how to repair the trip lever in a tub drain

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 easy-to-remove screws.
• 2. Pull the lever out, then lift it straight upward to remove the linage from behind the tub. On the end will be a weighted plug or a spring, ...
• 3. Excavate for the plug or the spring with a magnetic retrieval tool, if necessary. If you don't have such a tool, tape a magnet to the end of a ...
• 4. Check other connections on the linkage to ensure they're secure. For example, look for a U-shaped pin holding the top of the linkage to the handle.

Full Answer

How to install a tub drain trip lever?

• If the seal isn’t watertight, inspect the drain flange. ...
• If you’ve installed a lever-style drain, remove the overflow plate and linkage, and twist the linkage rod’s adjuster counterclockwise to extend the plunger. ...
• If you can’t find the problem on your own, you might want to consult a professional plumber.

More items...

How to unclog a bathtub using the trip lever?

SNAKE OUT CLOGGED BATHTUB

• – Remove the overflow cover and the trip lever
• – Snake it out
• – Test and washout. If your sink drain is clogged and you already tried to plunge it but it didn’t work out, you will need to go little further and ...

How to replace bathtub drain valve?

• Start by plugging off the bathtub drain opening.
• Loosen the screw with an Allen wrench. ...
• Check if the spout is caulked to the wall. ...
• With the screw out, grab the spout with both hands and pull it out. ...
• If there are mineral deposits or corrosions on the water pipe smooth it with an emery cloth.
• Slide in the new spout until it is in contact with the wall. ...

More items...

How can I remove a stuck bath tub drain?

• Take a 12″ or longer zip tie and cut notches along the lower few inches using a pair of diagonal cutting pliers, scissors or utility knife.
• If present, use a screw driver to unscrew the retaining screw on your drain and remove the drain cover.
• Fish the zip tie you made in step 1 into and out of the drain.

More items...

How do I fix the lever on my bathtub?

How to Fix a Pop-Up Drain StopperRemove the Cover Plate and Plunger. Back out the mounting screws that hold the overflow cover plate to the overflow tube. ... Clean the Spring. Clean away any debris on the spring at the end of the stopper linkage. ... Adjust the Connecting Rod. ... Reassemble the Stopper.

How do you fix a broken trip lever?

3:356:11Tub Drain Trip Lever Replacement - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe hardware comes with a new cotter pin. So it's nice and easy to get through the hole. Make sure IMoreThe hardware comes with a new cotter pin. So it's nice and easy to get through the hole. Make sure I put it in the right direction. And just start it through there.

How do you replace a bathtub overflow plate with a trip lever?

3:0711:15Bath tub trip lever/ bath tub stopper replacement or adjustnmentYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe the drain and stops the water there Justin's over here you really don't want to screw with thisMoreThe the drain and stops the water there Justin's over here you really don't want to screw with this unless you need to and if you do it's all trial and error if it doesn't drain enough you have to

How do you replace a tub lift and turn stopper?

1:012:14Removing 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 do you fix a bathtub 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 fix a sink plunger?

1:275:29How to Fix a Bathroom Sink Stopper | This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe put a couple of screwdrivers in there all right you take those okay. And hold back as i try toMoreWe put a couple of screwdrivers in there all right you take those okay. And hold back as i try to loosen this nut watch your fingers.

How does a trip lever drain work?

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. This spring pushes down on a pivot arm that levers the pop-up stopper up into an open position when the trip lever is moved. When the trip lever is moved to the closed position , gravity allows the stopper to drop back down and seal the drain opening.

What does it mean when a bathtub drain stopper doesn't work?

Any bathtub drain stopper that doesn't do its job is an annoying inconvenience. Usually, the problem is easy to fix, though the procedures vary depending on what type of tub stopper you have. Some drains have stoppers that are spring-loaded, operated by a push of the toe or by hand, while others use a trip-lever mounted on ...

Where is the lift bucket on a bathtub?

The small up-and-down lever you see protruding from the overflow plate on your bathtub is connected to a vertical connecting rod inside the overflow pipe behind the front tub wall. Near the bottom of the connecting rod is a plunger of some kind—usually a weight that works by sealing the drain opening at the bottom of the overflow tube. This type of drain stopper is sometimes known as a lift bucket.

