tub drain repair or replace?

[topher5150]

I'm sick of looking at this ugly drain in my tub, and it's missing the plug. I was wondering is it worth it to put new parts in, if they still make them, or am I better off replacing the whole drain and plunger assembly. (this is a pic that I found on the web similar to what I have in my tub)

 

[Snoonyb]

The picture is only of a drain, w/o the the stopper, which is usually controlled by a lever and linkage.

Do you have access to the waste from either a closet behind or beneath?

 

[nealtw]

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsmnKULZv5Y[/ame]

 

[Snoonyb]

Or this product by RIDGID;https://www.ridgid.com/us/en/internal-wrench

 

[topher5150]

The picture is only of a drain, w/o the the stopper, which is usually controlled by a lever and linkage.

Do you have access to the waste from either a closet behind or beneath?

It doesn't have a stopper that's why I was debating about replacing the whole thing with something newer. I do have access, but the entrance is in kind of an odd place.

 

[Snoonyb]

Thanks. The process for replacing the stopper, or for that matter, adding a stopper is rather involved.

Either of the tools offered can be used to replace the drain trim, and you shouldn't need access to the waste and overflow.

 

[topher5150]

It probably would be easier to replace the whole thing? I don't know what parts are missing.

 

[Snoonyb]

There are some alternatives to the traditional waste and overflow, one of which is the toe touch; https://www.plumbingsupply.com/how-to-remove-a-tub-drain-stopper.html

 

[aNYCdb]

As long as you know the size of the pipe that the drain threads into you should be able to get a replacement drain at Home Depot (and a foot actuated stopper while you are at it) for not a lot of money. Just remove the old drain put plummers putty around the new one and screw it in either using a specialized tool or a long needle nose pliers until the putty squeezes out.

 

[user 4883]

There are some alternatives to the traditional waste and overflow, one of which is the toe touch; https://www.plumbingsupply.com/how-to-remove-a-tub-drain-stopper.html

Did you say OVERFLOW? Now that brings up another question. Since the drain does not have a stopper, could it be possible that the tub does not have an overflow drain?

If not, you may want to reconsider installing a stopper.

 

[aNYCdb]

Did you say OVERFLOW? Now that brings up another question. Since the drain does not have a stopper, could it be possible that the tub does not have an overflow drain?

If not, you may want to reconsider installing a stopper.

To OP: Can you take a picture of the tub setup? I can't imagine it not having an overflow, but I think a picture of everything would help in answering a number of questions that folks here might have.

 

[topher5150]

Sorry about the quality I can only take selfies

 

[nealtw]

Sorry about the quality I can only take selfies

The overflow is a chrome cover just below the spout that fills the tub.

 

[topher5150]

The overflow is a chrome cover just below the spout that fills the tub.

It's a pretty standard overflow with the little lever to open and close the drain, but it looks like it's been there since the beginning of time.

 

[Snoonyb]

There are basically 2 styles of lever action waste and overflows. One will activate a stopper at the tub drain, and the other virtually a strait up and down action that restricts the flow after the tub drain.

If you have replaced the tub drain with a step-toe device, you can eliminate the lever and linkage, and install a plain cover, which will have 1 or 2 cut-outs allowing the overflow to function normally.