How to Remove a Pop-Up Drain Plug

Removing and replacing drains is an easy and important task in do-it-yourself home plumbing. A pop-up drain plug is typically used with a trip lever, which is the mechanism you pull up on to prevent water from draining. It's located behind the faucet on a sink or below the spigot on a tub. Removing this assembly is simple if you use these steps.

Things You'll Need

• Flathead screwdriver

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Instructions

1. Verify that your drain is a pop-up type. Ensure that your trip lever is open, and drain all the water out of your tub or sink.

2. Unscrew the cover plate located below the spigot when working on tubs. Remove the trip handle. For sinks, there is no cover plate.

3. Remove the drain plate. In tubs, this is typically held in with a single screw. You may need to use a flathead screwdriver to pry up the drain plate. Skip this step if you are working on a sink.

4. Pull the entire assembly from the drain by gently jiggling it free. Use caution, as the assemblies are not typically connected directly to the drain.

5. Repair, clean or replace with a new pop-up assembly and re-seat the cover plate.

6. Replace the drain plate on your tub and screw it in place.

Tips & Warnings

• You may decide that you only need to remove the actual plug itself for cleaning purposes.

• You must have direct access to your tub or sink drain if you are removing the entire assembly. For sinks, this is usually found under the vanity cabinet or behind the pedestal. For tubs, this access is typically behind an access panel. In some cases, drywall cuts may be required.