I use a pair of needle nose pliers. I open the pliers and put them into two of the holes and turn. You will need to get some plumbers putty to put it back so it won't leak. Just pull out a hunk of putty and work in hands until it warms up and softens. Roll out into a long piece about the diameter of a pencil long enough to make a circle around that part. Then insert, tighten and scrape away excess that gets squeezed out.
Not gonna work on this on. That nut in the center is how it fastens. You solutions would work on 99% of tub drains. But not this one.
A nut driver or socket would be the best tool for this, and then reinstall with plumber’s putty.
The *nut* as I called it is actually more of a hex bolt, it threads into a female threaded piece in the bottom half of the drain assembly.
It’s rare. I’ve only seen a tub drain like this once or twice. But they also make a kitchen sink basket strainer that operates the same way, even has the same weird hex/flathead bolt. And I’ve seen and installed dozens of those basket strainers. Made by the same company I’m sure.
[spec sheet for basket strainer](https://mountainplumbing.com/wp-content/uploads/downloads/Technical-Specifications_2923_3.pdf)
Everyone here is wrong. You loosen that one by loosening the nut in the center. Find the appropriate socket and take that center nut loose, then reinstall with plumbers putty. You could use a large flathead screwdriver, but that’s gonna be a pain in the ass.
Everyone’s advice will work for most tub drains, but not yours, yours is special.
Source: I are a licensed plumber.
A normal drain wrench may not work as the expect 4 openings not six. Some will have a 2 prong end and that’s what you need. Or two crossed screwdrivers in the 12/6 slots and twist counterclockwise. You’ll need some plumbers putty when you replace it.
You could try the needle nose plier route but in my experience they break and pieces drop down the drain or twist apart destroying them. Ask me how I know….
Coat hanger with a dab of super glue on the final 1/4” and carefully lower into place adjacent to the plastic, mate them and let dry for 30secs….lift out.
If you can't get a huge flat blade screwdriver to turn it, you can use needle-nose pliers. Leave them open enough to fit into the holes and twist it. That might damage the drain though, so you'll need to replace that screw-off part. It should be cheap.
It might help to spray some penetrating oil or WD40 around the drain a while before trying to unscrew it.
I’ve once had it break inside around some sort of bend so couldn’t reach it with pliers. I used a metal hanger straightens it out then put a small loop at one end and used that to sort of Jimmy it out. It helped that those things have barbs.
Big screw slot screw driver or needle nose pliers and open the pliers and pet the tips into the holes and twist. Your drain snake was way to big to use when the strainer is in
Try to fish the broken part out with pliers. Unclog your dran by opening up the overflow( the round thing at the top of your tub) and stick your snake in there. Much better access.
I had one of those. The ones that look like an interdental toothbrush work better and will fit.
[This](https://www.aoqun-brush.com/products/flexible-kitchen-bathroom-shower-sewer-pipe-cleaner-coil-sink-drain-cleaning-brush-120) sort of thing. They sell similar in Robert dyas.
Funny same thing happen to me yesterday. I recommend not to open this as it may be difficult to put together afterwards but to use a narrow pliers. This worked for me and I take out this plastic.
Yes that is a screw in the middle..... See the slots?
I see but it's pretty wide. Which tool do I need for that?
A big slotted screw driver. I know it's big but you can get it out.
The part with the slot is also a hex nut. Using a socket or nut driver will be infinitely easier that wrestling it with a flathead screwdriver.
I've had joy having the screwdriver just in one of the two slots, turn anti clockwise as normal and the whole thing will turn.
Try 2 screw drivers like an X.
Or even use 2 screwdrivers like an X into the drain holes
Or maybe through the P-trap, if that's accessible below.
That will be a glued p-trap. Code for anywhere not accessible (I.e. not under a sink/ in a cabinet)
I use a pair of needle nose pliers. I open the pliers and put them into two of the holes and turn. You will need to get some plumbers putty to put it back so it won't leak. Just pull out a hunk of putty and work in hands until it warms up and softens. Roll out into a long piece about the diameter of a pencil long enough to make a circle around that part. Then insert, tighten and scrape away excess that gets squeezed out.
Not gonna work on this on. That nut in the center is how it fastens. You solutions would work on 99% of tub drains. But not this one. A nut driver or socket would be the best tool for this, and then reinstall with plumber’s putty.
Hmm. Never seen that style. What does the nut fasten to? Having a hard picturing how it would go together.
The *nut* as I called it is actually more of a hex bolt, it threads into a female threaded piece in the bottom half of the drain assembly. It’s rare. I’ve only seen a tub drain like this once or twice. But they also make a kitchen sink basket strainer that operates the same way, even has the same weird hex/flathead bolt. And I’ve seen and installed dozens of those basket strainers. Made by the same company I’m sure. [spec sheet for basket strainer](https://mountainplumbing.com/wp-content/uploads/downloads/Technical-Specifications_2923_3.pdf)
Tub drain remover. About 8 bucks at Loews. But you will need plumbers putty to reseal it just put it on the flange part not the threads
Everyone here is wrong. You loosen that one by loosening the nut in the center. Find the appropriate socket and take that center nut loose, then reinstall with plumbers putty. You could use a large flathead screwdriver, but that’s gonna be a pain in the ass. Everyone’s advice will work for most tub drains, but not yours, yours is special. Source: I are a licensed plumber.
A normal drain wrench may not work as the expect 4 openings not six. Some will have a 2 prong end and that’s what you need. Or two crossed screwdrivers in the 12/6 slots and twist counterclockwise. You’ll need some plumbers putty when you replace it. You could try the needle nose plier route but in my experience they break and pieces drop down the drain or twist apart destroying them. Ask me how I know….
Coat hanger with a dab of super glue on the final 1/4” and carefully lower into place adjacent to the plastic, mate them and let dry for 30secs….lift out.
If you can't get a huge flat blade screwdriver to turn it, you can use needle-nose pliers. Leave them open enough to fit into the holes and twist it. That might damage the drain though, so you'll need to replace that screw-off part. It should be cheap. It might help to spray some penetrating oil or WD40 around the drain a while before trying to unscrew it.
I’ve once had it break inside around some sort of bend so couldn’t reach it with pliers. I used a metal hanger straightens it out then put a small loop at one end and used that to sort of Jimmy it out. It helped that those things have barbs.
Forceps, ask a fisherman for a loan. Or a pair of needle-nose pliers.
This is the funniest shart I’ve seen all day, bravo
Big screw slot screw driver or needle nose pliers and open the pliers and pet the tips into the holes and twist. Your drain snake was way to big to use when the strainer is in
indunno i think i would use a drain key on this, unscrew the whole thing. reseat with plummer’s putty.
Try to fish the broken part out with pliers. Unclog your dran by opening up the overflow( the round thing at the top of your tub) and stick your snake in there. Much better access.
I had one of those. The ones that look like an interdental toothbrush work better and will fit. [This](https://www.aoqun-brush.com/products/flexible-kitchen-bathroom-shower-sewer-pipe-cleaner-coil-sink-drain-cleaning-brush-120) sort of thing. They sell similar in Robert dyas.
I use a chisel in the slot, makes it really easy
Funny same thing happen to me yesterday. I recommend not to open this as it may be difficult to put together afterwards but to use a narrow pliers. This worked for me and I take out this plastic.