How to Repair a Leaky or Slow Bathtub Drain

Bathtub drainage problems usually manifest in two ways: water pooling around your ankles during a shower or a persistent drip that suggests a failing seal. A slow drain is almost always an accumulation of hair and soap scum caught on the crosshairs of the drain assembly, while a leak typically points to the integrity of the rubber gasket seated beneath the metal flange or the overflow plate connection. Fixing this is a classic weekend task that requires more patience than specialized skill. You are essentially dismantling the drain basket and the overflow cover, clearing out years of buildup, and establishing a fresh watertight seal. When done correctly, the water will exit the tub with a clean vortex, and the space beneath your tub will stay bone-dry.

  1. Unscrew and Free the Stopper. Most stoppers unscrew by turning them counter-clockwise while holding the body steady. If you have a lever-style linkage, unscrew the faceplate on the overflow cover and pull the entire rod assembly out through the overflow hole.
  2. Fish Out Years of Buildup. Use a plastic drain snake or a wire hanger with a small hook bent at the end to pull hair and gunk out of the drain opening. Be gentle to ensure you do not push the clog further down into the P-trap.
  3. Extract the Old Flange. Insert a drain removal tool into the crosshairs of the drain flange. Use a wrench or screwdriver to rotate the tool counter-clockwise until the flange threads out of the tub drain shoe.
  4. Strip Away Old Putty. Scrape away all old, hardened putty from the tub floor and the drain shoe opening using a plastic putty knife. Wipe the area clean with denatured alcohol to ensure no residue remains.
  5. Seal with Fresh Putty. Roll a rope of plumber's putty about the thickness of a pencil and wrap it around the underside of the new drain flange. Press it firmly into place and screw the flange back into the shoe until it seats tightly against the tub floor.
  6. Verify the Watertight Seal. Fill the tub with a few inches of water and check the area underneath the drain for any sign of moisture. Once satisfied, wipe away the excess putty that squeezed out from under the flange.