Do you have a slow draining bathtub? You might notice it when you are taking a shower and there is a pool of water at your feet. When this happens, you will need to investigate this a little closer to see what the problem is. To do this, you must properly remove the bathtub drain stopper. And then put it back on so it works effectively.
The first thing to do is to determine what type of drain stopper you have, as each one is a little different.
Toe-Touch Tub Stopper
A toe-touch tub stopper opens and closes with a touch of the toe. This is a very common type and is circular with just a flat top, no knobs or tabs.
To remove, first make sure it is open. Then, hold the base of the cylinder and turn the top cap counterclockwise. Continue to unscrew until it removes completely.
Tip: A flathead screwdriver might come in handy to help.
Push-Pull Tub Stopper
A push-pull tub stopper is also very common. This has a knob at the top and you push down to close and pull up to open.
First, remove the knob on top of the stopper. Then, hold the base while turning the knob counterclockwise. Finally, unscrew the post with a flathead and lift from the strainer.
Lift and Turn Tub Stopper
A lift and turn tub stopper are very similar to the push-pull stopper. To open and close, lift and turn the knob in opposite directions.
To remove, the stopper must be open. Slowly turn the knob counterclockwise and pull upward. If the stopper is stripped, it could make things difficult.
A flathead screwdriver or an Allen wrench will be needed to loosen the set screw. Try not to remove the screw completely, or it could fall down the drain.
No visible screw? The stopper most likely uses a channel and pin mechanism.
This can be a tricky stopper to remove, so it might be best to call your Chandler, Arizona plumber for assistance.
Working with a Trusted Plumber
Now that you have removed the drain stopper, you can inspect with a flashlight to figure out why your drain might be draining slowly. This could be caused by buildup from hair, soap or other debris in your drain.
If you don’t want to deal with this yourself, always call a plumber. Your plumber can come out and access the situation to know what needs to be done to fix it. Preventative maintenance can also prevent issues with your drain before it even starts!
Rainforest Plumbing and Air has made it their mission for the past 20 years to deliver excellent service by being timely, accurate and fair. Proudly serving the greater Phoenix area, Rainforest Plumbing and Air’s team knows what they are doing and have been around for the past two decades. You can count on us to be available at all hours of the day and night to provide preventative or reactive maintenance to all of your plumbing needs.