What workarounds did people try for "How to get a stuck bathtub stopper cap off"?

Community members documented 97 workarounds: 1. Using channel lock pliers 2. Using pliers or a wrench to grip the inner screw or stem 3. Pulling up while twisting counterclockwise 4. Using a thin pair of pliers under the cap to grip the stem 5. Trying a zip tool or snake through the overflow access 6. Using a flat edge screwdriver at the edge or inserting something skinny through the holes to pry it out. 7. Replacing the entire stopper assembly 8. Taking the part to a hardware store to match and replace the o-ring or gasket 9. Buying a new Delta brand spout that fits onto the existing stuck adapter instead of removing it 10. Cutting them off with a Sawzall 11. Prying off the top cap to access a retaining screw 12. Using dental picks to locate and remove concealed parts 13. snaking the drain to the cleanout 14. taking the cap for the overflow completely off 15. replumbing the bathroom during renovations 16. Using penetrating oils like WD-40, PB Blaster, and Kroil 17. Applying heat with a MAPP torch 18. Cutting out the cap with a grinder, sawzall, or cold chisel 19. Pulling the toilet to snake the line instead of using the cleanout 20. Using channel locks on the inner piece 21. Searching for a set screw under the rubber seal 22. Using a dedicated cartridge puller tool screwed into the center rod 23. Applying light twisting motions back and forth while pulling 24. Drilling out the center rod and chipping pieces out 25. Using a heated flathead screwdriver to slice away at swollen plastic components 26. snaking hair out 27. using a pumice stone 28. applying Comet cleaner and polishing with a rag 29. Using a screwdriver 30. Using an allen key 31. Hitting it 32. Spraying WD40 behind the arm 33. Using a pipe wrench 34. buying a drain clearing plastic snake 35. using bleach to clean up hair dye stains 36. trying to remove the drain stopper or parts 37. Using channel lock pliers awkwardly 38. Wedging a 2x4 or 2x6 between the notches and turning it 39. Holding the chrome disc immobile while unscrewing the knob on top 40. Dropping the drain stopper into the drain so it locks, then unscrewing the knob counterclockwise 41. Using Drano 42. Running a snake through the overflow access instead of the main bottom drain 43. Applying penetrating oil to the threads 44. Using a drain-stop removal tool 45. Working it out slowly or applying force carefully 46. Opening the wall to fix or replace the twisted pipe 47. Using a hammer 48. Carefully cutting it out with a multi-tool, reciprocating saw, or Dremel 49. Using chemical drain cloggers 50. Trying to plunge the drain 51. Using a standard drain snake 52. Using a hand crank auger 53. Trying both the main tub drain and the overflow opening 54. Unscrewing the horizontal nut on the back of the drain pipe to pull out the pivot rod, then lifting the stopper straight out from inside the sink. 55. Using a finger to create a whirlpool so the water drains faster 56. Gripping the bottom with channel locks and twisting the grated part with pliers 57. Calling a plumber to replace the drain 58. Using a hair dryer to warm it up 59. Using a hammer and wrench jammed in 60. Using a Husky tub drain removal tool 61. Pounding on it with screwdrivers 62. Soaking with penetrating oil overnight 63. Chipping away calcified gunk with a pick 64. Clamping vice grips onto the crossbars with a breaker bar for leverage 65. Cutting it out carefully or with a sawzall blade 66. Unscrewing the retaining nut on the underside 67. Using a 1 inch hole saw 68. Using a heat gun on a low setting to soften it up enough to chip away with a screwdriver 69. Cut the remaining parts out with a Dremel and replace with a pop-up removable drain plug 70. Use a basic stopper 71. Use a tub drain extractor tool 72. Remove the assembly entirely and use a hair catcher 73. using a crescent wrench or channel lock pliers 74. adding heat or a torch 75. unscrewing the entire shower arm 76. calling a plumber 77. Buying a rubber plug on a chain from a local hardware store. 78. Pulling the cap from the drain up, adjusting the screw, and pushing it back in 79. Removing the stopper completely when using the shower so it drains great 80. Disassembling and cleaning out calcium buildup 81. using a heat gun to warm up and loosen the fitting 82. surgically cutting out the remaining threads with a multitool 83. tapping the wrench with a hammer to break the fitting free 84. Cleaning out surface hair weekly with an old toothbrush 85. Opening and closing the drain very rapidly by pushing down to seal in order to get it to drain 86. Using penetrating oils like PB Blaster 87. Applying leverage with pipe wrenches or cheater bars 88. Striking with hammers, chisels, or flathead screwdrivers 89. Drilling out or carefully cutting/sawing the plug in halves or quarters to preserve threads 90. Using two wrenches or channel locks simultaneously to counter-hold the fixed pipe and turn the collar 91. Using a strap wrench or a thick cloth to protect the finish from damage 92. Jammed the claw part of a hammer in and twisted 93. Using a specialized tool like the Golden Extractor tub drain tool 94. Using large channel locks, pipe wrenches, or water pump pliers 95. Applying WD-40 to loosen stuck nuts 96. Cutting through the nut or assembly with a hacksaw or oscillating tool 97. Replacing the entire basket strainer and tailpiece

