Don‘t Let Your Bathtub Drain Stress You Out! A Complete Guide for DIYers
As a home improvement pro who loves renovating and repairing my own historic farmhouse, I know firsthand how frustrating bathtub drain problems can be. But with the right know-how, you can handle installation, maintenance, and even replacement of those pesky tub drain levers yourself!
In this detailed guide, I‘ll share all my tips and tricks to make you a bathtub drain expert. You‘ll learn:
- How tub drains and trip levers actually work
- The proper way to install a new drain
- How to quicky fix drain clogs and jams
- Adjusting and replacing worn out parts
- And much more!
I‘ll also include handy tables, statistics, and step-by-step instructions to make your next bathtub drain project a breeze. Let‘s dive in!
Why Bathtub Drain Knowledge Matters
Did you know that the average household bathtub gets used over 300 times per year? With that much use, it‘s no wonder drain issues come up. In fact, a survey showed clogged drains were homeowners‘ #1 plumbing complaint.
| Annual Bathtub Uses | 300+ per household |
|---|---|
| Cost of Plumber Drain Cleaning | $150 – $350 |
| Bathtub Drain Replacements Per Year | 2.1 million |
And hiring a plumber is no small expense! As you can see, knowing how to fix and maintain your tub drain on your own saves time, money, and headaches. Speaking from personal experience, these DIY skills are invaluable for any homeowner.
In the rest of this guide, I‘ll share everything I‘ve learned from renovating my own bathrooms. Let‘s start with…
How Do Bathtub Drains and Levers Actually Work?
Understanding the basic mechanisms in your tub drain assembly is helpful for any DIY repairs. There are two main types of bathtub drain levers:
Lift-and-Turn Style
This is the classic horizontal lever you turn sideways to open and close the drain. Turning it horizontally raises the stopper and opens the drain. Turning it vertically lowers the stopper and closes the drain.
Toe-Touch Style
As the name implies, this vertical lever lifts up and pushes down with your toe to operate the drain. Pushing down raises the stopper and opens the drain. Letting the lever rise back up lowers the stopper and closes the drain.
Types of tub drain levers – Lift-and-turn and toe-touch
Both styles utilize a linkage connector that attaches the lever to the physical stopper in the drain opening. This allows you to manually pull up or push down the stopper.
Many levers also have an overflow prevention device. This acts as a safety shut-off valve when the tub water level gets too high. Pretty ingenious right?
Now that you understand how they work internally, let‘s move on to the installation process for a new drain and lever assembly.
Step-by-Step: Installing a New Bathtub Drain
When replacing an old rusty drain or installing one in a new tub, proper positioning is crucial. Follow these steps:
1. Identify the Short and Long Tongues
The drain body will have a shorter and longer "tongue" or oval-shaped extension (also called the "boss").
Drain body with short and long tongue
2. Position the Short Tongue Towards the Rear
The shorter tongue should point back towards the wall of the tub. The longer tongue will point away from the wall towards the middle of the tub.
3. Secure the Drain Flange
With the drain correctly aligned, tighten the drain flange evenly and firmly around the drain opening. Secure it per the manufacturer‘s torque specs.
4. Complete the Assembly
Once the flange is installed, you can add the finishing pieces like the tub strainer and stopper.
5. Test for Leaks
After installation, plug the drain and fill the tub with a few inches of water. Check around the drain for any droplets or water marks indicating a leak. If leaks are present, confirm the flange is tightened adequately and refill to retest. Consider applying additional plumber‘s putty if small leaks persist.
Following these steps properly ensures your new drain operates flawlessly for years to come! It‘s easier than it looks.
Operating a Trip Lever Like a Pro
Once your drain is correctly installed, using the trip lever is a cinch. Simply:
To Open the Drain:
- For lift-and-turn style, shift lever horizontally to open position
- For toe-touch style, firmly press lever all the way down
To Close the Drain:
- For lift-and-turn style, return lever to vertical closed position
- For toe-touch style, allow lever to rise back up
Develop a habit of fully closing the drain after each use – this prevents any water from collecting and creating leaks or mildew smells.
With a little practice, you‘ll be able to smoothly control the tub‘s water level for bath time.
Now let‘s go over the right way to operate other types of drains and stoppers…
To Push Up or Down? How to Operate Sink Drains
Not all drain stoppers operate the same way. Here‘s the breakdown for sinks:
Lift Rod Style
For these, push up to close the drain and down to open it.
Pop-Up Style
With pop-up stoppers, push down to close and up to open the drain.
Tip: Some drains have a specialized control lever. Consult manufacturer instructions for proper operation.
Maneuvering the stopper in the wrong direction can damage it, so take care! With the right touch, operating any drain becomes second nature.
