The Pop-Up Drain Stopper
- Rotate the overflow faceplate or flip the lever to open the stopper.
- Pull straight up to remove the stopper. You may have to move it back and forth a bit.
- Some of these stoppers have a rocker arm that comes out with the stopper. ...
- Replace the stopper and plunger with a new one and make sure it is firmly sealed.
How do you remove a bathtub drain?
Remove the Drain Basket
- Once you have removed the drain stopper, you will see the drain basket (also known as a drain flange) in the drain opening. ...
- To remove the drain basket, you will need either locking pliers or a tub drain wrench. ...
- If you are using a drain wrench, insert the drain wrench into the drain and turn it counterclockwise to unscrew the drain basket.
How to remove the bathtub drain?
Remove the faceplate of a trip lever drain.
- The faceplate will be on the tub wall near the faucet, not on the bottom of the tub with the drain.
- These type of drains will stop a tub when a trip lever is activated. ...
- Set the tip of the screwdriver underneath the lip of the loosened drain if you need some leverage as you pull it out.
- Make sure to pull away from the tub wall.
How to remove bathtub push stopper?
- Move the rotating dial to the open setting.
- Gently remove the stopper from the drain opening and use wiggling movements to remove the whole arm linkage from the same opening.
- Wipe off any grime from the pop – up stopper and rocker arm. ...
- Restore some shine by polishing the stopper with commercial chrome polish. ...
How to remove tub plug?
This is how it works:
- Grab a washcloth or sponge, roll and squeeze it so that it is only slightly larger than the drain opening.
- Insert it in a small plastic bag and push out as much air as possible.
- Seal the plastic bag. ...
- Insert the cloth in the drain opening so that it is firmly held in place.
- Start filling the tub with water.
- Enjoy your bath.
How does a clevis work?
What is a pop up tub?
How to remove a sink stopper?
How does a pop up drain stopper work?
Why won't my sink pop up?
How to keep a drain stopper in good working order?
How to adjust pop up stopper?
See 2 more
How do you stop a bathtub stopper from popping up?
0:061:38How to Remove any Bathtub Stopper, Pop-up, Grate, or Plug - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd possibly a pipe wrench or a pair of pliers. So the first type is a grate on your bathtub all youMoreAnd possibly a pipe wrench or a pair of pliers. So the first type is a grate on your bathtub all you got to do is take your phillips head screwdriver unscrew counter clockwise.
Why won't my pop-up plug stay down?
If the stopper moves as it should but doesn't stay put, all you need to do is tighten the nut (turn it clockwise). If the action is too stiff, loosen the nut a little. Check the action and adjust until it feels about right.
How do you reattach a pop-up stopper?
Reassemble and Adjust the Pop-Up Stopper AssemblyStep 1: Insert the Stopper. Insert the stopper into the drain. ... Step 2: Adjust the Hardware. Tighten the retaining nut just enough so the stopper rod doesn't slide down. ... Step 3: Test for a Good Seal. The pop-up stopper should hold water now.
How do you adjust a pop-up drain?
0:151:41How to Adjust a Sink Stopper Video - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOne end of the u bracket. And then the linkage assembly itself. And we'll slide it down. Now afterMoreOne end of the u bracket. And then the linkage assembly itself. And we'll slide it down. Now after adjusting the horizontal arm that extends out from the bottom of the drain to the lowest.
How do I change a pop-up plug?
0:293:31How to Replace Your Bathroom Sink Pop-Up Assembly - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo you can see exactly what needs to be done lift strap pivot rod and spring clip remove the pop-upMoreSo you can see exactly what needs to be done lift strap pivot rod and spring clip remove the pop-up plug loosen the slip nut that fastens a tail piece to the p-trap.
How do pop-up bath plugs work?
How a Pop-Up Stopper Works. Pop-ups are simple mechanical devices that use a system of links and levers to move a drain stoppers up and down to seal a sink bowl or bathtub. Bathroom sink pop-ups are raised and lowered with a lift knob or lever, usually located on or near the faucet body.
What are the different types of bathtub drain stoppers?
