John Keith wrote:

Almost always we only shower in the bathtub but today I needed to fill
the tub with water. The stopper would not keep water in the tub. I
found a old posting from this group in 1999 and it had the following
suggestions:

- remove and clean the plug
- lengthen the rod
- remove the drain screen and remove hair

I have done all three. The plug was actually fairly clean. I also ran
a small sink snake down the drain (through the trip lever opening) and
removed only a very small amount of hair and then I tried a brush
designed for cleaning sink drains, again with very little crude
retrieved. (Both the snake and the brush were smaller diameter than
the pipe so I might not be getting a good cleaning action.)

What else should I try?

If the brass plug is not attached to the trip lever is there a danger
of having it fall down the drain such that it can't be removed? I'm
assuming there is an "optimum" depth the plug should be at and if
lower than that point it will not properly work.

When the stores are open tomorrow I guess I need to go in and see
exactly what the plumbing looks like behind the tub so I determine
what I'm dealing with but duggestions would certainly be very welcome
right now!


John Keith



http://www.plumbingstore.com/wasteoverflowparts.html
for exploded view.

No, the brass stopper can't "fall in".

Hang the stopper from a long coat hanger/hook.
Grease the stopper with vaseline or crisco.
Lower it in place till you feel the weight taken
off the hanger. Run water and see if it holds.
Measure the length needed if that works.

Jim