Do you have a clogged shower drain but can’t seem to remove the cover? If so, then you’re not alone. Many people have trouble removing shower drain covers, whether they are part of a complex plumbing system or just an everyday bathroom fixture. But the good news is that it’s actually quite simple to do! In this blog post, we will show you how to easily and quickly remove your shower drain cover in just a few easy steps. From there, unclogging your drains won’t be nearly as daunting as it used to be!
Different Types of Shower Drain Covers
The shower drain covers come in different shapes, sizes, and technology. If you are looking to remove the shower drain cover, you need to learn and understand each of the types of shower Drain cover types.
Screw-in – This is a standard shower drain and resembles a tea strainer. It can either be flat or concave and can be removed with a Philips screwdriver.
Pop-up – Pop-up shower drain can be easily lifted and does not need any tools for the purpose. You can use a straight-up force to pull it up.
Toe touch – This shower drain opens and closes with the press of a toe. It may appear tricky to remove, but actually, it is very easy.
Push/Pull – The Push – Pull shower drain cover is held in place through a stopper and can be easily lifted with a counterclockwise motion.
Lift and Turn – The Lift and Turn shower drain cover is almost similar to the Push/Pull option. It has a stopper held in place through a screw.
Flip It – The flip it drains cover is quite simple to remove and does not require any tool for the purpose.
How To Remove The Shower Drain Cover?
Now that you know the different types of shower drain covers and how easy they may be to work with, let us try finding how to take off drain cover for accessing the drain easily.
The tools you need
To lift shower drain cover, you will generally need the following tools:
- Philips screwdriver. You may also need the flathead screwdriver if you have a screw in the drain cover.
- Trash can. This is used for pulling out the clog from the drain
- A plastic container or resealable bag for holding the small screws.
- Wash cloth for covering the drain gate
- Needle nose pliers if you have a snap-on drain covers
- A utility knife
- Spray lubricant
Detailed Steps For How To Remove Shower Drain Cover
The steps used in removing the shower drain cover will largely be based on the type of shower drain cover that you have.
How to Remove a Screw-in Shower Drain Cover
Follow the steps here below –
- Loosen the screws holding the screw in shower cover with the Philips screw driver.
- Make sure to keep the removed screws in the plastic tray or container
- If you are unable to remove any of the screws, spray a liberal amount of lubricant. Let it settle for around two minutes
- Once all the screws have been removed, you can insert the tip of the screwdriver through the hole near the rim.
- Pry open the cover slowly, taking care not to damage or bend it.
- Once the cover has been removed, clear the clog using a putty knife or a utility knife.
How to Remove a Screw-on Shower Drain Cover
Steps in the case of a snap-on cover would be slightly different. You may follow the steps here below:
- Apply a liberal amount of lubricant along the shower drain cover and its lip. Leave it for two minutes to let the rust loosen up
- Check for the opening on the drain cover and insert the tips of the needle nose pliers into the hole.
- Holding the pliers firmly with one hand, spin to the left gradually. The adhesive should give away and the cover should come up free.
- If the cover does not come up for one or the other reason, you can add more lubricant to help it loosen up.
- Once the cover is removed, you can easily remove the clog and debris from the drain. However, if you find it difficult to clean up the old drain cover, getting a shower drain cover replacement is a great idea. You can get new ones on MyHomeware, where there are different types of shower drain covers.
Closing Thoughts
Having the shower drain clogged can be quite annoying. But, if you want to remove the clog from the drain, you need to remove the shower drain cover. The tips and options indicated above to learn how to open bathroom drain cover can be quite simple and easy to follow. Make sure to understand what type of shower drain cover you are using before making any attempts to remove it. Simply go through the steps and get rid of the clog to a comfortable extent.
FAQs About How To Remove Shower Drain Cover
The shower drain cover can be removed with a Philips screwdriver if it is a screw-in type drain cover or a set of nose pliers if it is a snap-on type drain cover. You can also clean the shower drain without removing the drain cover through the use of a liquid drain cleaner.
Yes, the shower drain covers do come off easily. You will either need to unscrew it or use a pair of nose pliers to remove them.
If you have a shower drain cover without screws, find which type of cover you have. If it is a lift-and-turn type of cover, it can be easily removed using your hands. Pull the cover upwards and then unscrew the base anti-clockwise to pull it off.
If you have a toe touch cover, press the cover to open it and then turn it anticlockwise to remove it. The push/pull covers can be opened and removed by pulling up to the open position.
To remove a pop-up drain cover, press, and release it so that it will spring up into the open position. Turn the lid in an anticlockwise direction and it should be removed easily.
