Installing a bathtub drain and overflow
To repair a drain and overflow, the plumbing technician must access under the tub or, preferably, from behind the tub. The first step is to remove the overflow cover. Then (and this is where it starts to get tricky), the tub drain needs to be unscrewed from the shoe. The tub drain threads into the drain shoe body of the drain and overflow, making them both a tight fit in the tub. The drain plug is removed by pulling it out of the cross bars to which it is attached.
If you manage to remove the drain from the shoe, you have disconnected the drain and the tub drain (very often the drain breaks, making this a time consuming project). Once the drain is removed (you must have access to the drain from behind the tub), there is usually a slip nut that connects the drain to the drain pipe. If you don’t have access from behind, you’ll have to access from under the tub (this is where the project gets tricky and time consuming) and you’ll have to cut the drain and reassemble it. It is not unusual for a drain and overflow repair to take 6 hours or more.
Bathtub Overflow Drain Cover
The finish on the drain covers is the most common (and apparent) reason to change it. The finish tends to chip or flake. The drain and overflow cover usually has one or two screws to secure the cover to the body of the drain.
When the leak is behind the faceplate, causing water to leak down the waste pipe.
The main reason a drain and overflow leak is because the gasket behind the drain starts to break down. When the water level rises and flows towards the overflow, the water will reach any gap in the seal. The leak can show up right at the drain and overflow or run along the drain pipe and under the tub only to show up quite a ways from the actual leak, making the leak very difficult to find.
How do I fix the bathtub gasket and prevent the plumbing from leaking?
Well, there are two options. One is to remove and replace all waste and overflow, the other is to use the magic of innovation to save you time and money.
Is there an easy and inexpensive way to repair your bathtub drains and overflows?
The Ultimate Tub Drain Remodel Kit, with Ultimate Overflow Gasket, takes care of all these problems. The kit uses a patented gasket that fits on the outside of the tub and telescopes into the overflow tube avoiding a damaged gasket and eliminating leaks. Without messing up without problems! Typically, when waste and overflow are damaged, it is the tub drain that occurs. The kit also includes an all-brass lift and twist remodeled drain that snaps onto the top and then into your old drain (you do NOT need to try to unscrew the old drain and risk damaging the tub or drain assembly) . Simply unbolt and remove the old lift and swivel assembly and/or pop-up drain from the linkage. Clean with a mild detergent removing any soap or buildup, dry thoroughly, apply the acrylic bonding putty kits, place the drain on top of the old one, press, twist and let sit for 24 hours and you’re done. Complete drainage remodeling is done in 15 minutes.
Not just for repairs
The best thing about this product is that it is not just for repairs. If you’re remodeling your bathroom or refinishing your faucets, you can purchase the kit in all of the currently popular finishes. You don’t have to live with a chrome or brass drain and overflow drain/cover with new brushed nickel faucets. The Ultimate Tub Drain Remodel Kit comes in a variety of finishes including chrome, brushed nickel, stainless steel, and oil-rubbed bronze.