The Complete DIY Guide to Replacing Your Bathtub Drain Lever

Is your bathtub draining slower than molasses in January? I feel your pain. As a home improvement expert who has remodeled my fair share of bathrooms, I know how frustrating a clogged tub can be.

The good news is, replacing that old worn-out drain lever can often get your tub draining like new again. In this detailed guide, I‘ll walk you through everything involved in this do-it-yourself project.

By the time you‘re done, you‘ll be able to handle a bathtub drain lever replacement with your eyes closed (but keep them open just in case)!

Bathtub Drain Clogs: A Drain on Your Patience!

Before we dig into the lever replacement process, let‘s look at why tub drains get clogged in the first place. The National Institute of Health estimates over 250,000 emergency room visits every year are caused by bath and shower injuries [1]. While not all of these are from clogged drains, the data shows they can create serious hazards.

The most common culprits that slow down drain flow are:

• Hair: The average person sheds 50-100 hairs per day. All this hair gets washed down the drain and sticks together to form obstructions.

• Soap residue: Soap scum builds up on the drain and stopper mechanism impeding water flow.

• Minerals: From hard water, minerals like calcium and lime can precipitate out and clog drains over time.

• Toys, bath bombs, toothpaste tubes: Kids dumping things down the drain account for many clogged tub drains. Adults aren‘t innocent either!

• Grease and oil: From bathing and washing, slick oils coat drains leading to slower water flow.

• Decaying organic debris: Stuff like leaves, algae, and gunk within drain pipes can impede adequate drainage.

The best way to prevent tub clogs is regular drain maintenance. But when prevention fails, replacing the drain lever can be an easy fix.

Why Does the Drain Lever Need Replacement?

That little lever may not seem like a big deal, but it plays a crucial role in controlling drain flow. The lever is connected to the stopper that seals the drain. Lifting the lever raises the stopper and allows water to flow down the pipes.

Over time, the lever assembly can suffer wear and tear from mineral buildup and corrosion. Or plastic levers can eventually crack and break. Signs your drain lever needs replacing include:

• Lever movement is sticky or sluggish
• Water drains slower than it used to
• Bathtub takes longer than 12-15 minutes to drain fully
• Lever no longer lifts the stopper all the way up
• Rust or mineral deposits have coated the lever
• Cracked or broken pieces on a plastic lever

Replacing the drain lever is a handy DIY solution before calling a plumber for major pipe cleaning. Next, let‘s go over the key parts of the assembly.

Drain Lever Anatomy 101

While drain levers may look different, they consist of the same basic components:

• Drain lever – The flip-up metal or plastic lever that controls the stopper. Attaches to the overflow plate.

• Overflow plate – The decorative plate surrounding the lever and overflow holes.

• Connecting rod – The vertical rod linking the drain lever to the stopper.

• Stopper seal – Rubber gasket that seats into the drain opening to seal it closed.

• Stopper – The movable plug connected to the rod that seals the drain. Usually brass or plastic.

• Adjusting rod – Threaded rod to raise and lower the stopper height as needed.

Now that you know what each piece does, let‘s go over how to remove the old assembly.

Removing the Existing Drain Lever: Step-by-Step

Removing the worn-out drain lever takes a little bit of elbow grease but it‘s a pretty straightforward process:

What You‘ll Need:

• Adjustable wrench
• Flathead screwdriver
• Old towel
• Container for catching water
• Replacement drain lever

Directions:

1. Turn off the water supply valves under the sink or tub. This prevents gallons of water pouring out when you remove the drain stopper.

2. Spread the old towel around the drain area to catch any drips or splashes. Place the container underneath to catch residual water.

3. Pry off the decorative drain lever cover with the flathead screwdriver.

4. Unscrew and remove the small screw that holds the lever in place.

5. Pull up the existing lever to detach it from the connecting rod.

6. Loosen the adjusting rod from the drain stopper with the wrench. Unscrew it counterclockwise to remove.

7. Clean any gunk or old plumber‘s putty with a putty knife so the area is clean for the new lever.

Be patient and take your time during removal. Now let‘s go over how to choose the best replacement lever.

Shopping Tips: Finding the Right Replacement Lever

To select an ideal drain lever replacement, bring your old lever along to the hardware store. Finding the same shape, size, and style ensures good fit.

If the original is plastic, opt for a metal version this time for longevity. Brass, aluminum, or stainless steel levers will resist corrosion better.

You can also upgrade to a hands-free toe-touch lever plate. This lets you push a lever down with your foot to pop the stopper up. Useful when your hands are occupied!