How to get a stuck bathtub stopper cap off

Bathtub stopper caps often fail to twist off or reveal an accessible screw, trapping hair clogs underneath. Because the mechanism won't budge, people cannot clear out deep blockages or use tools like drain snakes effectively.

Overview

Last updated Oct 5, 2026

People affected42 accounts across 5 forums

Workarounds found97 items attempted

Community agreement144 total upvotes

What the numbers show

Counted from the threads quoted below. How we count

The most recent one is from October 2026.
This comes up 16.8× more often in r/Plumbing than across the site as a whole.

What people tried

Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.

97 items+ Contribute

Found another way around this?

Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.

1
Using channel lock pliers
2 people mentioned
Did this help you?
2
Using pliers or a wrench to grip the inner screw or stem
Did this help you?
3
Pulling up while twisting counterclockwise
Did this help you?
4
Using a thin pair of pliers under the cap to grip the stem
Did this help you?
5
Trying a zip tool or snake through the overflow access
Did this help you?
6
Using a flat edge screwdriver at the edge or inserting something skinny through the holes to pry it out.
Did this help you?
7
Replacing the entire stopper assembly
Did this help you?
8
Taking the part to a hardware store to match and replace the o-ring or gasket
Did this help you?
9
Buying a new Delta brand spout that fits onto the existing stuck adapter instead of removing it
Did this help you?
10
Cutting them off with a Sawzall
Did this help you?
11
Prying off the top cap to access a retaining screw
Did this help you?
12
Using dental picks to locate and remove concealed parts
Did this help you?
13
snaking the drain to the cleanout
Did this help you?
14
taking the cap for the overflow completely off
Did this help you?
15
replumbing the bathroom during renovations
Did this help you?
16
Using penetrating oils like WD-40, PB Blaster, and Kroil
Did this help you?
17
Applying heat with a MAPP torch
Did this help you?
18
Cutting out the cap with a grinder, sawzall, or cold chisel
Did this help you?
19
Pulling the toilet to snake the line instead of using the cleanout
Did this help you?
20
Using channel locks on the inner piece
Did this help you?
21
Searching for a set screw under the rubber seal
Did this help you?
22
Using a dedicated cartridge puller tool screwed into the center rod
Did this help you?
23
Applying light twisting motions back and forth while pulling
Did this help you?
24
Drilling out the center rod and chipping pieces out
Did this help you?
25
Using a heated flathead screwdriver to slice away at swollen plastic components
Did this help you?
26
snaking hair out
Did this help you?
27
using a pumice stone
Did this help you?
28
applying Comet cleaner and polishing with a rag
Did this help you?
29
Using a screwdriver
Did this help you?
30
Using an allen key
Did this help you?
31
Hitting it
Did this help you?
32
Spraying WD40 behind the arm
Did this help you?
33
Using a pipe wrench
Did this help you?
34
buying a drain clearing plastic snake
Did this help you?
35
using bleach to clean up hair dye stains
Did this help you?
36
trying to remove the drain stopper or parts
Did this help you?
37
Using channel lock pliers awkwardly
Did this help you?
38
Wedging a 2x4 or 2x6 between the notches and turning it
Did this help you?
39
Holding the chrome disc immobile while unscrewing the knob on top
Did this help you?
40
Dropping the drain stopper into the drain so it locks, then unscrewing the knob counterclockwise
Did this help you?
41
Using Drano
Did this help you?
42
Running a snake through the overflow access instead of the main bottom drain
Did this help you?
43
Applying penetrating oil to the threads
Did this help you?
44
Using a drain-stop removal tool
Did this help you?
45
Working it out slowly or applying force carefully
