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Maintaining bathtub
drains is a tedious job that requires the careful attention of the
plumber. In order to get the job done correctly it is best to hire a
competent and experienced professional.
Repairing a Broken Tub Drain
Some of the common tools used to repair a broken bathtub drain include
slip joint pliers, needle nose pliers, putty knife, plumber’s putty,
heat proof grease, trip lever, linkage, and overflow plunger. It is also
helpful to have a wire coat hanger and a towel handy when you begin the
job.
Common Repair Procedures for Bathtub Drains
- The wire coat hanger should be
reconfigured into the shape of a long fishing hook. It can then be
used to remove the broken pieces from the old drain.
- The old piece should be compared
with the replacement piece to make sure they are both the same size.
Old plungers that are still in good condition may just need some
cleaning before they can be reused. Apply some plumbers grease along
the edge prior to reinserting it in the drain.
A pin is supplied with the new
plunger to connect it to the new overflow plate. Once the new
plunger is in place the overflow plate can be screwed on. It is best
to test the new drain by closing it and filling the tub with a small
amount of water. Once you are sure it works correctly take off the
plate and place some plumber’s putty along the seam. To permit
overflowing an area at the bottom of the plate should be left open.
Screw the overflow plate back into place. Remove any excess
plumber’s putty as part of your clean up procedures.
Clearing Bathtub Drains
There are a few ways to remove a blockage from a bathtub drain.
Running hot water is the simplest option. You may also need to use a
plunger, or as a last resort pour in a chemical drain cleaner. You
will need to cover the overflow outlet prior to using a plunger. If
you are unable to find success using any of the methods listed above
you may need to remove the drum trap which is below the tub.
Unfortunately, this is not an easy task.
In order to remove the drum trap you will need a good grade of
penetrating oil which can be applied to the drum trap cover. The
cover should be more easily removed with a wrench after you have let
the oil sit for some time. You may need to use a hacksaw to cut
notches in the cover if the wrench can not remove it. After cutting
the notches you can use a chisel or a hammer and punch to remove the
cover. A drain auger is used to remove the clog once the drum trap
cover has been removed.
freestanding bathtubs
Find a beautiful freestanding bath tub here. Many types and designs to choose
from. Everything from pedestal to claw foot tubs.
Plumbing fixtures |
Water fixtures and pipes |
Bathroom design |
