# Drain in bathtub doesn't work **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 2, 2019, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drain-in-bathtub-doesnt-work/830446 "2019-03-02T20:16:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2019, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drain-in-bathtub-doesnt-work/830446/1 "2019-03-02T20:16:00Z")
I have an old-fashioned trip-lever drain stopper that uses a lift-bucket plunger. ([Looks like this](https://www.thespruce.com/stuck-trip-lever-drain-stopper-3973581).) You flip the lever up to keep the tub from draining and push it down to drain the water. Over the last few weeks the drain has gradually stopped working. Apparently the plunger won’t lift free of the hole unless I hold the lever down. I took it apart and cleaned it up and adjusted the connecting rod but no change. The bolts on the connecting rod were so tight that I don’t think there’s been any slippage. Can this be fixed? Replaced with a new mechanism? Or do I need to have a plumber come in? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2019, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drain-in-bathtub-doesnt-work/830446/2 "2019-03-02T20:55:24Z")
You can replace it. It all depends on your level if expertise in plumbing. Seems to me if you take it out to clean it you surely can install a new one. If you can find a matching one. You can always remove everything and use a rubber stopper. ---
**Author:** ![Topologist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/topologist/32/3208_2.png) [@Topologist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Topologist)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2019, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drain-in-bathtub-doesnt-work/830446/3 "2019-03-02T23:07:59Z")
One thing your link doesn’t mention is that, after cleaning the plunger, you should apply plumber’s grease to it before reinstalling. That fixed a balky stopper for me. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2019, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drain-in-bathtub-doesnt-work/830446/4 "2019-03-03T01:17:55Z")
> [@Topologist](#): > > One thing your link doesn’t mention is that, after cleaning the plunger, you should apply plumber’s grease to it before reinstalling. That fixed a balky stopper for me. I don’t think that would help in this case. The problem is that the lever doesn’t stick open. Is there plumber’s glue? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2019, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drain-in-bathtub-doesnt-work/830446/5 "2019-03-05T14:10:26Z")
It should have some sort of spring that keeps the lever in the open or close position once you set it there. Maybe that spring broke and disappeared down the drain? ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2019, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drain-in-bathtub-doesnt-work/830446/6 "2019-03-05T15:09:29Z")
I had a similar situation years ago. The solution was to just replace the whole mechanism, faceplate, lever and all. I think it cost less than 20 bucks and took less than 1/2 hour. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Duality](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.duality/32/4098_2.png) [@Mr.Duality](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Duality)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2019, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drain-in-bathtub-doesnt-work/830446/7 "2019-03-05T15:12:20Z")
You may be able to do it yourself, but a surprising number of things can go wrong. The job can be made tricky by corrosion and/or lime buildup. Unless you are very handy AND the job is straightforward, get a professional. ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2019, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drain-in-bathtub-doesnt-work/830446/8 "2019-03-05T17:45:46Z")
> [@Mr.Duality](#): > > You may be able to do it yourself, but a surprising number of things can go wrong. The job can be made tricky by corrosion and/or lime buildup. Unless you are very handy AND the job is straightforward, get a professional. You don’t have to be very handy and the job is straightforward. Replace the whole mechanism for a few bucks. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2019, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drain-in-bathtub-doesnt-work/830446/9 "2019-03-05T19:29:49Z")
> [@sitchensis](#): > > You don’t have to be very handy and the job is straightforward. Replace the whole mechanism for a few bucks. Yes. The OP said he’s already adjusted the connecting rod, so he already knows how to take it apart and put it back together.