I am trying to remove the drain plug from my bathtub to make it easier to unclog. I have removed the top cap of the plug to expose a screw. I cannot get this screw loose. Is there a trick?

Yes, there is a trick to these plugs. The easiest way to unclog a tub drain is to use a ZipIt. It's a long (15") piece of flat plastic around 1" wide that has little barbs on the plastic piece. This is the best thing I have ever used to unclog a bathtub drain as I have very long hair and every time I wash my hair it gets clogged in the tub drain. No need to totally remove the tub drain screw or you might not get it back in again. This costs about $3-$4 at WallyWorld.

If you have a lift and turn type drain plug, the screw should come out if you let the drain down and then try to unscrew the screw.

You snake the bathtub drains through the overflow, not the drain in the bottom of the tub otherwise the snake doesn't get anywhere.

I agree with Keepitsimplestupid,

Snake it from the tub waste and overflow, (see image). Unscrew and remove the overflow plate, (The one with the drain lever) and pull out the tub stopper if you have one. Feed the cable (1/4" best or 3/3" with a small tip. You can rent a Ridged K50 sink cable.) About 2' down you will run into the bend of the trap. Crank and push at the same time to work around it. Your blockage will be found in the lateral pipe going to the stack. You shouldn't have to put out more then 10 or 12 feet. We have found tub and shower clogs to be mostly hair and the worm should auger into it and pull it back, good Luck.

John

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Originally Posted by sgdevries

I am trying to remove the drain plug from my bathtub to make it easier to unclog. I have removed the top cap of the plug to expose a screw. I cannot get this screw loose. Is there a trick?

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Is this the stopper that you have? (see image) Let me know. Tom

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Originally Posted by speedball1

Is this the stopper that you have?, (see image) Let me know. Tom

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No, on mine the top nipple of the plug turned off easily and there is a large screw going straight down the drain. It is not a lift and turn plug, it stays open just by lifting it. I could not find a set screw like in the picture.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sgdevries

No, on mine the top nipple of the plug turned off easily and there is a large screw going straight down the drain. It is not a lift and turn plug, it stays open just by lifting it. I could not find a set screw like in the picture.

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Any of these fit the discription? (see images) Cheers, Tom

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Originally Posted by speedball1

Any of these fit the discription? (see images) Cheers, Tom

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The picture second from the right is the closest; the knob on top turns off exposing the head of a brass screw. This is the screw I can not loosen.

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Originally Posted by sgdevries

The picture second from the right is the closest; the knob on top turns off exposing the head of a brass screw. This is the screw I can not loosen.

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Put a pair of vice grips on that brass screw and turn it out counterclockwise.
Good luck, Tom