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soccermom63 · Sep 2, 2014, 06:10 PM

My bathtub has a tip-toe stopper. I am trying to remove it. I have removed the flat piece that is pressed to either stop-up the tub or release the water. However, the screw that is inside the plastic (PVC?) piping will not budge. I have tried using an anti-corrosive spray on lubricant that our plumbing supply store suggested, yet it has not budged at all (I've been working on it all day - about 10 hours). In addition, I've ben using a long handled screw driver for leverage. Any suggestions?

afaroo · Sep 2, 2014, 07:55 PM

Can you post a picture of it, Thanks.

speedball1 · Sep 3, 2014, 04:54 AM

Which toe-stopper is yours? +Let me know, Tom

soccermom63 · Sep 3, 2014, 02:34 PM

Tip-toe stopper (#2)

ballengerb1 · Sep 3, 2014, 03:08 PM

If you want to totally remove it you must reach it from below the tub, there is a big nut holding tight to the tub

hkstroud · Sep 3, 2014, 06:02 PM

Obviously the stopper is intended to be removed by turning the center screw, as you have been attempting to do. Corrosion is not the problem because the screw is brass and brass does not corrode.

That leaves the plastic part. If it is down pull it up. If it is up, push it down. Most likely it is down in the closed position and preventing the stopper from turning.

If all else fails, get a small, sharp chisel and hammer. Cut away the plastic on one side so you can see what is preventing it from turning.

soccermom63 · Sep 3, 2014, 08:46 PM

ballengerb1,
Thanks for your response. The tub is enclosed in tile. I think to go under the tub will mean cutting the tile and having to reinstall that, or coming through the ceiling of the room below, which I'd also like to avoid. Another website mentioned drilling a hole in the screw (my husband thinks it is stripped) and using a tool called 'the easy out' to remove it.

ballengerb1 · Sep 3, 2014, 08:53 PM

That won't help, how do you think you would be able to install the new one. Hole in the ceiling is in your future

soccermom63 · Sep 3, 2014, 08:59 PM

hkstroud,
Thanks for your response. The plastic does move freely up and down. I tried pulling/twisting it off with a vice grip, but it didn't come off. I hoped if I could get the plastic off I would be able to use the vice grip to twist the screw, assuming the head of it is stripped, as my husband suspects.

ballengerb1,
For the other bathrooms, I simply used a pop-in stopper that does a great job. It won't work for selling the house, but that isn't in the near future anyway. Right now, I'd be happy getting the tub into a useable state, which just means getting the screw and plastic tubing/housing removed. Eventually, I've read other websites that describe how to remove the corroded drain around the stopper device, but again that's not my immediate concern.

hkstroud · Sep 4, 2014, 02:10 PM

Bob is talking about removing the stopper and the tub flange. Something I assume you don't want to do. You just want to remove the stopper. If you don't want to try to chisel out the plastic. Stop by Harbor freight and get a multi-function tool. The blades that come with won't be worth having but should cut the plastic. You may have to get a good blade from Home Depot if you want to do any real cutting of wood or metal. Once you have it you will find it handy for lots of things.
Use that to cut away the plastic so you can see how to remove the stopper. Manufactures make stopper in different ways to hide the way they are installed.

As stated previously corrosion is not the problem because all the metal parts are brass.
The multi-function tool is shown below with a sanding attachment but comes with a long slender cutting blade. Tool works by vibration. It is easy to control and works great in tight places like this. Cost $20.

massplumber2008 · Sep 4, 2014, 05:45 PM

You can do as Hkstroud presented, or you can take a simple AWL and put a dent in the center of the brass bolt and then drill the brass head off the bolt... use small drill bit to larger drill bit, but remember that the size of the brass bolt shouldn't exceed 1/4" or so, so there should not be a need to use a bit much larger than that to drill through the head of the brass bolt and separate the head from the bolt. Once the head is off the bolt you can pull the plastic piece up and off the bolt and then use a pair of vice grips to remove the brass bolt, if needed! You can then install a new pop-top, if you want, but that drain is pretty corroded and I can't help but suggest that you replace everything if you are up to it!

Did that all make sense?

Mark

soccermom63 · Sep 4, 2014, 06:48 PM

massplumber2008,
Thanks for your input. I drove a screwdriver in between the plastic part and the brass screw and then hammered the screwdriver until the plastic cracked. Then I dug the plastic loose, piece by piece, until I had it all out, including two springs. (I had no clue there was that much crammed into that space.) Once I got the plastic out with long-nosed pliers, I used a vice-grip to twist off the screw.

I understand from one of the salespeople at a local plumbing supply store that I can by a tool that will insert into the remaining drain piece and allow me to twist it out of the tub, all without having to cut into my kitchen ceiling or tile tub-surround. I think if it doesn't involve cutting with a blade, I might be able to pull it off. And you're right - the corrosion is nasty and has to be done eventually, so why not now:)?

Thanks to EVERYONE for your help! The screw is finally out after too many years of waiting for attention! I couldn't have done it without everyone's suggestions. You have taught me a lot! Thanks!