What Is a Master Extractor Drain?

Why Use a Master Extractor

• Extracting a drain with a ratchet and wrench can take hours. It is a time-consuming and difficult task that can also be quite smelly due to fumes rising up from the septic tank. Using a screwdriver and hammer can also damage the extracted drain and the plumbing it is connected to, necessitating the costly replacement of any pipe underneath the floor.

How It Works

• A master extractor kit is usually equipped with different sized drain extractors so that it may be used on any drain. The extractor bit, which is attached to a drill, can drill through broken bolts, screws, etc., to twist the drain upward and out.

Different Bits

• The common master extractor kit is equipped with a variety of different extractors and drilling bits. Some of these include drilling tips that have the ability to go through broken bolts or screws, unscrewing tips that have the ability to remove broken screws and several different extractor bits that may or may not be fitted with drilling tips.

Extracting a Drain

• Before extracting a drain, clean the area to provide a sanitary working environment. If possible, remove the drain cap or the part placed on top that is used to catch sediment and solids. This part is commonly attached with a screw and should be removable with a drill or screwdriver. Should the screw be broken, use a master extractor to remove the screw. After removing the cap it will be necessary to determine any breakage or damage that the drain might have suffered. If damage is present it will interfere with the extractor bit and should be drilled out. Find the appropriate sized extractor bit. You can do this either by measuring the drain pipe or by trying out different bits until one is found that matches. Drill the extractor bit into the pipe, and then reverse it to remove the drain.