
How to Repair the Trip Lever in a Tub Drain
- 1.. Unscrew the cover plate from the front of the bathtub, using a screwdriver. It's usually held on by two...
- 2.. Pull the lever out, then lift it straight upward to remove the linage from behind the tub. On the end will be a...
- 3.. Excavate for the plug or the spring with a magnetic retrieval tool, if necessary. If you don't...
How to repair the trip lever in a tub drain?
How to fix a trip lever drain stopper
- Remove the overflow cover plate and stopper Back out the mounting screws that hold the overflow cover plate onto the overflow tube. ...
- Inspect and clean the plunger Clean off the plunger; debris or corrosion may be preventing it from moving smoothly in the overflow tube. ...
- Adjust the linkage If necessary, adjust the linkage to lengthen the connecting rod. ...
How do you replace a tub drain plug?
Replacing Bath Tub Drain
- Choose Your Tools. Items needed to remove and replace a modern screw in bath tub drain (not all drains are like this). ...
- Remove the Old Drain. Insert the Drain Key into the drain. ...
- Clean the Seating Area and Apply Fresh Plumbers Putty. ...
- Insert the New Drain. ...
- Remove Excess Putty and Install the Drain Plug. ...
- Test Out Your Finished Repair. ...
How do you change a bathtub drain?
- Move the rotating dial to the open setting.
- Gently remove the stopper from the drain opening and use wiggling movements to remove the whole arm linkage from the same opening.
- Wipe off any grime from the pop – up stopper and rocker arm. ...
- Restore some shine by polishing the stopper with commercial chrome polish. ...
How to stop a bathtub drain from leaking?
Things You Will Need
- Drain-removal tool or pliers and screwdriver
- Replacement drain, if needed
- Putty knife
- Stiff brush
- Plumber's putty
- Rag

How do you fix a trip lever drain stopper?
How to fix a trip lever drain stopperRemove the overflow cover plate and stopper. Back out the mounting screws that hold the overflow cover plate onto the overflow tube. ... Inspect and clean the plunger. ... Adjust the linkage. ... Reassemble the stopper.
How do you fix a bathtub drain that won't stay open?
Clean off both the plug and link with a toothbrush to clear away any built up sediment or calcium deposits that could be jamming them and preventing them from plugging the drain properly. Inspect the link connecting the plug to the overflow plate and replace this link assembly if needed.
How do you replace a bathtub lever?
0:001:51Bath tub trip lever/ bath tub stopper replacement or adjustnment.YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWorks real hard and the deposits. And the finish is all pitted from the hard water. So to remove itMoreWorks real hard and the deposits. And the finish is all pitted from the hard water. So to remove it we're first going to take our Phillips or flat screwdriver whichever screws needs to remove. Them.
How does a bathtub trip lever work?
0:3511:57How To Adjust Bath Tub Drain - Trip Lever Drain - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipRight here this is the trip lever waste and overflow the whole mechanism is called that and this isMoreRight here this is the trip lever waste and overflow the whole mechanism is called that and this is the trip lever plate. And in the up position it's supposed to hold the water. If we turn the tub on
How do you replace a lift-and-turn stopper?
0:512:14Removing a lift-&-turn stopper (1-step) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut basically you'd grip it underneath that top part and just grip it tight turn it once he getsMoreBut basically you'd grip it underneath that top part and just grip it tight turn it once he gets loose. Enough. Just keep turning. And it comes out.
How does a lift-and-turn stopper work?
A lift-and-turn drain stopper has a small knob on the cap, which is used to twist the stopper open and closed. It's closed by turning the knob until it goes down, and it's opened by lifting and turning the knob in the opposite direction.
What are the different types of bathtub drain stoppers?
The six most common types of bathtub drain stoppers are push-and-pull, pop-up, lift-and-turn, flip-it, toe-touch, and trip lever. It does not matter what type you have unless it must be fixed or replaced. The sole purpose of a bathtub stopper is to keep the water in the tub while you soak.
Should bathtub lever be up or down to drain?
(continued) Page 2 the pop-up should seat itself and plug the drain opening; when the trip lever is down, the plug should be pushed up so the tub will drain. The drain line itself will generally have a trap that prevents the sewer gases from leaking into the bathroom.
How does a bathtub overflow plate work?
The water that enters the overflow hole, goes down a pipe which is connected to the tub floor drain. With a well-functioning overflow drain, excess water will flow out the overflow hole, through the pipe and into the drain so as not to cause any damage to your bathroom or anything under or around the tub.
