How to Fix a Shower Drain That Broke Loose

Fixing a drain assembly that broke loose does not require advanced plumbing skills.

Many bathtubs that also serve as showers use a lever-style drain plug, which you activate by pulling up or down on a small metal lever that sits just above the opening in the overflow drain. The drain plug mechanism connects to the lever and extends down the overflow drain, which keeps the tub from overflowing with water, until it meets up with the main drain. Over time the drain plug mechanism can come loose, either where it connects with the lever or the plunger piece. You can fix either problem in a few minutes and with common tools.

Things You'll Need

• Towel
• Screwdriver
• Pliers
• Flexible retrieval tool
• Needle-nose pliers

Instructions

1. Place a towel over the shower's floor drain to protect against losing anything down it. Back out the two screws holding the drain lever cover, located on the wall of the shower and tub, in place and set the screws in a safe location.

2. Pull on the drain lever to remove the plate from the wall. Keep pulling until the linkage assembly and the brass plunger piece on the end of the linkage come out of the overflow drain hole, or reach into the drain with pliers, grab the end of the linkage and pull it out of the drain.

3. Remove the brass plunger piece from the overflow drain if it does not come out attached to the linkage device by feeding a flexible retrieval tool down the overflow drain.

4. Secure the brass plunger piece to the linkage by using needle-nose pliers to pinch the end of the metal loop on the linkage assembly closed, with the loop on the plunger piece on the linkage. Secure the other end of the linkage to the back of the lever's plate using needle-nose pliers.

5. Feed the linkage and brass plunger back into the overflow drain. Drive the screws into the holes in the lever plate to secure it to the wall.

References

• This Old House: How to Fix a Bathtub Drain Stopper