Tub drain problem
#1
12-05-04, 10:23 AM
Tub drain problem
I have been dealing with a slow drain in the tub for about three weeks. I finally have the time to try to fix it, but I am no plumber. I tried the plunger thing, that made it worse. I pulled out the drain stopper, and what do ya know, the dang thing drains. I have come to the conclusion that I need to replace the entire mechaism. I hope I am right, but I figured I would ask some people who actually know about these things. If I may be missing something, or am completely off base, then let me know.
I am the first to admit when something is over my head, and this one is.
Thanks in advance for any advise
I am the first to admit when something is over my head, and this one is.
Thanks in advance for any advise
#2
12-05-04, 10:45 AM
Member
Hi Mowhawk2,
Welcome to the DIY Forums.
When you took the stopper out was it covered with hair,soap,gunk?
You may have pulled out the clog with the stopper.Clean it well and spray with WD40 and reinstall.
Was the linkage bent in any way? frozen in position? corroded beyond cleaning? If so the best thing to do would be replacment.
Good luck and post back with any questions you may have on this or future projects.
Welcome to the DIY Forums.
When you took the stopper out was it covered with hair,soap,gunk?
You may have pulled out the clog with the stopper.Clean it well and spray with WD40 and reinstall.
Was the linkage bent in any way? frozen in position? corroded beyond cleaning? If so the best thing to do would be replacment.
Good luck and post back with any questions you may have on this or future projects.
#3
12-05-04, 11:16 AM
No, It came out clean, I don't think that it is corroded too bad, although there is some lime build up from the insanely hard water here. I put the stopper back in, and it is slow again, I was thinking about an enzyme treatment, and maybe snaking, to see if it might be a combination of the stopper, and a slight clog.
And thanksfor getting back to me so soon
And thanksfor getting back to me so soon
#4
12-05-04, 11:23 AM
Member
Drain Care is a great enzyme cleaner and available at the big box stores, Ace, even Walmart.
I would use that as a general preventive maitenance anyway.
The stopper may just need to be adjusted. The bucket may not be sitting high enough to allow the water to drain.(yes it can happen suddenly). Shorten the linkage a little and see if that works. The reason I think it may be the linkage is due to its drining when the stopper was removed.
Good luck and post back.
I would use that as a general preventive maitenance anyway.
The stopper may just need to be adjusted. The bucket may not be sitting high enough to allow the water to drain.(yes it can happen suddenly). Shorten the linkage a little and see if that works. The reason I think it may be the linkage is due to its drining when the stopper was removed.
Good luck and post back.
#6
12-05-04, 01:06 PM
I think I have a real problem now, when I went to remove the stopper again, the plate and lever came off, but the rod and basket remained in the pipe, wich tells me that you were correct, it needed to be adjusted. How do I get this thing out of the pipe without pulling the tub.
#7
12-05-04, 01:39 PM
Member
Not to worry,it can be retrived from the hole its in. You may have to reach in the tub hole and push it up to where you can reach it from the top hole.If your fingers are too big(as mine are) to reach in the top hole you can bend a wire coat hanger to sort of snag the linkage and pull it out. reconnect it to the lever and plate,reinstall and check. You may have to adjust this several times to get it right.
Good luck
Good luck
#8
12-05-04, 02:21 PM
This thing is really starting to piss me off...lol
I used a steel leader and hook to go through the top hole and retrieve the basket. I got new nuts for the threaded shaft to lock the adjustment in place, and now the dang thing won't go back in. It goes about 3/4 of the way down and locks up in the pipe. I am getting frustrated, but I will not let a metal pipe beat me....lol
I used a steel leader and hook to go through the top hole and retrieve the basket. I got new nuts for the threaded shaft to lock the adjustment in place, and now the dang thing won't go back in. It goes about 3/4 of the way down and locks up in the pipe. I am getting frustrated, but I will not let a metal pipe beat me....lol
#9
12-05-04, 02:33 PM
Member
Paitence is a virtue and plumbing has been called worse. Loosen off the nuts a little. This should allow the links to "swing" and the linkage to slide back into place.
This small amount of frustration sure beats $45/hr or more since its a weekend.It may not seem that way today while working on it but tomorrow when your done it will.
This small amount of frustration sure beats $45/hr or more since its a weekend.It may not seem that way today while working on it but tomorrow when your done it will.
