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Bathtub Drain Replacement for Tubs without an Overflow
When your tub won't hold water, the problem is probably a defective drain. Bathtub drain replacement is a relatively minor repair well within the reach of most home owners. A beginner should be able to finish the repair in about three hours, more experience do-it-yourselfers in less time. No special tools are required.
The first step is to identify the type of drain you have. The most common type of drain does not have an overflow. An overflow is an opening between the drain and spout which allows water to escape the tub if it is overfilled.
Once you have determined that your drain is not an overflow, you need to remove the drain cover. Each cover is different, and some older tubs have no covers at all. In any case, inspecting the cover should easily show whether it is held in place by screws or clips. Remove them and set aside.
The next step is to determine what type of bathtub drain replacement to buy. There are two basic types of drains, those that are operated by a trip lever mounted on the wall of the tub, and those that are operated by moving the drain cover itself. If you have this manually operated type, replacement is extremely easy. Simply unscrew the drain plug and replace it with a new one of the same size. In some cases, you may need to loosen a set screw before you can unscrew the plug.
If your drain is operated by a lever attached to the wall of the tub, set the lever to the open position. Gently rock the drain stopper assembly until it is loosened and remove it from the drain. Old or clogged drains may require extra effort to remove. In this case, try unclogging the drain by flushing the drain with water or a liquid clog remover, being sure and rinse the clog remover out before continuing.
Remove the drain cover and detach the pop-up mechanism from the trip lever. Clean the lever thoroughly with a stiff brush and mild detergent. Next, trial fit the new bathtub drain replacement pop-up stopper assembly. Note the position of the stopper and adjust the linkage to insure a tight fit. Finally, replace all the parts and partially fill the tub with water while the drain is closed and check for leaks and flow rate. If there are leaks, tighten the linkage. If you want a higher drainage rate, increase the flow by slightly loosening the linkage.
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