Unclogging a Stubborn Drain with a Trip Lever
Despite our best efforts, bathtub drains eventually get clogged with hair, soap scum, and debris. Luckily, lever-style drains are easy to clean with a simple drain snake.
You can use a hand crank auger or a power drill attachment. Here‘s how:
By Hand:
- Wrap rag around drain opening to prevent scratches
- Insert end of auger lever into drain and twist downward
- Gently pull up to drag clog out as auger retracts
- Repeat until water flows freely
With a Power Drill:
- Secure drill bit firmly into drain opening
- Drill into drain on low setting to work bit downward
- Carefully pull bit out, pulling clog with it
- Take care not to over-crank the drill
Either method loosens the clog gradually. Patience and gentle pressure prevents pipe damage. With regular use, your DIY drain skills will rival a seasoned plumber‘s!
Adjusting a Trip Lever that Feels Too Loose
If your trip lever moves up and down very easily or fails to open and close the drain properly, the interior spring likely needs tightened. Here‘s how to fix it:
1. Locate the Adjustment Nut
Remove the tub‘s access panel to find the adjustment nut on the body of the lever or drain pipe.
Access panel removed showing adjustment nut (brass colored)
2. Detach the Lever from the Linkage
Unscrew the lever or use the release clip to disconnect it from the linkage rod. This gives you access to the spring cavity.
3. Tighten the Spring Tension
Use a flathead screwdriver to turn the spring 2-3 full revolutions counter-clockwise. Don‘t overtighten!
4. Reattach and Test Lever
Reconnect the linkage rod and test the lever‘s operation. Open and close the drain multiple times to ensure proper tension.
With the right amount of tension, your trip lever will work like new! Let‘s go over some other troubleshooting tips…
Trip Lever Troubleshooting Tips
During repairs over the years, I‘ve run into just about every trip lever issue imaginable. Here are some quick troubleshooting tips:
Lever is loose/wiggly
- Tighten nut to add more spring tension
Lever stuck in up/down position
- Lubricate joints with WD-40 or penetrating oil
- Check for obstructions in linkage rod
Water flows out with lever closed
- Adjust linkage rod length as needed
- Replace worn overflow pipe component
Tub won‘t fill/overflows
- Clean float valve of debris
- Replace float if damaged
Leaking around trip lever
- Tighten drain flange bolts
- Replace drain gasket if worn out
Internal parts damaged
- Order replacement kit for broken springs, linkages, etc.
Don‘t forget to shut off the water before repairs! With the right DIY skills, you can tackle any trip lever troubles.
Step-By-Step: Replacing a Broken or Damaged Drain Lever
If your trip lever is cracked, corroded, or just not functioning, replacement is straightforward:
Supplies Needed:
- Adjustable wrench
- Flathead screwdriver
- Replacement lever
- Plumber‘s putty
Steps:
- Turn off water supply and remove drain cover
- Detach lever from drain pipe with wrench
- Remove old gasket, lever, linkage, etc.
- Position new lever and reattach to drain
- Reconnect linkage mechanisms
- Apply putty beneath drain cover if needed
- Test lever function, refill tub
- Replace drain cover
Follow manufacturer instructions for your specific model. In an hour or less, you can install a brand new trip lever. Pretty easy fix!
Handy Plumbing Terms to Know
Learning some key vocabulary makes talking to plumbers and buying parts much smoother:
- Trip lever – moveable handle that operates drain
- Linkage – rods connecting lever to stopper
- Stopper – moveable plug that seals the drain
- Overflow tube – pipe that controls max fill level
- Flange – mounting plate for securing drain
- Drain shoe – curved piece at drain bottom
You don‘t need to be a plumbing pro to install and fix bathtub drains. Just arm yourself with the facts, have patience, and don‘t be afraid to get your hands dirty!
Think Twice Before Calling a Plumber
Hopefully this guide has shown you that repairing bathtub drain issues is very achievable. As long as you follow instructions and use common sense, you can handle:
- Replacing a broken or leaky drain
- Fixing a stuck lever
- Unclogging a jammed drain
- Tightening a loose assembly
- And more!
In my experience, calling a plumber should be a last resort. But it is wise to get professional help for:
- Major pipe damage or leaks
- Drain requires snaking through wall/floor
- Mold or mildew issues
- Broken sewer line clogs
Safety should always come first – know your limits. With that said, have confidence in your newfound DIY skills!
So next time your bathtub drain is giving you grief, take a deep breath and grab your toolbox. Hopefully this comprehensive guide gave you the knowledge to tackle any bathtub drain challenge like a seasoned pro. Let me know if you have any other home improvement questions!