Repairing Guides

how to repair bathtub drain stopper

by Ms. Pat Huel Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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How to Fix a Pop-Up Drain Stopper

  • Remove the Cover Plate and Plunger Back out the mounting screws that hold the overflow cover plate onto the overflow tube. ...
  • Clean the Spring Clean away any debris on the spring at the end of the stopper linkage. ...
  • Adjust the Connecting Rod If necessary, adjust the connecting rod to lengthen it. ...
  • Reassemble the Stopper Insert the stopper linkage back down through the overflow opening and attach the cover plate to the overflow tube. ...

Full Answer

How do I change a tub drain stopper?

Replacing Bath Tub Drain

  1. Choose Your Tools. Items needed to remove and replace a modern screw in bath tub drain (not all drains are like this). ...
  2. Remove the Old Drain. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device. ...
  3. Clean the Seating Area and Apply Fresh Plumbers Putty. ...
  4. Insert the New Drain. ...
  5. Remove Excess Putty and Install the Drain Plug. ...

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How to unclog a bathtub drain?

And that‘s not just the tub itself, but the drain that can get clogged up with hair and soap scum, plus the jets if yours is a hydrotherapy tub. A tub that’s sparkling clean also makes the room look its best and ensures it’s a space in which you ...

How to plug a bathtub without a stopper?

  • 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. ...

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How to fix a bathtub drain stopper this old house?

Why Is Your Bathtub Not Draining?

  • Clogged Hair And Soap Residue. The most common reason that won’t let your bathtub drain is hair and soap scum clogging the pipeline.
  • Faulty Built-In Drain Stopper. ...
  • Hard Water Build-Up In Bathtub Drains. ...
  • Dirt And Grease Deposits. ...
  • Blocked Outside Drain Pipes. ...

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How do you fix a bathtub stopper?

0:292:35How to Fix a Bathtub Drain Stopper | This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo inside of them. There's always an adjustment. Possible. So you'll notice that there is a threadedMoreSo inside of them. There's always an adjustment. Possible. So you'll notice that there is a threaded rod right there two lock nuts.

How do you fix a pop up bathtub drain stopper?

0:221:35How to Repair a Pop-Up Tub Drain Stopper - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAre different sizes. Make sure you take it with you to match it up get yourself a new one reinstallMoreAre different sizes. Make sure you take it with you to match it up get yourself a new one reinstall that use your screwdriver to tighten it into place reinstall the top cap.

Can a tub stopper be replaced?

Buy a new lift-and-turn stopper to replace your old lever-style drain. When the stopper in your lever-style bathtub drain won't pop up anymore because the linkage is damaged or clogged, replace it with a much simpler lift-and-turn style tub drain.

How do you replace a bathtub drain flange?

6:1011:39Replacing a Tub Drain: Bathtub Drain Removal and ReplacementYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTightening always start the drain off hand tight to ensure it isn't being cross threaded snug up theMoreTightening always start the drain off hand tight to ensure it isn't being cross threaded snug up the drain with a wrench clean up the plumber's putty and then reinstall.

How do you fix a push plug?

2:064:10How Do I Fix a Stuck Push Down Sink Plug | 4 Ways To Free Pop Up PlugYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd around this stopper like this all you got to do is push it down in behind like that it's notMoreAnd around this stopper like this all you got to do is push it down in behind like that it's not going to be easy. But with persistence you'll get it. And then once you get the floss in and around.

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.

How do you replace a bathtub plug and chain?

0:371:51How to change a sink plug and chain - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTwist it ever so slightly hook it through onto the chain. And then close it back up like so that'sMoreTwist it ever so slightly hook it through onto the chain. And then close it back up like so that's the plug attached to the chain.

What is a bathtub drain flange?

A bathtub drain flange is the finished drain part that's visible in the tub. Some manufacturers refer to the drain flange as a "drain body" or "drain basket". Drain flanges come in many different finishes and have a variety of stopper options for filling the tub.

What is a tub flange?

The flange is meant to collect moisture, which gravity draws down the wall, and prevent it from ending up in the wall cavity. A properly built enclosure will have a moisture barrier or roofing felt or plastic sheeting drape over this flange before the wall material is installed.