Did this help you?
46
Opening the wall to fix or replace the twisted pipe
Did this help you?
47
Using a hammer
Did this help you?
48
Carefully cutting it out with a multi-tool, reciprocating saw, or Dremel
Did this help you?
49
Using chemical drain cloggers
Did this help you?
50
Trying to plunge the drain
Did this help you?
51
Using a standard drain snake
Did this help you?
52
Using a hand crank auger
Did this help you?
53
Trying both the main tub drain and the overflow opening
Did this help you?
54
Unscrewing the horizontal nut on the back of the drain pipe to pull out the pivot rod, then lifting the stopper straight out from inside the sink.
Did this help you?
55
Using a finger to create a whirlpool so the water drains faster
Did this help you?
56
Gripping the bottom with channel locks and twisting the grated part with pliers
Did this help you?
57
Calling a plumber to replace the drain
Did this help you?
58
Using a hair dryer to warm it up
Did this help you?
59
Using a hammer and wrench jammed in
Did this help you?
60
Using a Husky tub drain removal tool
Did this help you?
61
Pounding on it with screwdrivers
Did this help you?
62
Soaking with penetrating oil overnight
Did this help you?
63
Chipping away calcified gunk with a pick
Did this help you?
64
Clamping vice grips onto the crossbars with a breaker bar for leverage
Did this help you?
65
Cutting it out carefully or with a sawzall blade
Did this help you?
66
Unscrewing the retaining nut on the underside
Did this help you?
67
Using a 1 inch hole saw
Did this help you?
68
Using a heat gun on a low setting to soften it up enough to chip away with a screwdriver
Did this help you?
69
Cut the remaining parts out with a Dremel and replace with a pop-up removable drain plug
Did this help you?
70
Use a basic stopper
Did this help you?
71
Use a tub drain extractor tool
Did this help you?
72
Remove the assembly entirely and use a hair catcher
Did this help you?
73
using a crescent wrench or channel lock pliers
Did this help you?
74
adding heat or a torch
Did this help you?
75
unscrewing the entire shower arm
Did this help you?
76
calling a plumber
Did this help you?
77
Buying a rubber plug on a chain from a local hardware store.
Did this help you?
78
Pulling the cap from the drain up, adjusting the screw, and pushing it back in
Did this help you?
79
Removing the stopper completely when using the shower so it drains great
Did this help you?
80
Disassembling and cleaning out calcium buildup
Did this help you?
81
using a heat gun to warm up and loosen the fitting
Did this help you?
82
surgically cutting out the remaining threads with a multitool
Did this help you?
83
tapping the wrench with a hammer to break the fitting free
Did this help you?
84
Cleaning out surface hair weekly with an old toothbrush
Did this help you?
85
Opening and closing the drain very rapidly by pushing down to seal in order to get it to drain
Did this help you?
86
Using penetrating oils like PB Blaster
Did this help you?
87
Applying leverage with pipe wrenches or cheater bars
Did this help you?
88
Striking with hammers, chisels, or flathead screwdrivers
Did this help you?
89
Drilling out or carefully cutting/sawing the plug in halves or quarters to preserve threads
Did this help you?
90
Using two wrenches or channel locks simultaneously to counter-hold the fixed pipe and turn the collar
Did this help you?
91
Using a strap wrench or a thick cloth to protect the finish from damage
Did this help you?
92
Jammed the claw part of a hammer in and twisted
Did this help you?
93
Using a specialized tool like the Golden Extractor tub drain tool
Did this help you?
94
Using large channel locks, pipe wrenches, or water pump pliers
Did this help you?
95
Applying WD-40 to loosen stuck nuts
Did this help you?
96
Cutting through the nut or assembly with a hacksaw or oscillating tool
Did this help you?
97
Replacing the entire basket strainer and tailpiece
Did this help you?

