takes much longer, or I can't get the clog cleared?

The 60-minute estimate is for typical clogs using the recommended tools. If you've diligently followed the steps for over an hour and the clog persists, it might indicate a more complex issue deeper in your plumbing. At this point, it's best to contact a professional plumber to avoid potentially causing further damage.

Transcript
Hide

What you want to do is you want to twist this off. In most pop-up drain stoppers in sinks especially bathroom sinks you're going to have to twist it counter- clockwise to remove it just like that okay. Now as you can see with this right here the grate is actually on the pop-up drain stopper. I'm going to place that to the side. If you look inside of the sink drain there's no grate like

Auto-generated transcript. May contain errors.