Competent bathtub drain replacement service
The bathtub is one of the favourite places in the house to relax at the end of the day. It is easy to take care of, but there may come a time when the drain still needs to be replaced. Installing a new drain can enhance the look of your bathtub, eliminate leaks and improve the troublesome operation of an old, worn-out drain. Even a minor drain issue can provoke a lot of damage to your home, so it’s best to take care of it right away. The cause may be a plumbing issue under the drain itself, which will most likely require the help of a plumber to repair it.
Superior Plumbing & Heating has your back for all kinds of plumbing services, including bathtub drain replacement. With a dedicated team of certified plumbers, round-the-clock customer service, the most state-of-the-art equipment and decades of expertise behind us, we are capable of handling your plumbing issues in the blink of an eye! So what does the replacement process look like?
- Most drains are connected to the tub in two spots. The first is the regular drain at the bottom, and the second is the overflow point higher up in the tub. The drain assembly attaches to both points and directs all flow down to the siphon and eventually to the main drain pipe.
- One-point connection. Some tubs have no overflow and are simply connected at the bottom. These installations demand less time and materials; therefore, the cost is lower.
- Access to the installation site. To replace the drain, the plumber needs to have access to the area behind the tub and next to where the overflow is attached. If these areas are hidden, the plumber may have to create access panels on the floor or wall.
- New installation. When replacing an existing drain, all pipes and equipment are already in place, and installation is rather simple. When installing a new drain, additional steps may be required, such as routing new drain lines to the tub and mating with the drain assembly.
When replacing a drain, there may be some slight differences in the pipe connections or mounting of the drain assembly. This may require adaptations or modifications to the equipment. For such thorough work, it is highly recommended to contact experienced professionals. At Superior Plumbing & Heating, we have you covered for prompt, qualified and effective solutions for drain replacement with minimum disruption!
Drain and trap installation – leave it to experts
The trap is a kind of buffer between the bathtub and the sewage system, therefore, its installation is mandatory. There are some nuances you need to take into account:
- Before assembling and installing the drain and trap, the bath level, diameter and position of the drain pipe must be checked. When installing the fixture on an old metal or modern acrylic bathtub, drain holes need to be examined. Any roughness should be eliminated with sandpaper.
- If the drain is uneven, you can not ensure a tight fit to the siphon. Before the final tightening of the device, special attention should be paid to the gaskets. They often shift, so it is better to apply a special sealant to them.
- The correct slope of the pipe also provides normal operation of the drain. The drainage pipe should go directly to the manifold. If the siphon is equipped with several outlets for the drain into the collector, but they are not intended for use, they should be plugged with a special nut.
- When buying a trap, an important characteristic is the quality of its material, and if it is plastic, the main thing here is the thickness of the walls and processing technology. The thicker the walls of the drain, the better it will resist loads. On the cast-iron drain, the presence of cracks, even disguised, is unacceptable. If such defects are detected, they must be replaced. The surface of the brass siphon must be absolutely smooth; otherwise, it will have to be cleaned often.
As you can see, connecting your bathtub to the plumbing system can be tricky. Rather than googling “how to install a bathtub drain and trap,” leave it to professionals who know the exact procedure and will handle the installation proficiently. All bathtub repairs and replacements have one thing in common: if not done right the first time, they can lead to even more costly issues. You will be happy to know that Superior Plumbing & Heating delivers the best and most qualified plumbing solutions in the area! Our staff is skilled and highly competent. We know what tools and parts to bring, as well as what to do with them to get the job done right the first time and at your convenience!
Removing a tub drain – as easy as pie!
We don’t usually give bathroom drains much thought until they cause us trouble. With time, the drain gets clogged and sometimes even rusts. After all, your bathtub is put to the test every single day when you and other members of your family take a bath. There may come a day when your drain stops functioning. Drain baskets corrode over time. It may also be necessary to remove blockages, such as hairballs and other contaminants that often get stuck in these narrow plumbing openings. Visible leaks are also a sign of an issue. In that case, you will most likely have to remove a tub drain for inspection and then either thoroughly clean or completely replace it.
The process of removing the drain is not particularly difficult or time-consuming, yet there are some nuances a DIYer may not know.