Tried another approach not listed above?+ Share your workaround ↑

In their words

Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.

r/Plumbing35 people · September 2026 – October 2026

“i am having a hell of a time trying to get the cap off so I can snake this...”source ↗

“Hard to get any sort of leverage with any sized tool.”source ↗

“Thinking about trying my mapp torch but other than that, im out of ideas...”source ↗

TruthSeekingTactics · r/Plumbing · 32 upvotes

“I'm stuck, don't want to damage the pipe but can't get this thing off.”source ↗

Significant_Fun_774 · r/Plumbing · 27 upvotes

“I cannot get a drain snake down any further because an elbow prevents it from going further.”source ↗

“I have used tools like an adjustable wrench, pipe wrench, vice grips and even ordered a square plugged socket set that go on a ratchet.”source ↗

“I have sprayed pb blaster around the outer edge and the thing will not budge.”source ↗

Salt-Pomegranate1273 · r/Plumbing · 19 upvotes

“I want to try to remove the drain cover but I can't move it at all. I've tried using a screwdriver and an allen key to get underneath and pry it up but it won't budge”source ↗

Blobfish19818 · r/Plumbing · 6 upvotes

“How do I remove this tub stopper? I have to clear a hair clog but I cannot get this stopper out!!!”source ↗

FantasticFan3559 · r/Plumbing · 2 upvotes

“Need some advice on what to do to get this shower cartridge out. I removed the U clip, I PB blasted the inside and I’ve placed a screw for leverage but it isn’t budging.”source ↗

Strict-Revolution-55 · r/Plumbing · 2 upvotes

“This 3 inch legend drain cap is stuck and have had no luck loosening it. Is there a tool to end this frustration?”source ↗

furrybush69 · r/Plumbing · 2 upvotes

“I'm dealing with a squealing shower valve and I'm not sure how to remove the cartridge.”source ↗

“I've removed the handle and the center mounted philips screw, but it seems to be pretty stuck in there.”source ↗

Max_Downforce · r/Plumbing · 2 upvotes

“Hi, my sinker stop fell in and no longer goes up and down with the pulley. I can’t seem to find the system my sink has online. Does anyone know how to fix it works or how to remove it.”source ↗

styleboyz69 · r/Plumbing · 2 upvotes

“I've tried hair dryer to warm it up, hammer/wrench jammed in, Husky tub drain removal tool, two screwdrivers, pounding on it... any other suggestions?”source ↗

VeggiePen_15 · r/Plumbing · 2 upvotes

“Kitchen sink. I’ve got a leak coming from here. I have replacement gaskets but I can’t get this washer off. Any advice?”source ↗

GreenBeginning3753 · r/Plumbing · 2 upvotes

“The cap is not twisting off. I thought it might, and then there might be a screw situation, but the cap doesn't move.”source ↗

FantasticFan3559 · r/Plumbing · 1 upvotes

“I tried a drain weasel and pulled out as much hair as I could. This is a basement bathroom, I don't know if that makes a difference. I am pretty good at clearing drains of hair, I just can't get this stopper off and it's so frustrating!”source ↗

FantasticFan3559 · r/Plumbing · 1 upvotes

“And I noticed some hair poking out of the drain after my shower so I was pulling on it and then the band snapped off 😔”source ↗

Desperate_Grape_7845 · r/Plumbing · 1 upvotes

“I am currently trying to replace my bathtub spout with another one, the old one broke.”source ↗

“I was able to remove the old spout from the tub but I am unable to remove this old adapter.”source ↗

“I was able to unscrew the set screw but the adapter won't budge.”source ↗

Ok_Serve_8198 · r/Plumbing · 1 upvotes

“I have a whirlpool jacuzzi bath and cannot for the life of me figure out how to remove these knobs.”source ↗

jessekarb · r/Plumbing · 1 upvotes

“I need help and googling/youtube somehow hasn't turned up much help. The tub in one of my bathrooms drains insanely slow, it'll fill up even without the plug in.”source ↗