The six most common types of bathtub drain stoppers are push-and-pull, pop-up, lift-and-turn, flip-it, toe-touch, and trip lever. It does not matter what type you have unless it must be fixed or replaced. The sole purpose of a bathtub stopper is to keep the water in the tub while you soak.
How do pop-up plugs work?
Pop-up basin wastes are operated by a push pull rod lever mechanism. When you push the lever or rod it lowers the stopper allowing you to fill the basin with water and then when you raise the lever, the water drains away.
How A Pop-Up Stopper Works
Bathroom sink pop-ups are raised and lowered with a lift knob or lever, usually located on or near the faucet body. The knob or lever is connected...
How to Remove A Bathtub Stopper
It’s easy to remove a tub stopper to check it for mechanical problems or blockage. You’ll encounter a couple of different types of bathtub pop-ups:...
How to Fix A Sink Pop-Up Stopper
Water may leak or refuse to drain around a sink pop-up for a number of reasons. If your sink pop-up won’t pop up or seat properly, fixing it is qui...
How does a clevis work?
The flat, slotted clevis is connected by a small spring clip to a pivot rod–and–ball assembly—a rod that runs through a rubber pivot ball and slopes slightly upward to the tailpiece of the stopper. This rod pushes the stopper up or lets it drop down into the drain body.
What is a pop up tub?
A bathtub pop-up is a two-part mechanism: first, the stopper, which has a rocker arm that extends back toward the drain, and second, the overflow assembly, a lever that lifts or lowers a rod with a spring-like end.
How to remove a sink stopper?
If it seems to be linked to the mechanism below, reach under the sink and unscrew the pivot rod retaining nut and pull out the pivot rod to disengage it. Use locking-jaw pliers to loosen it if necessary.
How does a pop up drain stopper work?
Pop-ups are simple mechanical devices that use a system of links and levers to move a drain stoppers up and down to seal a sink bowl or bathtub. Bathroom sink pop-ups are raised and lowered with a lift knob or lever, usually located on or near the faucet body.
Why won't my sink pop up?
Water may leak or refuse to drain around a sink pop-up for a number of reasons. If your sink pop-up won’t pop up or seat properly, fixing it is quite easy—usually just a matter of adjusting a few parts. The culprit is often a buildup of hair around the base of the stopper or the pivot rod mechanism. Or, the clevis may be out of adjustment (see illustration to identify the various parts).
How to keep a drain stopper in good working order?
Keeping the drain clear of hair, soap and shampoo residue, and other debris is one of the best ways to help keep the stopper in good working order.
How to adjust pop up stopper?
Depending upon the type of pop-up, you adjust the way the stopper seats either by adjusting the length of the striker rod or by adjusting the rocker arm.
How to put a spring clip back in place?
Squeeze the spring clip back into place, joining the pivot rod with the clevis strap tightly.
How to reattach clevis strap to pivot rod?
Reattach the clevis strap to the pivot rod through the same hole you marked when you slid it out. Changing the hole will give you different results than before for the top rod by the sink, making it a bit shorter or longer.
How to move pivot rod?
Take the cleaned or new pivot rod with the ball attached, and insert it back inside the tailpiece where it was before. When you move the pivot in an up-down motion after inserting it, the drain stopper should also move along with it. If that is not the case, it means you need to readjust the drain stopper till the rod goes into the stopper hole, and it moves accordingly.
How to remove pivot rod from tailpiece?
The pivot rod is now only attached to the tailpiece with a retaining nut and gasket. Unscrew the nut from the base and slide it out. Then, pull and slide the gasket ring out of the pivot rod as well.
How to break a clevis strap?
Observe the area where the clevis strap is bound to the horizontal pivot rod. You will see that a spring clip is securing the clevis strap, binding it to the pivot rod. Put some pressure onto that clip to break its grip on the clevis strap. Then slowly take off the spring clip.
What is pivot rod?
A pivot rod is connected to the drain stopper beneath the sink. Before removing the pivot rod, a few parts need to be dismantled first. These include the clevis , spring clip , retaining nut, and gasket. A pivot rod is attached through a retaining nut and gasket to the sink. The clevis is a many-holed vertical strap attached to the horizontal pivot rod with a small spring clip to keep it firmly in place.
Why isn't my sink draining water?
