A shower drain with the cover removed. Note that this would be considered an “outdated” style of shower; it has no built-in diverter valve or floor waste, and instead uses an external diverter valve (and separate flange) to direct water coming from the shower head into the drain.
A close-up of the removed shower drain grout that was covering a set screw on top of the shower drain cover, preventing it from being unscrewed.
How to remove shower drain cover that is grouted in
1. Remove the drain cover/grout in with a chisel and hammer, or with an abrasive cutting wheel on a rotary tool. Wear protective eyewear, long sleeves, gloves, and hearing protection when using an abrasive cutting wheel to avoid injury if the shower cover breaks apart. An abrasive cutting wheel will make quick work of grout that is softer, but can cause problems if the grout is extremely hard or set.
2. Once the cover/grout has been removed, clean any remaining grout residue off of the drain body with a brush and take care not to damage any parts (such as O-rings).
3. Replace all parts removed during the process; check that the drain body is not damaged (such as cracks).
4. Reattach the cover and tighten it by hand or with a wrench, then use plumber’s putty to seal any gaps between the drain cover and drain body.
5. If you do not feel confident enough in your plumbing abilities, contact a plumber to remove the cover/grout and reattach, test for leaks, and apply putty.
Other tips on how to remove shower drain cover that is grouted in
– Remove as much grout as possible with a chisel and hammer before using an abrasive cutting wheel.
– Wear protective eyewear, long sleeves, gloves, and hearing protection when using an abrasive cutting wheel to avoid injury if the shower cover breaks apart. An abrasive cutting wheel will make quick work of grout that is softer, but can cause problems if the grout is extremely hard or set.
– If the shower drain cover breaks apart and you cannot remove all of the pieces with a chisel and hammer, use an abrasive cutting wheel to finish removing it. Always wear protective eyewear, long sleeves, gloves, and hearing protection when using an abrasive cutting wheel to avoid injury.
– The shower drain cover may break apart when removing it if the grout or set screw is extremely hard or rusted; use an abrasive cutting wheel to remove grout around the cover and then chisel pieces of the cover off, using a small metal chisel and hammer for best results.
– The shower drain cover may also break apart if the set screw is extremely rusted and cannot be unscrewed; use an abrasive cutting wheel to remove grout around the cover and then chisel pieces of the cover off, using a small metal chisel and hammer for best results.
– The removal process will take longer than expected if O-rings and other parts need to be removed; take care not to damage any parts when removing them.
– The replacement process will take longer than expected if O-rings and other parts need to be replaced; check that all parts are in good condition before reattaching, such as cracks or damage to the drain body.
– If you do not feel confident enough in your plumbing abilities, contact a plumber to remove the cover/grout and reattach, test for leaks, and apply putty.
Conclusion
Your shower drain cover is an important part of your bathroom’s drainage system that keeps your shower running smoothly, but what do you do if it becomes clogged or damaged? Don’t worry; replacing or repairing it is easier than you might think. Also, a proper care, cleaning, and maintenance of a shower-drain body will help prevent damage from debris. It will also prolong the life of a tub or tile surround.
