Bathtub Drain Replacement Costs

By Sandy Hess

December 12, 2025

Your bathtub drain may not seem important until it stops functioning properly. A worn stopper might prevent the tub from holding water, or a corroded drain might cause leaks. Either way, you likely need a new drain. The average bathtub drain replacement cost ranges anywhere from $328 to $397 (CAD 452 to CAD 547) for parts and labor, according to pricing data from Porch.

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The average bathtub drain replacement cost ranges anywhere from $328 to $397 (CAD 452 to CAD 547) for parts and labor, according to pricing data from Porch.

Can You Change or Replace the Drain in a Bathtub?

A bathtub drain is a plumbing mechanism that attaches your tub or shower to your home’s main drain lines. It serves two main purposes:

Removes wastewater from tub and shower
Prevents water overflows

Normal wear and tear or damage to the drain system may require a tub or shower drain replacement. Fortunately, replacing a bathtub drain is a standard repair that any experienced plumber can handle.

When Might You Want (or Need) to Replace a Bathtub Drain?

There are numerous signs you might need to replace your bathtub drain, such as:

Damage to bathtub drain, including chips, cracks, rust and corrosion
Water leaks under tub or shower
Slow drain, even after clearing pipes
Stopper no longer holds water in tub

If you have an older home with copper or cast-iron drains, you may want to consider replacing them sooner rather than later. These types of pipes are more susceptible to rust and corrosion.

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How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Bathtub Drain on Average?

Research shows that the average bathtub drain replacement costs range from $328 to $397 (CAD 452 to CAD 547). These fees include the cost of materials, about $86 to $106 (CAD 118 to CAD 146), and labor costs of $242 to $291 (CAD 333 to CAD 401).

Several factors impact these costs, such as your location and the type of bathtub drain you need to install. If there’s any damage to your home’s main draining system, drain repair costs can increase.

Bathroom drain installation cost may be significantly higher. For example, if the plumber must run additional pipes from the main draining system to the bathroom, you can expect higher labor and material costs.

If you have experience making plumbing repairs, you may be able to save money by making these bathtub drain repairs yourself.

However, be sure you know how to use the necessary plumbing tools correctly and understand drain assembly for a tub or shower. Otherwise, you could cause more damage, resulting in higher repair costs.

What Is the Process for Replacing a Tub Drain?

If your tub’s stopper isn’t working, you find yourself standing in an inch of water every time you take a shower or your shower drain is made from copper or cast iron, now is the time to replace your bathtub drain.

Unless you have plenty of plumbing experience, it’s important to call in a professional to get the job done right. However, replacing a bathtub drain is a simple repair if you know what to do.

First, you need to gather the correct plumbing tools, including a tub wrench or tub drain extractor tool, screwdriver, pliers, plumbing putty and a new drain. Be sure to purchase the right type of bathtub drain to match your specific bathtub or shower’s drainage system.

Now, it’s time to remove the older or damaged bathtub drain, including the stopper and overflow plate. If you own an older home, it may require some extra work to safely remove the old drain.

If necessary, you may need to also replace the gaskets. Most shower drain kits come with new gaskets, so you may want to consider changing them even if they appear in good condition.

Once the old drain is removed, the new bathtub drain can be installed. Plumbing putty helps create a seal to prevent leaks and allows water to drain out of your tub properly.

All CAD conversions are based on the exchange rate on the date of publication.

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