- Unscrewing and cleaning a bathroom drain sometimes requires a little elbow grease. Be patient when unscrewing the drain basket from its seat, as they usually have long threads that can take several minutes to fully remove.
- Be careful not to pinch your fingers when wrenching or using pliers. When working with old, dirtier drains where mould may be found, additional precautions, such as masks or gloves, may be necessary.
- Bathtub drains can be stubborn, often due to corrosion, debris or hardened plumbing putty. Heat can help loosen it. If the tub is too cold, blow a little warm air from a heat gun or hair dryer for a couple of minutes to soften the putty before removing the drain.
- Should the drain basket break while removing, or if the basket or plug is stuck and won’t come out, it’s definitely time to call for professional help.
Whether you are removing and replacing a bathroom drain for aesthetic or practical purposes, you will need to take a few specs into account. When performing any plumbing task, you should always exercise caution and remember that a professional plumber is only a phone call away in case complications arise! By taking advantage of our plumbing repair services, you can get on with your day in no time!
Learn how to replace a tub drain, including various types of drains and how to choose the right one
The only purpose of bathtub drains is to keep water in the tub when needed and let it empty again. But did you know that the type you’re using now is not the only one? And each of them has a specially designed stopper.
Straight drains. These bathtub drains are attached directly to a metal drain pipe or floor adapter instead of a trap. They come in a variety of styles and finishes. Straight drains are easy to install by yourself in most cases.
Tower drains. These drains are often used in clawfoot tubs with overflow holes. They have an opening outlet controlled by a lever on top of the drain pipe.
Extended straight drain. This type of drain is available in three versions – lift-and-turn, pop-up, as well as with a chain and stopper. Extended straight drains are often used in freestanding bathtubs. Because they are exposed, you should choose a style that matches your bathtub.
Extended straight overflow drain with swivel head. This drain type has a pop-up drain and an innovative design that prevents water from overflowing and spilling onto the floor. It can be paired with most freestanding bathtubs, regardless of style or thickness.
There are several different types of bath drain stoppers. The most common ones are lift-and-turn, push-and-pull, pop-up, push-on, flip-on, and lever.
Whether you’re installing a new bathtub or repairing a current one, it’s essential to know every component of it. Determining the drain and stopper type will help you in a case when repair or replacement is required.
If you’re not sure, you can always ask the plumber what works best for your tub. Our experienced pros know the nuts and bolts of all drain types and will easily help you with the info and perfect solution!
Trip lever bathtub drain replacement and how to do it right!
If your tub isn’t keeping water in or is having trouble draining, it may be time to replace the drain. A trip lever drain is a type of mechanism found in many bathtub designs. Basically, the lever works as part of a mechanism that enables you to open or close the stopper, allowing you to hold the water in the tub or drain it.
When issues occur with this type of drain, it is usually for one of two reasons:
- The plunger is stuck in the overflow tube and cannot move up and down freely;
- The rod connecting the release lever to the plunger is not properly adjusted, so the lift bucket plunger does not go down enough to completely cover the overflow pipe opening.
Luckily, the trip lever drain is relatively easy for novices to replace.
- Use a screwdriver to remove the cover from the front of the tub. It is usually held on by two screws that can be easily loosened.
- If needed, adjust the linkage by lengthening the connecting rod. It will take some fiddling to get the connecting rod to the exact length.
- Insert the plug and drain tube back down through the overflow port. Install the cap on the overflow tube. Turn on the water and operate the plug a few times to make sure it works properly.
Any tub drain that fails to do its job is an unfortunate inconvenience. This issue is usually easy to fix, although the procedure depends on what type of plug is installed in your bathtub. A trip lever bathtub drain is more tricky than most to repair because of its somewhat complex mechanism.
Choosing Superior Plumbing & Heating is the best way to replace your trip lever bathtub drain. Our team of seasoned plumbers is proficient in all types of drain issues and can get the job done easily and quickly!
No bathtub is the same, and our experts are prepared to work on any type, size, shape or material. They are ready to take on any repair or installation, no matter how complicated. We work with our clients to satisfy their personal preferences and budgetary needs, providing dependable plumbing repairs they deserve!