Yes, it is possible to replace a bathtub drain lever. While it is a relatively straightforward task, it can become quite time consuming. The process of replacing a bathtub drain lever requires that the drain and overflow assemblies be removed.
This includes unscrewing the lever mechanism and overflow plate, then unhooking, and removing the drain pipe. Once the assemblies are removed, you’ll need to locate a replacement lever mechanism that matches the make and model of your bathtub.
Once you have a new lever mechanism, you can begin the installation process. This includes reattaching the drain pipe, mounting the overflow plate, screwing each part back together, and using a wrench to tighten if needed.
It’s important to make sure the lever mechanism is watertight and properly working before you re-install the drain and overflow assemblies. Once everything is put back together, the lever should be ready for use.
What is the bathtub drain lever called?
The bathtub drain lever is commonly referred to as the bathtub overflow plate. It rest at the bottom of the tub, near the drain and allows the water to drain out of the bottom of the tub when it is flipped.
This plate is typically made from stamped chrome, brass, or plastic and is held in place by two screws. The lever looks like a drawer handle, often shaped like a half-moon, and allows you to control the flow of the water by lifting or lowering the lever.
When the lever is in the up position, it seals off the water and keeps it inside the tub. When the lever is in the down position, it opens the seal and allows the water to drain out.
How does a bathtub drain lever work?
Bathtub drain levers work by reversing the water flow in the drain pipe. They do this by either manual operation or where present, through a trip lever mechanism. The trip lever is connected to a stopper assembly, which has a pivot rod attached to it.
When the trip lever is pulled up, the pivot rod lifts the drain stopper, allowing the water to flow down the drain pipe. Once the drain stopper is lifted, it creates a reverse suction movement to dislodge the clog, allowing the water to properly drain.
When the trip lever is pushed down, the stopper seals the drain pipe allowing you to fill your bathtub with water. The principal behind this mechanism is to release a small amount of pressure from the pipe when its being filled, and when the lever is released, the same amount of pressure will hold stopper closed, trapping the water in the bathtub.
How do you remove a bathtub drain stopper lift and turn?
Removing a bathtub drain stopper lift and turn type can typically be done with a few tools, depending on the type of hardware you have. First, you’ll want to start by removing any screws that are in the face plate of the stopper.
If your stopper does not have any visible screws, it may be held together with some type of adhesive. If this is the case, use a putty knife to carefully pry apart the face plate from the drain body.
Be sure to go slowly so you don’t cause any damage. Once the face plate is away from the drain body, you’ll have access to the adjustment rod which is what you will use to remove the stopper. The adjustment rod is the piece of metal that the stopper is caught onto.
Use a flathead screwdriver to loosen the washer-like head at the top of the rod. When you can clearly see some threads, start backing the adjustment rod out of the drain body. As you remove the rod, hold onto the stopper between your thumb and index finger so the rod and stopper will come out together.
As a last step, with the entire assembly removed from the drain body, turn it over and see if any other parts have to be removed. If there is, use pliers to gently detach them and use a cloth to gently clean the stopper before re-installing it.
What is the lever that closes the sink drain?
The lever that closes the sink drain is an important part of a sink. It is usually found on the wall or on the side of the sink and is used to open and close the drain. It is typically made of metal, though some may be made of plastic.
The lever is connected to the sink’s drain stopper via a chain or rod. When moved up or down, the lever allows the stopper to open and close, allowing water to drain out or be held back. The lever is an essential part of the sink’s function, allowing the user to adjust the amount of water in the sink.
How do you fix a sink stopper lever?
Fixing a sink stopper lever will require a few basic tools and some basic knowledge of plumbing.
Step 1: Begin by turning off the water valve located under the sink. You’ll want to open a nearby faucet to allow the existing pressure to be released from the pipes, and check for any potential water leaks.
Step 2: Unscrew the pop up lever located near the faucet and set it aside. You may need a wrench or a screwdriver depending on the model.
Step 3: Now you should be able to pull the sink stopper out of the drainpipe. Check the stopper material to ensure it’s in good condition, and if it needs to be replaced.
Step 4: Find the lever mechanism attached inside the drainpipe. This is the part that attaches the sink lever to the drainpipe, and it will probably be covered in gunk and grime, so clean it up as best as you can.
Step 5: Reattach the stopper to the lever by aligning the two parts and tightening the screws and or nuts.
Step 6: Next, insert the sink lever into the drainpipe and attach it to the lever mechanism. Check for any loose screws or nuts, and make sure it’s tightened properly.
Step 7: Replace the drain cover and check to make sure it’s tight and secure.
Step 8: Turn the water valve back on, and you should be all set. Make sure to test the sink lever by using it to open and close the drain.
With some basic tools and a little bit of mechanical knowledge, you should be able to fix a sink stopper lever in no time.
What type of tub drains have trip levers?
Trip lever tub drains are the most common type of bath tub drain. They consist of a trip lever on the overflow plate, with a stopper connected to a lift-rod underneath. The trip lever is used to both open and close the drain, making it a convenient way to fill and empty a bathtub.
When the lever is pushed down, it lifts the stopper and allows water to move freely down the drain. When the lever is pulled up, it closes the drain, trapping the water in the bathtub. Some trip lever tub drains also include a toe-tap mechanism which allows users to press down a plate located on the overflow plate, which will raise the stopper and open the drain.
What are drain stoppers called?
Drain stoppers, also known as drain plugs, strainers, or pop-up stoppers, are devices used to control the flow of water from a sink, bathtub, or shower drain. These stoppers are attached to a lever, string, or knob, which can be pressed or pulled to open or close the plug.