A brass lever replacement is a durable option

Additional features to look for include:

• Stopper seal mating surface for leak prevention
• Durable metal construction
• 5 year or longer warranty
• Matching finish to your existing hardware
• Stopper height adjustment capability

Plan on spending $10-30 for a quality metal lever replacement. Avoid flimsy plastic models that can break over time.

Installing the New Drain Lever Correctly

You‘re almost to the finish line! Installing the new lever takes a bit of care to get a perfect fit:

What You‘ll Need:

• Replacement lever
• Plumber‘s putty
• Flathead screwdriver
• Adjustable wrench

Directions:

1. Apply plumber‘s putty around the underside of the new lever to seal it.

2. Set the lever into the drain opening and press down evenly to adhere the putty.

3. Replace the retaining screw and tighten it with the screwdriver to secure the lever.

4. Thread the adjusting rod back into the stopper. Tighten with the wrench.

5. Turn the water supply back on and let the tub fill halfway.

6. Test the lever several times to ensure smooth operation and no leaks.

7. If needed, tighten screws or apply more plumber‘s putty for a tighter seal.

Be patient and take your time securing the lever into place. Running water into the tub lets you verify proper drainage flow through the lever.

Voila! With some careful work and attention to detail, you‘ve just replaced a major bathtub component.

Testing and Verifying Proper Installation

Once installation is complete, verify that everything is working correctly:

• Operate the new lever several times and ensure the stopper moves up and down smoothly.

• Fill the bathtub halfway with water and time how long it takes to fully drain. It should drain completely in 12 minutes or less.

• Inspect around the base of the lever for any water droplets that indicate leaking.

• Run water into the tub from the faucet and check that the drain gurgles normally.

• If any problems, adjust the stopper height or tighten the lever‘s retaining screws.

Give the new assembly several test drives to break it in before taking a relaxing bath!

Troubleshooting Tricks for Bathtub Drain Levers

In case you encounter any issues with the new lever down the road, here are some handy troubleshooting tips:

Drain stopper doesn‘t fully seal closed:

• Adjust the stopper height by turning the adjusting rod to raise or lower it.

• Replace the rubber stopper seal if it‘s broken or compressed.

Lever feels loose or lacks tension:

• Tighten the retaining screw that holds the assembly together.

• Add additional plumber‘s putty under the lever‘s base for stability.

Bathtub still drains slowly after replacement:

• Remove hair caught around the stopper with tweezers.

• Snaking the drain pipe could remove deeper clogs.

• Try a drain cleaner to dissolve soap buildup.

Water leaks around the new lever:

• Applying more putty underneath creates a better seal.

• Make sure the retaining screw is fully tightened.

• Remove lever, clean mating surfaces, and reinstall.

Taking a methodical approach to any troubleshooting makes the solution easier to pinpoint. Let the drain fully dry between tests.

Maintaining Your Bathtub Drain

To keep your bathtub drain lever working smoothly for years to come:

• Remove hair and debris from the stopper regularly.

• Apply petroleum jelly or plumber‘s grease to the lever‘s moving parts annually.

• Check the setscrews and rods are snugged tight every 6 months.

• Scrub the drain opening with a bottle brush and baking soda to control buildup.

• Rinse the drain thoroughly after using hair removal products.

Like any machinery, periodic maintenance keeps the bathtub drain operating at peak performance.

When to Call a Professional Plumber

While I‘m a strong believer in DIY repairs, there are a few cases when it‘s best to call a professional:

• The drain piping underneath is severely clogged or corroded.

• Changes are needed to the drain‘s physical structure or location.

• Chronic slow drainage or backing up persists after trying repairs.

• Leaks originate below the tub in inaccessible areas.

• Cast iron or lead piping needs replacement.

• Special tools like a drain auger are required.

• Drywall or tile work will be necessary to access drain components.

Be realistic about your skill level to determine if it‘s time to phone a plumber. They have specialized tools and knowledge for difficult chronic clogs or complex drain issues.

Closing Thoughts

As you can see, replacing a bathtub drain lever is very doable with some mechanical know-how. The key is taking your time and not rushing each step in the process. Patience and allowing the proper drying time makes a big difference in getting a leak-free seal.

While minor drain clogs come with the territory of homeownership, a properly functioning lever assembly keeps them from becoming a soggy, sudsy swamp!

With this guide‘s step-by-step instructions, you can tackle a bathtub drain lever replacement project with total confidence. Let me know if any sections need better explanation or detail. I want to see you get those bath bubbles draining faster than a New Year‘s resolution!