“I have no idea what to do to fix it, any suggestions are welcome.”source ↗

ajb102 · r/Plumbing · 1 upvotes

“Yours looks like the center rod is destroyed. You are looking at drilling it out and chipping pieces out.”source ↗

MaintenanceHot3241 · r/Plumbing · 1 upvotes

“I've been trying to unscrew my bathtub drain to clean, but I'm not sure how. From the way it looks, it seems like the type that would unscrew from the top knob, but if it is, it's really stuck on. I don't see a screw to loosen the drain from inside.”source ↗

“And here's a video of the inside. I don't see a screw for which to unscrew it from there.”source ↗

DJdiamond360 · r/Plumbing · 1 upvotes

“The bathtub drain appears to have some kind of plastic pipe with a rectangle opening at the bottom that the water exits. It doesn't seem possible to run a small snake through it.”source ↗

“I tried running the snake through the opening in the tub wall but it's not apparently not long enough.”source ↗

“Drano was used 10 minutes ago.”source ↗

ExplorerNo7262 · r/Plumbing · 1 upvotes

“How do I remove this leaky tub stop? I ended up snapping the one off in the other bathroom.”source ↗

PNWspicyboy · r/Plumbing · 1 upvotes

“if you can’t get it with your fingers try a small pair of pliers. If there’s too much resistance then you need some penetrating oil.”source ↗

HeatBeatRepeatt · r/Plumbing · 1 upvotes

“If it won’t budge, a drain-stop removal tool can grab the inside without damaging the tub.”source ↗

WinterProfession7891 · r/Plumbing · 1 upvotes

“Does the part in the photos slide off? I've tried pulling on it, but it's not budging.”source ↗

Max_Downforce · r/Plumbing · 1 upvotes

“It spins, but won’t come out.”source ↗

BeginningDoor2159 · r/Plumbing · 1 upvotes

“Could you all please share any tips or tricks for unclogging a shower drain with a hand crank auger? My fiance and I are desperate for a solution and maintenance isn't always reliable..”source ↗

“We used the bleach free drain clogger days ago and that didn't work, tried a snake, tried plunging, and now we have moved onto the auger. There is still standing water.”source ↗

“We are also running into an issue where when we try to put it down the tub drain itself (rather than the overflow, because online said to try both if one doesn't work) that the auger then comes out of the overflow- as in, it comes back out the top part!!”source ↗

Ill-Valuable1241 · r/Plumbing · 1 upvotes

“This is the drain in my bathroom sink. The grates don’t allow enough water through. The water creates a seal over all of the grate holes and it just backs up.”source ↗

“I tried gripping the bottom with a channel lock and twisting the grated part with pliers and many other random tools to get it to unscrew but no luck.”source ↗

dirkydirk41 · r/Plumbing · 1 upvotes

“I threw a lot of different tools at it trying to get it loose. The position is just terrible. Can’t seem to get a good grip on it.”source ↗

dirkydirk41 · r/Plumbing · 1 upvotes

“I've had to do this twice and both times the thing that finally worked was a pair of vice grips clamped onto the crossbars with a breaker bar slipped over the handle for leverage.”source ↗

Away-Assignment-2842 · r/Plumbing · 1 upvotes

“Looks like youre missing about 36% of the drain”source ↗

BaguetteCollector · r/Plumbing · 1 upvotes

“Its broken. At this point, just take it all out and drop in a hair catch”source ↗

Over_Activity_1112 · r/Plumbing · 1 upvotes

“Tried everything and nothing will do”source ↗

Efficient-Tale-9396 · r/Plumbing · 1 upvotes

“Hello! Im trying to figure out what kind of plug would work on this bathtub drain? The original was some metal one and I’ve tried rubber stoppers and those don’t hold 💔”source ↗

