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Removing the drain cover — Remove the Shower Drain Cover

Beginner45 mins

Part of project

Unclog a Shower Drain: A Step-by-Step Guide · Step 1 of 3

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In this video

Identify the type of shower drain cover. If it has screws, use a Phillips head screwdriver to remove them. If there are no screws, locate the notches on the sides of the cover.

Goal: Gain access to the drain opening.

  • If your drain plate is screwed in, use a Philips head screwdriver to remove the screws.
  • If there are no screws, then the plate is friction-fit into place, and you can use a flat-head screwdriver and gently wedge it free.

Used in this video

  • Screwdriver (Tool Type: Screwdriver, Power Source: Manual, Material Compatibility: Metal-safe, Plastic-safe, Size/Capacity: Small, Durability: Medium, Cost: Low, Material: Metal, Size/Dimension: Small, Screwdriver Handle Type: Standard, Screwdriver Tip Type: Phillips, Flathead, Tool Accessibility: Common household tools, Tool Material: Metal, Tool Size/Length: Handheld, Ease of Use: Easy, Effectiveness: Highly effective, Safety Concerns: Low risk) — Removing screws or prying the cover.
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FAQs

What specific tools will I need for this shower drain unclogging project?

You'll primarily need a Phillips head screwdriver to remove the drain cover, and tweezers or pliers to extract visible obstructions. A kettle or pot to boil water is also essential for flushing. The mention of "Wire Connectors" in the project description seems to be an error and is not needed for this task.

What safety precautions are important to take when using boiling water on the drain?

Exercise extreme caution when pouring boiling water to avoid splashes and burns to your skin. Never mix boiling water with chemical drain cleaners, as this can create dangerous fumes or explosive reactions. Ensure good ventilation in the bathroom before starting.

The project mentions 45 minutes; is this realistic for a beginner, and what if it takes longer?

Yes, 45 minutes is a realistic estimate for a beginner tackling a common hair or soap scum clog. If the clog is deeper or more stubborn, it might take longer or require additional steps like using a drain snake, which is beyond the scope of this guide. Don't rush the process.

What should I do if the boiling water and baking soda method doesn't fully clear the clog?

If the clog persists after trying the boiling water and baking soda method, you can try using a cup plunger for more forceful suction. For deeper clogs, a drain snake might be necessary. If these DIY methods fail, it's best to contact a professional plumber to avoid causing further damage.

Transcript
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videos right let's get to it come on down here to our shower drain plate cover now if you look at this one there's no screws on this if you have one that has screws like a steel plate cover probably have one on each side you're just going to take a phillips head screwdriver you're going to unscrew each of those and then you're going to gently pry it up with your flat head now on this one there's no screws it's just set in place so what we're going to do is we're going to take a flat head screwdriver and get one that has a kind of a thin tip if you look on each side there's these little notches and what we can do is gently put our screwdriver under those notches and pry it up now if it's not coming up you don't want to force it and crack this cover if it's a plastic one get yourself some wd-40 spray it around the rim of the drain let it sit for about 15 minutes or so and then get yourself some pliers that fit into these holes in the drain cover you're going to go ahead and hold the pliers and you're going to pull up with the pliers at the same time you're going to pry that edge with the flat head and pull up and the cover should just pop right out

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