25 Jul How To Remove A Shower Drain Cover

Removing A Shower Drain Cover

Shower drain covers are great for preventing things like loose pieces of jewelry, hair clips, bathroom razor blades, and shampoo caps from slipping down into the drain. They aren’t great at stopping hair though. Over time, hair accumulates down inside the drain, which creates a clogged drain. The clog eventually causes the water to drain slower. When that happens, it’s time to take the cover off and remove the debris that caused the clogged drain.

First Step to Removing a Shower Drain Cover

Do a quick glance over before removing it. Examine how it’s attached. A standard shower drain cover is attached with a screw in the center. Other drains snap into place instead. A snap on shower drain cover will generally have a silicone adhesive that holds it in place. Just give it a little tug and it will pop out.

Helpful Tools to Use in Removal Process

Having tools on hand to use during the removal process helps removal go a bit smoother. Helpful tools to have close by are:

• Philips screwdriver or a flat-head screwdriver for a screw in drain cover
• Needle nose pliers for a snap on drain cover
• Spray lubricant to use along the outer lip of the cover
• Utility knife
• Silicone caulk

How to Remove the Cover

Spray lubricant along the lip of the cover and let it settle down into the threads for a minute or two. A cover attached by a screw is as simple as inserting the screwdriver and turning it until the screw comes out. If the screw doesn’t turn easily, spray a little lubricant on it and try twisting it out again with the screw driver. Once the screw is out, place it somewhere that can’t fall down into the clogged shower drain once the cover is off. Insert the tip of the screwdriver through an opening in the cover and lift up.

For a snap in cover, spray lubricant along the edges of it as well. Let it settle down into the threads. Insert the needle-nose pliers into the openings of the drain cover, firmly grip the pliers, twist it towards the left, and pull it out. Use additional lubricant during removal if necessary.

Use a utility knife to cut the caulking around the cover. Put masking tape around the drain prior to cutting the caulking. This will help in preventing any possible damage to the shower floor while cutting caulk away.

Oftentimes, hair and debris will be wrapped around the cover, making it hard to pull it off. If there is hair or debris wrapped around the cover, just use the utility knife to cut it loose. Clean the cover off and remove any excess once the cover is removed.

Cleaning Out the Clogged Shower Drain

Once the drain cover is removed, use a flashlight to look down into the drain. Make sure there aren’t any large objects down inside the drain.
If the clogged drain is due to hair buildup, reach down inside and pull the hair out of it. Make sure to wear gloves while pulling all of the hair out. It will be slippery and slimy.

If there is any hair further down inside the clogged shower drain that is out of reach, use a plumbers snake to pull it out. A wire hanger can be used as well. Untwist the wire hanger completely. Bend the straight end of the wire into a small hook with a pair of needle-nose pliers. Insert the snake into the clogged drain, using a flashlight to look down into it, and hook any hair or debris inside it. Once it is hooked, pull it out of the drain. Repeat the process as necessary, until all the hair and debris is removed.

Last But Not Least

When the clogged shower drain is clear and flowing freely again, replace the shower drain cover. Add silicone caulk around the edge and insert it into place. Screw the screw back in, or snap it back on and twist right if it is a snap on cover. Let the caulk set before using the shower again.

If you aren’t conformable removing your shower drain cover, or if drainage problems persist after the shower drain has been cleaned, contact a plumber. If the water is still draining slowly, this means the blockage may be much further down the line and may require professional grade tools to remove the blockage. Trust Ben Franklin with all of your residential plumbing needs, call us today!

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Tyler serves the East Texas cities of Kilgore, Longview, Tyler, and Whitehouse with a team of certified plumbers. In addition to emergency plumbing repair, some of the plumbing services provided by the company include faucet repair, drain services, toilet repair, plumbing fixture installations, tub and shower installations, kitchen sink repair, faucet installation, water heater repair/replacement, and garbage disposal replacement. Call us today at (903) 730-6611 to schedule an appointment!