There are various types of drain stoppers, including pull-out types, pop-up types, trip lever types, and so on. Each type of stopper serves different functions and may be used to muffle sound, prevent flooding, and reduce water waste.
Popular materials for drain stoppers include metal, rubber, and plastic. Additionally, some stoppers are designed with water-tight seals to prevent dirt and debris from entering the drain, while others have anti-odor features to control odor in the bathroom or kitchen.
How do I remove the tub drain hardware?
Removing the tub drain hardware may be a fairly straightforward process. To begin, you’ll need to assess what type of tub drain you have. If the tub drain is a twist-and-lift-style, you’ll need to use a flathead screwdriver to remove the stopper directly above the drain.
Lift the stopper out, and then insert the screwdriver into the small hole to the side of the drain and twist it. This will typically remove the drain plug easily. If the tub drain is a toe-touch style, simply press down on the lever located at the top of the bathtub.
This should release the stopper and make it easy to remove from the tubing.
Once you’ve removed the drain plug, you’ll need to unscrew the drain hardware from the bathtub itself. Most drain hardware is secured in place with a set of screws, which will need to be removed with a Phillips-head screwdriver.
Once the screws are loose, gently lift the drain hardware away from the bathtub and set it aside.
Finally, to ensure the tub drain hardware is completely removed, use a wrench to unscrew the nut that holds the drain in place. Hold onto the nut with one hand while you loosen it with the wrench, then remove it completely and lift away the drain hardware.
Make sure to save the nut in case you need it again when you replace the tub drain hardware.
Are there different types of bathtub drains?
Yes, there are different types of bathtub drains. The type of bathtub drain you have typically depends on the age and style of your bathtub and the style of plumbing you have. The four main types of bathtub drains are toe-tap, lift-and-turn, trip-lever, and pop-up.
Toe-tap drains are the simplest style and are usually found on more traditional-style bathtubs. They typically have a small, flat disc near the bottom of the tub which needs to be pressed in with your toe to close the drain.
Lift-and-turn drains are a bit more modern than toe-tap drains. They have a stopper that fits within the fixed portion of the drain, instead of the disc. To open the drain, you turn the cap counterclockwise and to close it you turn it clockwise.
Trip-lever drain stoppers are the most modern style of drain stopper. They operate similarly to a lift-and-turn style but instead of turning the cap, you lift it up or push it down to open and close the drain.
Pop-up drains are quite common and are typically used in shower stalls. They are operated by a knob located outside the tub along with a line that goes up into the drain and connects to the stopper inside the tub.
There are some newer models that are operated by a foot or even a switch that is connected to a motorized stopper.
Do all tubs have an access panel?
No, not all tubs have an access panel. An access panel is typically a removable panel that is used for accessing components that are located behind the panel. This includes the plumbing and sometimes other components of a tub, like the valves or jets.
Some types of tubs that don’t include an access panel are drop-in tubs, undermount tubs, and freestanding tubs. These types of tubs are typically not designed to have easy access to the components located inside, as they don’t require many changes or repairs as a built-in tub might.
However, some of these designs do still include access panels, such as undermount tubs that are designed with service cuts, allowing some repair technicians an area to access smaller components.
What is a lever drain?
A lever drain is a type of drain that uses a lever to manually open and close the drain, as opposed to drains that require a manual stopper or the use of a faucet. Lever drains work by using a horizontal handle connected to a length of chain that hangs down with a stopper connected on the end.
When the handle is activated, the chain pulls the stopper up and out of the drain, allowing water to run down the drain. Lever drains are great for sinks that experience high levels of foot traffic, as they are easy to operate and are able to withstand heavy use without breaking.
Visuals alarms can also be added to lever drains to indicate when the drain is open or closed. Lever drains are also often utilized in standard laundry sinks, as they can easily be pulled open and pushed closed with minimal effort.
Is it easy to change tub drain?
No, it is not particularly easy to change a tub drain. It requires special plumbing tools, such as a basin wrench, to reach some of the hard to reach nuts and bolts. Additionally, depending on the complexity of the tub drain, it may require access to the bottom of the tub.
This may mean removing the tub drain cover, and in some cases, cutting a hole in the bottom of the tub so that you can reach the bolts from underneath. Additionally, you will need to clean any dirt and debris from the old drain in order to ensure a proper fit for the new one.
Once installed, you may need to caulk or seal the drain, making sure that the pieces are properly assembled. All this considered, changing a tub drain can require a significant amount of time and effort.
Is there a tool to take out a tub drain?
Yes – there is a tool to take out a tub drain. The tool is called a drain key or drain removal tool and it can be used to essentially ‘unscrew’ the drain from the bottom of the tub. To use the drain key, you will have to first unscrew and take out the drain stopper.
Then use the drain key to unscrew the drain from the bottom of the tub. Once you have unscrewed the drain and removed it, you can then use a pair of pliers to disconnect the drain and seal from the drain assembly.
Follow this with a clean cloth and a tool to remove any excess water or sediment that may be stuck in the drain. Finally, you will need to place a rubber washer and a brass or plastic flange over the drain pipe before putting it all back together.
Are bathtub drain stoppers universal?
No, bathtub drain stoppers are not universal. Different types of bathtub drains use different types of stoppers. Generally, drain stoppers come in two main types: pop-up stoppers and lift-and-turn stoppers.
Additionally, various Companies supply bathtub drains, and the stoppers used in their drains may be unique and not interchangeable with other manufacturers. That being said, some drain manufacturers may produce multiple types of drains with their own unique stoppers, but the stoppers still may not be interchangeable with stoppers from different manufacturers.