Tub Won’t Hold Water?
Nothing ruins bath time like a constant draining tub. It should be an easy fix, depending on the issue. Here are some steps to help get that bathtub back to doing what it does best — holding water.
The Usual Culprit
The usual culprit is the drain stopper. Even if it seems like the drain stopper is all the way down when you have water in the tub, there could be a few issues that’s letting water seep through. Follow these steps to check it:
- You need to first take off the cap of the stopper. Depending on what type you have, you may be able to simply unscrew it or you may need a flat head screwdriver.
- Once you have that opened, check to see if there is a rubber washer or gasket that needs replacement or some general rust and corrosion.
If neither of these issues seem to apply, then the problem may be the linkage assembly that connects the stopper and overflow tube.
The Linkage Assembly
Above the stopper, you should see a cover plate and a trip lever. Unscrew and the former and lift the latter up and out to reveal the linkage chain. You need to make sure that the link is not tangled and that the little u-shaped hook attaching the top and bottom parts of the assembly is intact. A magnet might be necessary for these steps. The main goal is to make sure that the plunger at the end of the assembly in the overflow tube can function normally.
If none of the above is working, the overflow tube itself could also be the issue. Tightening the tube or replacing the gasket you see when you remove the overflow cover plate should work. Having pliers on hand for removing the old gasket and caulk on hand to seal in the new one is a smart idea.
Going through these steps can take up to three hours. And that’s not including the time it takes to assemble the tools. So if you want to sit back and relax as a pro handles the hassle for you, call 781.780.3184 today to get a Waldman plumber.