How to Fix a Tub Stopper

Without proper regular maintenance, a tub stopper may begin to function poorly. The result is a tub that either drains slowly or will not hold water. While there are a few varieties of tub stoppers, the typical repair requires only cleaning and minor adjustments. Drains that do not use trip levers will be easiest to fix, while drains with levers will require a little extra time, but are not any harder to work with.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Replacement rubber stopper seal
• Drain cleaner or baking soda/vinegar mixture
• Spray lubricant

Instructions

Repairing Drains Without Trip Levers

1. Remove the tub stopper. For foot-lock and roller-ball plugs, rotate the plug counterclockwise until it comes out of the drain assembly. For lift-and-turn style plugs, pull the stopper up and remove it by loosening the locking screw on its underside.

2. Examine the stopper's rubber seal for cracks and damage. Often, as these seals age, they will shrink, creating a gap that will allow water to pass through the plug. If the seal is worn, remove it from the tub stopper. Install a properly sized replacement seal by pushing it onto the underside of the plug.

3. Clean the stopper with a solvent or mixture of vinegar and baking soda to rid it of debris, dirt and hair buildup.

4. Inspect the drain for any signs of clogging and clean thoroughly to remove any obstructions that may be limiting water flow.

5. Reinstall the plug into the drain.

Repairing Drains with Trip Levers

1. Remove the overflow cover containing the drain trip lever by loosening the two screws holding it in place and pulling out. Remove the entire lever assembly from the overflow hole.

2. Clean the lever assembly and lubricate all moving parts. Straighten out any tangled links.

3. Increase the drainage rate by loosening the lock nut on the lever assembly linkage and turn the lower lift rod adapter counterclockwise. To fix a leaky drain, loosen the lock nut and turn the lift adapter clockwise.

4. Tighten the locking nut to hold the lift rod in its new position.

5. Reinstall the lever assembly into the overflow hole, being sure that the links are free of any obstruction. Reattach the overflow cover by fastening the two screws.

Tips & Warnings

• Adjust the lift rod only three or four turns at a time to avoid overcompensating and having to readjust the drain further.

• Regular cleaning of your stopper and drain will help avoid frequent problems with tub drainage.

References

• This Old House: How to Fix a Bathtub Drain Stopper
• Don Vandervort's HomeTips: Repair a Faulty Pop-Up Bathtub Stopper