Installation of a new drain and overflow for the bathtub
Modern innovations have an impact on the field of plumbing. A standard bathtub drain is essentially a more complex design than a conventional siphon. It includes a special tube and controls attached to the overflow hole, allowing excess liquid to drain into the siphon, preventing the tub from overflowing. The design of this drainage system is virtually the same for the bathtub as it is for the sink or kitchen sink. But its installation requires special knowledge and experience.
You can try to do everything yourself, but then the result will be unknown. It is better to be reinsured and contact a professional company, Superior Plumbing & Heating, knowing that your plumbing will be safe and sound. You can contact us because our specialists are qualified and trained. We try to do everything in the best way and in the shortest time because your comfort is the main thing for us. Our specialists are experienced in installing new tub drains and overflow, so let’s see how it’s done. Installation is carried out in several stages:
- Completely wash and dry out the area.
- Check the rubber gasket located under the tub.
- To remove the current gasket, carefully pry it off with a plane screwdriver.
- Put the new gasket by pressing it into place.
- Roll out a piece of plumbing putty.
- Install the drain flange in the drain hole.
- Use a drain wrench.
- Install the bathtub stopper.
- Take off the old overflow covers and install the new one.
During the assembly of the entire structure, ensure that all connections are securely sealed. The kit includes sealing gaskets, but for reliability, our technician additionally treats all joints with silicone sealant.
How to connect the bathtub drain to the waste pipe
Have you been connecting the bathtub drain to the waste pipe on your own? Connecting the drain pipe to the tub drain is necessary to ensure that the tub does not overflow and create a mess on the bathroom floor. That’s why it’s important to make repairs in time if there are any problems.
- First, connect the T-shaped connection pipe to the overflow pipe. The overflow pipe must be adjacent to the upper part of the T-connector. Look for the drain shoe extension and connect it freely to the T-connector with a coupling nut. There will also be an unexpanded pipe at the bottom. This lower pipe then attaches to the drain pipe. Finally, tighten the coupling nut quite loosely to securely secure both pipes.
- Now it’s time to work with the rubber gasket to connect the pipes securely and accurately.
- Install the screws to connect the overflow pipe and its cover securely. Ensure to tighten them as much as possible without damaging the threads.
- This is the last step in connecting the bathtub drain to the sewer pipe.
Finally, connect the part of the drain kit under the tub to the drain pipe. There is no need to use screws or pliers to do this.
How to install a bathtub overflow
An overflow drain pipe is a fitting on your tub that prevents flooding if there is too much water and diverts it to the drain system. It may seem simple enough, but it can be one of the most difficult plumbing repairs. Installing a bathtub overflow requires a lot of time and effort that not everyone has. That’s why you need to call in a professional to save yourself a lot of unnecessary stress and thought about how to install a bathtub overflow.
Our plumber will do it all in 7 steps:
- First, the technician removes the drain fitting from the bottom of the tub.
- Next, a gasket is placed on top of the drain neck – usually, a special recess is provided for it. Then the upper part of the extended neck is pressed on the underside of the bathtub to its drainage hole. This should be positioned so that the pipe connection overflow looks in the right direction.
- A sealing ring is also placed on the drain hole on the side of the bathtub, and a protective grid is placed on top of it, which is compressed by a screw, and screwed into the nut located inside the drainage neck. The screw is tightened to create a tight-fixed connection.
- The other end of the adapter also has a nut with the threads facing outward; then, a tapered gasket is tightened. This side of the adapter connects to the sewer pipe with a corrugated pipe. The spigot of this pipe is inserted into the socket of the sewer pipe.
- In the next step to the upper end of the overflow pipe, a gasket is placed inside the securing coupling nut, and then the pipe is connected to the overflow. Connect the overflow pipe to the outlet spigot in the same way.
- It remains to install the overflow neck.
- On the side of the bathtub in the overflow hole is an installed protective grid.
Our company has been providing services for many years, and hundreds and even thousands of customers have been convinced of our high standards. All of our specialists are certified, so you can not worry about the quality of the work.
Types of bathtub drains
Before the plumber gets to work, he needs to know what type of drains you have. In total, we will consider the basic types:
Lift-and-turn bathtub drain
This plug is most often identified by the small handle on the top, which makes it easy to open and close. The installation process requires minimal effort. Simply screw it in the middle in the direction of the squeeze through the center of the drain. Never over-tighten the drain, so it doesn’t get stuck. However, if the drain does get stuck, use a flathead screwdriver.
These drains are very versatile, so they can be used on many bathtubs, such as tubs with edge mounts, vessels, and tubs with no overflow. Because of its design, this drain requires very little maintenance. All you need to do is pull the unit unevenly to remove all debris.
Push-pull Drain
The design of this drain mimics the lift-and-turn type. The installation process only requires the use of a screw to attach the body to the drain. As the name suggests, all you need to do is open and close the drain by pushing and pulling it. What’s more, its design allows it to last a long time with minimal maintenance.
Toe-Touch Bathtub Drain
This model also mimics the aforementioned type. Although it features a spring, its installation is the same as the other models. This means that it’s very easy to use, just as if you were walking into the tub. You open and close it just by pushing it in with one finger of your foot. The great thing about this type is that it is easy to care for. However, the spring needs to be replaced after a few years of use.
Flip-It Bathtub Drain
You won’t need tools to use this type in any bathtub. Fasten it to the drain, and the included rings make it secure and airtight. It’s also easy to use, as you just need to move the mounting lever from one side to the other to open or close it.
Lever drain
Another type that stands out is the lever drain model. It has levers located on the front side of the tub. The drain of this unit also has a strainer. Unlike other types of drains, it is quite complicated when it comes to removing them for cleaning. This process involves removing it from the plate.
Lattice drain
This type of drain does not have a plug; instead, its surface is a lattice. The holes in it will prevent the tub from overflowing. The design prevents small objects from entering the drain. Consequently, it is not prone to clogging. It is easy to service thanks to its large number of removable parts.
Retractable drain
This is one of the most popular types. It consists of two parts: an outer sleeve and an inner plug on a long lever. By pulling the plug down, you close the drain, allowing the tub to fill with water. There are pop-up drains that have some sort of device on the back of the tub to control the drain. The latter versions open and close when the user touches the device.
How to replace drain pipe under a bathtub
Even high-quality drain pipes fail over time and begin to leak. For these reasons, replacing bathroom pipes sooner or later becomes a necessity. Then our company is at your service; we will do all the work for a reasonable price. If you’re thinking about how to replace a drain pipe under a bathtub, then our repair will consist of the following stages. The first phase will certainly be the dismantling of the old system. So disconnect and remove the plumbing fixtures. If the sewer line is arranged by the concealed method, then it is necessary to have free access to it. Then cut off the water supply to the house, and the old sewer pipes are cut off with a grinder. The next steps are:
- A rubber sleeve is inserted into a tee’s socket, and then the joint is carefully treated with sealant.
- Fasten the pipes at all joints.
- At the same time, it is necessary to control that there are no fractures in the area of the joints.
- And the last thing to change is to check it for leaks.
To ensure that the water supply system works at the proper level, it is necessary to periodically replace the plumbing pipes in the bathroom. If you don”t have enough skills for such a process, you can ask for help from a professional. Replacement of water pipes in the bathroom by a qualified specialist will save you from further problems with the water supply. We provide a full cycle of plumbing services, so our customers receive services quickly, at affordable fixed prices, with all the guarantees. The arsenal of the master, who arrived on request, has all the tools and parts needed to replace the drain pipe under the bathtub, so if you contact us, your sewer will be in good hands.