How do I remove a lift and turn drain stopper?

0:351:49How to remove a lift and turn stopper - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWell try not to loosen the the top of it. But as you rotate counterclockwise the stopper itself willMoreWell try not to loosen the the top of it. But as you rotate counterclockwise the stopper itself will loosen from its base as you'll see here.

How do you put a pop up drain back together?

1:393:31How to Install a Pop-Up Drain in a Bathroom Sink | Repair and ReplaceYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPush the drain collar down into the hole any excess putty will be pushed out and can be easilyMorePush the drain collar down into the hole any excess putty will be pushed out and can be easily removed after the rest of the drain is installed slide the rubber gasket onto the shaft.

Why won't my pop up plug stay down?

If the stopper moves as it should but doesn't stay put, all you need to do is tighten the nut (turn it clockwise). If the action is too stiff, loosen the nut a little. Check the action and adjust until it feels about right.

How do you take apart a pop up bathtub drain?

0:061:38How to Remove any Bathtub Stopper, Pop-up, Grate, or Plug - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt it'll sometimes be a set screw right here you'll take your screwdriver loosen that screw. AndMoreIt it'll sometimes be a set screw right here you'll take your screwdriver loosen that screw. And then this part will separate from the metal bar. And you just unscrew that metal bar.

How does a bathtub trip lever work?

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. 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.

How to lower a stopper on a tub?

To lower the stopper, thread the bottom lock nut down. Next, spin the adaptor that the plunger hangs from down until it reaches the bottom lock nut, and then tighten the upper locknut to the adaptor. Place the plunger, threaded rod, and trip lever back into the hole in the tub and screw the plate back into place.

How long does it take for a bathtub to drain?

10 to 20 minutes. Bathtub drain assemblies are mysterious things. Somehow, a lever placed well above the bottom of the tub controls whether the water stays in the tub when it’s wanted, and then allows it to drain when bath time is over. When a tub won’t hold water, the two potential causes are easily repaired.

What is a tub drain?

Bathtub drains consist of a visible trip lever, a plunger that seats in the drain to stop water, and two pieces of threaded rod which connect the lever and plunger. The assemblies are adjustable to fit a wide range of tubs. The first step is to unscrew the plate that holds the trip lever.

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.

In This Article

Soaking in a hot, relaxing bubble bath is the perfect way to wrap up your day — unless that water slowly drains out due to a damaged bathtub drain stopper. Whether it doesn't hold water well or won't move at all, your drain stopper can make bath time a hassle.

Fixing a Trip Lever With Plunger

If your tub has a trip lever, you'll see the lever on the overflow plate, which is on the vertical portion on the front of the tub near the faucet. You can flip it up or down to open or close the drain. The type with a plunger, also called a lift bucket stopper, doesn't have a visible stopper that you can see in the drain.

Fixing a Trip Lever With Rocker

This type of bathtub drain stopper also uses a trip lever on the overflow plate to open and close the drain. The difference is that you can see the stopper in the tub drain, and it moves up and down, which is why it's often called a pop-up stopper. A spring-loaded rocker arm extending through the waste pipe connects the trip lever and the stopper.

Fixing Stoppers Without a Linkage Assembly

The other broad category of bathtub drain stoppers includes styles that don't have a linkage assembly in the overflow drain. They're attached to the drain itself and are controlled at the stopper rather than with a trip lever. These stoppers sometimes have setscrews to hold them in place.

How a Pop-Up Stopper Works

Pop-ups are simple mechanical devices that use a system of links and levers to move a drain stoppers up and down to seal a sink bowl or bathtub.

How to Remove a Bathtub Pop-Up Drain Stopper

It’s easy to remove a tub stopper to check it for mechanical problems or blockage. You’ll encounter a couple of different types of bathtub pop-ups: old-style mechanisms like the one shown in our illustration above, and newer spring-loaded pop-ups.

How to Fix a Sink Pop-Up Drain Stopper

Water may leak or refuse to drain around a sink pop-up for a number of reasons. If your sink pop-up won’t pop up or seat properly, fixing it is quite easy—usually just a matter of adjusting a few parts. The culprit is often a buildup of hair around the base of the stopper or the pivot rod mechanism.

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