If your sink is not draining water, it’s because of one of two reasons: Your sink’s pop-up drain stopper is damaged, or the pivot rod is rusted or broken.
In This Article
Soaking in a hot, relaxing bubble bath is the perfect way to wrap up your day — unless that water slowly drains out due to a damaged bathtub drain stopper. Whether it doesn't hold water well or won't move at all, your drain stopper can make bath time a hassle.
Fixing a Trip Lever With Plunger
If your tub has a trip lever, you'll see the lever on the overflow plate, which is on the vertical portion on the front of the tub near the faucet. You can flip it up or down to open or close the drain. The type with a plunger, also called a lift bucket stopper, doesn't have a visible stopper that you can see in the drain.
Fixing a Trip Lever With Rocker
This type of bathtub drain stopper also uses a trip lever on the overflow plate to open and close the drain. The difference is that you can see the stopper in the tub drain, and it moves up and down, which is why it's often called a pop-up stopper. A spring-loaded rocker arm extending through the waste pipe connects the trip lever and the stopper.
Fixing Stoppers Without a Linkage Assembly
The other broad category of bathtub drain stoppers includes styles that don't have a linkage assembly in the overflow drain. They're attached to the drain itself and are controlled at the stopper rather than with a trip lever. These stoppers sometimes have setscrews to hold them in place.
How does a trip lever drain work?
Rather than a lift-bucket plunger that seals a drain opening at the bottom of the overflow tube, there is a spring at the end of the connecting rod. This spring pushes down on a pivot arm that levers the pop-up stopper up into an open position when the trip lever is moved. When the trip lever is moved to the closed position , gravity allows the stopper to drop back down and seal the drain opening.
What does it mean when a bathtub drain stopper doesn't work?
Any bathtub drain stopper that doesn't do its job is an annoying inconvenience. Usually, the problem is easy to fix, though the procedures vary depending on what type of tub stopper you have. Some drains have stoppers that are spring-loaded, operated by a push of the toe or by hand, while others use a trip-lever mounted on ...
Where is the lift bucket on a bathtub?
The small up-and-down lever you see protruding from the overflow plate on your bathtub is connected to a vertical connecting rod inside the overflow pipe behind the front tub wall. Near the bottom of the connecting rod is a plunger of some kind—usually a weight that works by sealing the drain opening at the bottom of the overflow tube. This type of drain stopper is sometimes known as a lift bucket.
Who is Aaron Stickley?
Aaron Stickley is a licensed plumber with first-hand knowledge in solving home plumbing problems.
Who is Richard Epstein?
Richard Epstein is a licensed master plumber with over 40 years experience in residential and commercial plumbing.
How to lower a stopper on a tub?
To lower the stopper, thread the bottom lock nut down. Next, spin the adaptor that the plunger hangs from down until it reaches the bottom lock nut, and then tighten the upper locknut to the adaptor. Place the plunger, threaded rod, and trip lever back into the hole in the tub and screw the plate back into place.
What is a tub drain?
Bathtub drains consist of a visible trip lever, a plunger that seats in the drain to stop water, and two pieces of threaded rod which connect the lever and plunger. The assemblies are adjustable to fit a wide range of tubs. The first step is to unscrew the plate that holds the trip lever.
How to keep water in tub when it drains out?
Close the stopper, run some water into the tub, and see if it stays. If the water drains out, repeat the process above and lower the plunger a little bit more until you get the bathwater to stay in.
How long does it take for a bathtub to drain?
10 to 20 minutes. Bathtub drain assemblies are mysterious things. Somehow, a lever placed well above the bottom of the tub controls whether the water stays in the tub when it’s wanted, and then allows it to drain when bath time is over. When a tub won’t hold water, the two potential causes are easily repaired.
Who is the master plumber of the old house?
In this video, This Old House master plumber Richard Trethewey shows how bathtub drains work, and how to fix them when they don’t.
How Can I Fix My Bathroom Sink Stopper?
If your bathroom sink drain is broken, it can be a major problem. These things are made so that if they fail, you have to take things apart to fix them. It is not as easy as fixing the tub drain. But you should be able to do it without hiring a plumber.
How to remove a drain stopper?
