How to Keep Your Tub From Draining Without a Stopper

How to Keep Your Tub From Draining Without a Stopper

There’s nothing like drawing a hot bath and taking some time to relax. But what if you’ve got your bubble bath, book, and beverage ready, only to discover that you’ve lost or broken your drain stopper? It’s a small but frustrating problem, especially because you’d probably rather have a soak than head to the hardware store for a replacement. In this quick guide, we’ll explain how to close a bathtub drain without a stopper.

What to Do if Your Bathtub Drain Stopper Is Broken

Ideally, you can completely fix your broken bathtub drain stopper, resolving the issue for good and ensuring many happy baths in your future. Bear in mind that, sometimes, a stopper becomes damaged beyond repair, which means you’ll have to resort to some DIY methods that we’ll detail below. But first, see if the following troubleshooting steps help fix the issue:

  • Step 1: Place a drop cloth in the tub to make sure you don’t scratch the finish with tools and hardware.
  • Step 2: Use a screwdriver to unscrew the plate holding your trip lever.
  • Step 3: Remove the stopper assembly from the bathtub fixture.
  • Step 4: See if you can spot any visual problems on the stopper assembly, such as misalignment or damage to the threaded rod.
  • Step 5: If you don’t see obvious damage, try lowering the stopper height by turning the bottom lock nut on the threaded rod downward.
  • Step 6: Turn the adapter that the drain plunger hangs from until it’s touching the bottom lock nut.
  • Step 7: Now, lower the top lock nut so it’s snug against the adapter.
  • Step 8: Reinsert the stopper assembly.
  • Step 9: Screw the plate back into place.
  • Step 10: Remove your tools, close the stopper, and try filling the tub with water.
  • Step 11: If the tub fills and no longer drains, then you’re all done! If not, repeat the process, lowering the plunger bit by bit until the tub no longer drains.

Easy Ways to Close Your Bathtub Drain Without a Stopper

If the previous repair steps didn’t work (or you don’t feel like pulling out your toolkit during your me-time), all hope is not lost for a relaxing bath. Here are a few easy DIY tips on how to stop water from draining in the bathtub long enough to enjoy a soak, none of which risk damage to your plumbing system.

Washcloth or sponge

A common way to stop your bathtub from draining without a proper stopper is to use a washcloth or sponge. Choose a makeshift stopper that is larger than your drain, and get it damp. Wring out the excess water, then tightly roll it up into a cylinder. Stuff it into your drain, twisting while you push it to ensure a tight seal, and run your bath as normal!

This isn’t a perfect solution, as water will eventually seep through the material, but it usually works well enough to enjoy a bath. Just don’t rely on this method for too long, or you’ll start to see an increase in your water bills

Bag full of water

For a slightly more reliable solution, find a small, heavy-duty plastic bag (freezer bags are great for this) and fill it most of the way up with water, leaving some empty space. Seal the bag, squeezing out as much excess air as you can. This ensures the weight of the water will deform the bag, which will help make a better seal on your drain. Then, simply lay the bag on the drain and let its weight form a seal, then run your bath!

Jar lid

Here’s a clever trick you may not have thought of: Using the suction power of a jar lid as your drain plug! Find a jar lid that is larger than the diameter of your circular drain, dampen the underside, and place it on top of the drain. Push it down, then press down on the button in the center to form an airtight suction seal.

Balloon

This one is a little trickier, but can have great results. Inflate a balloon so that it’s just slightly larger than the diameter of your drain, tying it off when you’re done. Then, simply dampen the balloon and carefully slide it as far down the drain as you can get it without popping the balloon. You can also place a heavier object on top to stop the balloon from getting pushed out of the drain.

Silicone baking tools

You may not have a drain plug, but there’s a good chance you have a silicone baking mat or muffin tin liner lying around. Silicone is waterproof, making it a great choice for an impromptu drain stopper. Simply wet the silicone and firmly press it against the drain to form a seal, placing a heavy object on top to keep it in place.

Modified drain cover

Lastly, you can try modifying a mesh drain cover or strainer (both of which are great for reducing the need for professional drain cleaning by keeping harmful items and substances out of your pipes) to act as a makeshift stopper. Make sure it’s clean, then place it snugly in the drain. Then, simply place a jar full of water or something else heavy to cover the mesh part, and run your bath. Water will seep out over time, but it should be slow enough to still enjoy a soak.

Duct tape

In a real pinch, you can try sealing your bathtub drain with duct tape, though this will probably seep water faster than the other methods above. But if you’re set on taking a bath and don’t have a plug handy, this method can be a lifesaver.

When to Replace Your Bathtub Drain Stopper

If you’ve lost your tub stopper, you’ll naturally need to replace it eventually. The same goes for damaged stoppers that allow too much water to seep out, making it hard to enjoy a bath. Fortunately, this is a very inexpensive part to replace, usually costing a few dollars. Compared to the expense of other drain repairs or even cleaning drains to remove an unpleasant smell, this is a simple, cheap, and DIY-friendly job that you can do in just a few minutes.

Enjoy Your Tub Again with Ricky Heath!

Whether it’s a simple issue like a broken drain stopper or something more troublesome, issues with your bathtub can seriously cut into your relaxation time. The plumbing professionals from Ricky Heath are here to help, offering comprehensive bathtub repair and maintenance services to ensure it’s ready for use whenever you want it. For more info or to schedule a plumbing service appointment, contact us today

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