Blckberrylemon · r/Plumbing · 1 upvotes

“So the stopper goes up and down like it did when it was new . It barely moves. I’m guessing , but it had probably 4 times more travel up and down .”source ↗

pluary · r/Plumbing · 1 upvotes

“Yes I have pulled the stopper and adjusted it so it drains and holds water. It is just very slow when draining this way . We now pull it out completely and it drains great .”source ↗

pluary · r/Plumbing · 1 upvotes

“I've tried prying up, twisting, and getting underneath but havent had any success. Is there a special/secret way for these that I dont know about?”source ↗

“Unsure of the exact plug as its sadly unbranded from where my eyes can see.”source ↗

wispina · r/Plumbing · 1 upvotes

“If still no luck, get a screwdriver and hammer near the outer edge to make a dent, or use a Dremel to cut a small hole/dent.”source ↗

miamicuse · r/Plumbing · 1 upvotes

“I'm trying to replace this tub drain and I can't seem to remove it. All of the drain extractors I've seen seem to be too small and the replacement drains at stores state that they are for a 1.5 inch drain and this one has a 2 inch opening.”source ↗

“The cross arms in the middle were also disintegrated so that isn't an option.”source ↗

FreshHomeOwner · r/Plumbing · 1 upvotes

“Happens to me often enough. The thin threads on the basket strainer develop pinholes, which usually lead to a replacement shortly after the nut deteriorated and splits - just as yours has.”source ↗

megasmash · r/Plumbing · 1 upvotes

“I think you’re right. I got the tail pice off and this piece of metal plopped off it.”source ↗

GreenBeginning3753 · r/Plumbing · 1 upvotes

“This rubber band ripped off my drain, how do I fix this? I would be eternally grateful for help 🙏”source ↗

Desperate_Grape_7845 · r/Plumbing

“It had probably 4 times the travel up and down than it does now. How do I fix the lack of travel ?”source ↗

pluary · r/Plumbing

“I am trying to replace my drain in my (fiberglass? Feels like it) tub and I bought the drain tool and a large monkey wrench, and at 70-80% strength the top part plus caulking broke off leaving just the threads inside.”source ↗

“I'm seeing so much "flexing" (not sure how else to describe it, I can turn the wrench about 1/4" but it just snaps back if I release) that I'm afraid it will break the fiberglass tub.”source ↗

“I want to attach a longer pipe to my monkey wrench and send my full strength, is there a possibility that the tub will break along with the drain?”source ↗

zijin_cheng · r/Plumbing

r/HomeImprovement1 person · September 2026

“I have an older and stubborn shower arm in my new home I'm trying to remove.”source ↗

“I've gone at it with channel lock pliers and it won't budge.”source ↗

brandmcb · r/HomeImprovement · 9 upvotes

r/CleaningTips1 person · September 2026

“I fricked my shower up and I need to fix it before my dad notices”source ↗

“I need to know what the best thing to buy for unclogging the drain.”source ↗

“I have never unclogged a drain.”source ↗

dove-spurs · r/CleaningTips · 4 upvotes

“No plunger idk why we don't have one but I will try the plastic snake”source ↗

dove-spurs · r/CleaningTips · 1 upvotes

r/homeowners1 person · September 2026

“I know they have hard water, and it's an older home. Other than that info, I am ignorant as to what caused this rock hard build-up.”source ↗

generichumancontent · r/homeowners · 2 upvotes

r/HomeMaintenance4 people · September 2026 – October 2026

“I need to unclog this bath and remove the drain to do so.”source ↗

“I’ve tried to twist the square fitted bolt looking thing with channel locks and a wrench that fits, it doesn’t want to budge.”source ↗

mander2277 · r/HomeMaintenance · 1 upvotes

“Hello! I have a clog starting to form in my shower floor. What’s the best way to get the cap off to address the clog?”source ↗

andobodando · r/HomeMaintenance

“Ekopel 2K sealed my drain shut, is there anything I can do to remove it????”source ↗

“Upon returning, I discovered to my horror that the Ekopel leaked and completely covered the drain, and is now as hard as concrete. I have absolutely no idea what to do or if there is any way to break/remove it at this point.”source ↗

shmeedledee · r/HomeMaintenance

“I’m trying to swap my shower head and the old one will mot budge. I tried a crescent wrench, but it won’t even grip the plastic.”source ↗

egp2117 · r/HomeMaintenance