The stopper is visible in the drain and is not covered by a strainer. Rotate the overflow faceplate or flip the lever to open the stopper. Pull straight up to remove the stopper. You may have to move it back and forth a bit. Some of these stoppers have a rocker arm that comes out with the stopper.
How to open a stopper on a septic tank?
Rotate the overflow faceplate or flip the lever to open the stopper.
What is an O ring?
The O-ring is all that keeps this type of stopper in its place. All you have to do is unscrew it and pull upward at the same time. It does not even matter which way you turn it because it can go both ways. Replace it with a new one by putting it in and turning it one way or the other.
Why won't my shower go down?
It can be pretty annoying when you take a shower and the water starts puddling around your feet. If it won’t go down, you probably thought it was clogged with hair or something. But after cleaning it and finding nothing, you probably realized that it is just that the drain stopper is stuck in the closed position.
Why is it important to clean your bathroom?
You know what goes on in your bathroom, so it’s important to clean your bathroom towels, rugs, and other linens regularly in order to remove soap scum, germs, and bacteria. While you may wash loads...
Can you fix a broken bathroom sink drain?
If your bathroom sink drain is broken, it can be a major problem. These things are made so that if they fail, you have to take things apart to fix them. It is not as easy as fixing the tub drain. But you should be able to do it without hiring a plumber.
What to do if bathtub stopper doesn't lift out?
If the top of the bathtub stopper doesn't lift out easily, wiggle it back and forth and pull up simultaneously. Advertisement. A stopper with a rocker arm attached to the wall assembly will only lift so high, exposing the mechanism. You will need to take some precautions with the rocker arm.
What is a conversion kit for a pop up bathtub stopper?
A conversion kit for the pop-up bathtub stopper includes all you need to install a new, more convenient, drain assembly.
How does a pop up tub work?
It uses a trip lever or turn style mechanism to fill or drain the bathtub. The pop-up uses an internal push rod on the overflow . This rod pushes against a rocker arm that is attached to the stopper. A pop-up stopper can have a trip lever that moves left or right or up or down.
Do you need tools to remove a bathtub stopper?
Working on the bathtub stopper doesn't require expensive tools, but it does require some precautions. Hair, soap scum and general debris tend to collect just below that shiny drain cap. Have a stack of clean cloths handy to clean up any muck that comes from the drain when the bathtub stopper is pulled out. Work gloves can help you get ...
Do bathtub stoppers require tools?
Working on the bathtub stopper doesn't require expensive tools, but it does require some precautions.
How does a clevis work?
The flat, slotted clevis is connected by a small spring clip to a pivot rod–and–ball assembly—a rod that runs through a rubber pivot ball and slopes slightly upward to the tailpiece of the stopper. This rod pushes the stopper up or lets it drop down into the drain body.
What is a pop up tub?
A bathtub pop-up is a two-part mechanism: first, the stopper, which has a rocker arm that extends back toward the drain, and second, the overflow assembly, a lever that lifts or lowers a rod with a spring-like end.
How to remove a sink stopper?
If it seems to be linked to the mechanism below, reach under the sink and unscrew the pivot rod retaining nut and pull out the pivot rod to disengage it. Use locking-jaw pliers to loosen it if necessary.
How does a pop up drain stopper work?
Pop-ups are simple mechanical devices that use a system of links and levers to move a drain stoppers up and down to seal a sink bowl or bathtub. Bathroom sink pop-ups are raised and lowered with a lift knob or lever, usually located on or near the faucet body.
Why won't my sink pop up?
Water may leak or refuse to drain around a sink pop-up for a number of reasons. If your sink pop-up won’t pop up or seat properly, fixing it is quite easy—usually just a matter of adjusting a few parts. The culprit is often a buildup of hair around the base of the stopper or the pivot rod mechanism. Or, the clevis may be out of adjustment (see illustration to identify the various parts).
How to keep a drain stopper in good working order?
Keeping the drain clear of hair, soap and shampoo residue, and other debris is one of the best ways to help keep the stopper in good working order.
How to adjust pop up stopper?
Depending upon the type of pop-up, you adjust the way the stopper seats either by adjusting the length of the striker rod or by adjusting the rocker arm.