How does a foot lock drain work?
Basics. A foot lock bathtub drain performs the function that its name describes, locking under pressure from a foot. If your bathtub or shower has this type of drain, stepping down on the stopper locks it in place, preventing water from draining.
How Trip-Lever Drain Stoppers Work
First, it's important to understand something about how this style of bathtub drain stopper works.
How to Fix a Lift-Bucket Drain Stopper
A trip-lever drain stopper that uses a lift-bucket plunger can be identified by the absence of a pop-up stopper in the drain opening. When problems occur with this type of drain, it is for one of two reasons:
How to Fix a Pop-Up Drain Stopper
A trip-lever drain that operates a pop-up stopper uses a slightly different mechanism. Rather than a lift-bucket plunger that seals a drain opening at the bottom of the overflow tube, there is a spring at the end of the connecting rod.
Types of Bathtub Drains
Foot Lock: A drain that's pushed down with the foot to change the setting
How to Fix Foot Lock and Rollerball Tub Drains
Bathtub drain replacement should be an easy fix if you're fortunate enough to have one of these types of drains. To remove the plug from a foot lock or rollerball tub drain, simply rotate the plug counterclockwise until it's free of the drain. Clean the plug with a mild cleaning solution or vinegar and reinstall.
How to Fix a Pop-Up Bathtub Drain
These drains have moving parts that may need cleaning and lubrication.
How to Fix a Plunger Bathtub Drain
Like pop-up drains, plunger tub drains have moving parts that may need attention.
How to remove a cover plate from a tub?
Use a screwdriver to remove the cover plate and place the screws to the side. Pull out the linkage from the inside of the tub and set it to the side.
What is a plunger in a drain?
Usually, the plunger is a spring that pushes down on the arm to push the stopper into an open position. When you move the trip lever to a closed position, gravity drops the stopper down and seals the drain.
How to remove a liftbucket?
Set it to the side with the screws, so you don’t lose them. If you have a lift-bucket system, carefully remove the vertical connecting rod and the plunger through the opening.
What causes a trip lever to stick?
What Could Cause a Faulty Trip Lever? Various things can cause a faulty trip lever or make your trip lever stick. In a lift-bucket system, sometimes the plunger can get caught in the overflow tube. When this happens , the plunger can’t move freely, so it won’t go up and down correctly.
How does a pop up drain work?
Pop-up drains use a horizontal rocker arm. The trip lever controls the arm, which works a pop-up plug that fits into the drain opening. Therefore, the plunger in this situation connects to the horizontal rocker arm. Usually, the plunger is a spring that pushes down on the arm to push the stopper into an open position.
Can you see the trip lever on a bath tub?
However, to see the trip lever itself, you would have to remove the plate that hides it. Since you can’t see the trip lever, you need to rely on how water behaves in the tub. You might also notice an issue if the toggle switch feels loose or won’t go up or down all of the way.
Do you need a new drain stopper for a trip lever?
However, you might only need to get a new stopper, which doesn’t have to be too difficult.
What is a trip lever in a bathtub?
A trip lever drain is a type of mechanism that is found in many bathtub designs. Essentially, the trip lever works as part of an apparatus that allows the stopper to be opened or closed, making it possible to retain water in the tub or release the water into the drain. It is sometimes referred to as a “lift-bucket” style.
What happens if you drain a tub after a repair?
If you’re still having problems with your tub draining after the repair, the issue could be either that you’re using the wrong parts (if purchased new ) or there’s simply too much wear and tear on the original components to be fixed. If the problem persists or is part of a more complex plumbing issue, Anew offers an easy, efficient and affordable repair service for just $20
What is the plunger on a tub?
The plunger sits over the drain opening tee to seal off the tub drain. With the trip lever down, the plunger is lifted and the drain is open; when the trip lever is up, the plunger is forced down and the drain is closed.
How to open a drain stopper?
To open or close it, simply push down the stopper with your toe. Flip-it. These simple O-ring stoppers are easy to use, as you choose the one that creates the tightest seal in the drain body and insert the stopper. All you need to do is to move the toggle lever from side to side to open or close it. Pop-up.
What happens if you overfill a tub?
And if the tub is accidentally overfilled, excess water can still run down the overflow tube behind the trip-lever plate and can drain away because the plunger is hollow. Less common types utilize a rocker arm to raise or lower the stopper in the tub’s drain opening.