How Does A Bathtub Drain Work

There are many types of bathtub drain stoppers on the market.

How does a bathtub drain work. Identifying which type you have will help you when it becomes necessary to fix or replace your drain stopper. Both are operated by a trip lever at the overflow drain. Both drains are connected to tubes which meet beneath the bathtub and merge into a single pipe. Understanding how a specific type of drain stopper works can help you decide whether it suits your purposes.

Some kinds of drain stoppers can make it rather tricky to routinely clean out the drain of hair and debris. The main drain may have a plug stopper or a mechanical stopper operated by a lever but the overflow never has a stopper. To close and open the drain two different assemblies are common. This means that it continuously drains water that reaches its level.

If you have to hold your drain lever down for the tub to drain it is more than likely the tension spring on the back of the overflow plate. The overflow drain can work effectively if the pipes are not clogged and if the water level stays several inches beneath the rim of the bathtub. Unlike many other drains the overflow does not have a mechanism that stops the flow of water. You can replace just this plate at your hardware store for a few dollars.

Fairly simple drain system. The main drain is at the bottom of the tub and the overflow is a few inches below the rim. Here are a few bathtub drain schematics and bathtub plumbing diagrams.