Why won't my tub drain?

Issues with your tub draining or holding on to water often result from a faulty trip lever. If the trip lever gets stuck or has damage, this could prevent it from opening all the way. When this happens, the water won’t drain properly from your tub.

What Exactly Does a Trip Lever Do?

You likely know exactly what a trip lever does. It’s located behind your tub wall, usually under the faucet, and controls the drain stopper. A metal plate usually hides the trip lever, and you operate it via a switch connected to the lever.

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.

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.

Why won't my plunger seal the drain?

Another possibility is an ill-adjusted vertical rod. If the vertical rod is in an improper position, the plunger may not be able to drop far down enough. Therefore, it won’t be able to seal the drain opening adequately.

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.

Why won't my liftbucket go up and down?

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.

Why is my trip lever tub stopper stuck?

If your trip-lever tub stopper is getting stuck somewhere in the overflow drain, it also means that your overflow drain integrity is compromised. It is therefore best to fix it as soon as possible.

What is the toggle lever on a bathtub?

Of the 4 parts, only the toggle lever is visible. It is the small switch on the overflow drain plate. You usually flip it up to close the bathtub drain and down to open it.

Why is my bathtub not draining?

Sometimes the plunger breaks off from the link mechanism and falls at the bottom of the overflow drain. In that case, you will notice that your bathtub cannot drain.

Why does my bathtub stopper stick?

A sticky trip-lever bathtub stopper is caused by gunk, hair, soap scum and mineral deposits in the overflow drain. This affects the up and down movement of the stopper’s plunger making it stick on the overflow pipe. You will notice that your bathtub will have problems draining and/or holding water.

How to clean a trip lever stopper?

Once the trip-lever stopper assembly is out, pour a generous amount of dish soap down the overflow tube. Alternatively you can use other drain cleaners that you have in the house. Give it time to work as you focus on the stopper.

How long will a bathtub stopper last?

A new bathtub stopper will serve you well for the next 15 years or thereabout. T his one here from Amazon is a decent one.

How many screws are on a tub plate?

On the plate, you will see 2 screws joining the plate to the tub. Use the screwdriver to remove the screws.

How does a tub trip lever work?

Whether your bathtub has a stopper or a strainer, the operation of the trip lever at the end of the tub is essentially the same. Moving the lever adjusts the height of a weight connected to the lever by linkage, or series of rods. You lower the lever to lift the weight off a spring-loaded stopper, which then automatically closes.

How to check if a drain lever is working?

Test the lever and adjust the length of the linkage. If the drain doesn't have a stopper and you can't lift the lever all the way, the weight is dropping too soon into the drain opening. Remove the cover and lift out the linkage. One of the rods is threaded and has adjustment screws. Turn them counterclockwise with pliers to shorten the linkage, then reinstall it and test the lever again.

What happens if you don't have a stopper on a drain?

If the drain doesn't have a stopper and you can't lift the lever all the way, the weight is dropping too soon into the drain opening. Remove the cover and lift out the linkage. One of the rods is threaded and has adjustment screws.

What is a lever mechanism?

Examine the lever mechanism. It consists of a cylindrical weight attached to a linkage that is connected to the lever. Lifting or lowering the lever raises or lowers the weight.

Where is the overflow cover located?

1. Unscrew and remove the existing overflow cover, if there is one, with a screwdriver. It is located above the drain and below the spout. You can discard the cover, because the lever comes attached to another cover of the same size.

Can a tub overflow if it has a trip lever?

Although the hole is called an "overflow," it will typically not prevent a tub from overflowing once it has a trip-lever plate installed over it.

What is a trip lever drain?

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 is the lever on the tub?

The small up-and-down lever you see protruding from the overflow plate on your bathtub wall is called the trip lever. It is connected to a vertical connecting rod inside the overflow pipe behind the front tub wall and moves up and down when the lever is used. Near the bottom of the connecting rod is a plunger of some kind — usually a weight that works by sealing the drain opening at the bottom of the overflow tube.

What happens when you put a 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. 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 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.

Why won't my bathtub drain?

If your bathtub doesn’t hold water and is always draining — or the opposite problem, it won’t drain at all — you might have an issue with your drain or stopper.

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 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.