Plumber's - Is there a Plumber in the Garden? - Help

Patsy Warnick · Post by **Patsy Warnick** » Mon Jul 07, 2014 12:48 pm

It's the plug in the Bath Tub - it's stuck.

The tub has the handle mechanism - push the handle down & the tub is plugged.

Pull the handle up to unplug the tub.

The handle won't pull up - so the drain is plugged.

We took the chrome plate off and sprayed WD-40 - won't move.

We sprayed the arm mechanism with a Liquid Wrench product - won't move.

It's frozen..!

Any suggestions?

Help

Patsy

AnneBoleyn · Post by **AnneBoleyn** » Mon Jul 07, 2014 1:14 pm

Call in a Real Plumber.

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Mon Jul 07, 2014 1:28 pm

Boiling water to expand the metal.

Patsy Warnick · Post by **Patsy Warnick** » Mon Jul 07, 2014 2:35 pm

Thanks Fourpart We will try the boiling hot water trick.

We had a Plumber working on the plug problem - He said this is a first for him and He didn't want the problem to win - so He came back over and worked on it.

Plumber said - I don't know Patty - We may have to remove the TUB.!! not a option.:-1

We've used a large magnet to help pull - won't move..

so - we've now been advised to use some Liquid Plumber Drain cleaner.

I'll let you know

Thanks

Patsy

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Mon Jul 07, 2014 2:47 pm

The mechanism will be behind the tub and that is what you need to get to - it sounds like the linkages are seized and need a bit of gentle persuasion.

Post by **LarsMac** » Mon Jul 07, 2014 3:22 pm

Patsy Warnick;1459439 wrote: Thanks Fourpart We will try the boiling hot water trick.

We had a Plumber working on the plug problem - He said this is a first for him and He didn't want the problem to win - so He came back over and worked on it.

Plumber said - I don't know Patty - We may have to remove the TUB.!! not a option.:-1

We've used a large magnet to help pull - won't move..

so - we've now been advised to use some Liquid Plumber Drain cleaner.

I'll let you know

Thanks

Patsy

I am fairly certain that THAT is a bad idea. If you haven't done so, yet, I would suggest thinking about it some more.

This is NOT a problem that chemicals will solve.

Bruv · Post by **Bruv** » Mon Jul 07, 2014 3:29 pm

Is the tub enclosed?

Can you take off the side panel and look at the mechanism with a torch (flashlight)?

It is possibly as simple as a nut having loosened on the adjustment.

along-for-the-ride · Post by **along-for-the-ride** » Mon Jul 07, 2014 3:34 pm

Bryn Mawr;1459440 wrote: The mechanism will be behind the tub and that is what you need to get to - it sounds like the linkages are seized and need a bit of gentle persuasion.

Just get you a glass of chilled white wine and listen to some jazz, Patsy.

Patsy Warnick · Post by **Patsy Warnick** » Mon Jul 07, 2014 3:43 pm

We can see the arm mechanism that's suppose to lift up.

it's not a nut or bolt adjustment.

Bruv - a toggle handle in the tub is what one uses to plug or unplug the tub - and the actual arm your trying to lift can be seen - & touched and is still hooked to the plug - it just won't budge.

Is my tub enclosed - yes, with beautiful tile and the Tub is a jet/ Jacuzzi tub.

Bryn - your right - it's frozen in plug position. Our plumber tried that gentle persuasion.

right now we're trying that Liquid Drain cleaner - maybe some thing around the plug will give?

Patsy

Bruv · Post by **Bruv** » Mon Jul 07, 2014 3:49 pm

Could you photograph it and show us all?

Patsy Warnick · Post by **Patsy Warnick** » Mon Jul 07, 2014 6:44 pm

Bruv

A picture would show you a hole at the end of the tub

the hole is the size of a tennis ball - not much room to work in.

Patsy

Bruv · Post by **Bruv** » Tue Jul 08, 2014 2:08 am

Patsy Warnick;1459457 wrote: Bruv

A picture would show you a hole at the end of the tub

the hole is the size of a tennis ball - not much room to work in.

Patsy

Then any levers or mechanism is somewhere else.

We don't need to see the cosmetic finish to the tub, but the 'workings' underneath the bonnet so to speak........that will be where the problem can be found, I suspect.

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Tue Jul 08, 2014 2:12 am

I found this link - not that it's likely to be any real help:

How to Fix a Bathtub or Sink Pop-up Stopper | HomeTips

I also found a comment on another forum that may be worth considering.

If you live in a Hard Water area (if in the UK, generally to the South) it is possible that the works have been scaled up, in which case, soaking it overnight in a descaler, such as Scaleaway (or even vinegar) may do the trick. The post also mentioned that older tubs are often subject to corrosion, so I'm not sure if the same remedy would work in this instance. If it was I imagine the WD40 would have already fixed that possibility. Either way, a try at a descaler wouldn't do any harm - vinegar certainly wouldn't although, obviously, a proper descaler would be likely to do a better job.

Living in a very hard water area myself I regularly need to descale my kettle & coffee machine, which is why I keep a supply of Scale-Away sachets handy. The stuff works wonders. Just mix in with a jug of hot water, leave overnight & in the morning you're left with a brand new shiny element. Of course, for that sort of thing it then requires a lot of rinsing through afterwards, but that's no problem.

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Tue Jul 08, 2014 2:14 am

Patsy Warnick;1459449 wrote: We can see the arm mechanism that's suppose to lift up.

it's not a nut or bolt adjustment.

Bruv - a toggle handle in the tub is what one uses to plug or unplug the tub - and the actual arm your trying to lift can be seen - & touched and is still hooked to the plug - it just won't budge.

Is my tub enclosed - yes, with beautiful tile and the Tub is a jet/ Jacuzzi tub.

Bryn - your right - it's frozen in plug position. Our plumber tried that gentle persuasion.

right now we're trying that Liquid Drain cleaner - maybe some thing around the plug will give?

Patsy

Corrosives at the plug end will not help, you need lubricants on the joints of the activating mechanism.

Post by **jones jones** » Tue Jul 08, 2014 11:02 am

Just stay in the tub and keep adding hot water hun!

Patsy Warnick · Post by **Patsy Warnick** » Tue Jul 08, 2014 12:22 pm

Bryn

Plumber was aggressive and was afraid of breaking the joint/arm so we've sprayed with the lubricants - all day - it's frozen.

Fourpart

We're in hard water Country and I never thought of the hard water being a problem so I will try a descale solution & will check out the link.

Makes sense the hard water could contribute to seizing the actual plug - but if that arm/joint mechanism doesn't move to the up position !!!

Oh, I see this problem opening a can of Mess - like a bathroom redo and a unnecessary one.

Not sure what to do - Several Plumbers have NO answer :-1

I have a headache :wah:

Patsy

AnneBoleyn · Post by **AnneBoleyn** » Tue Jul 08, 2014 1:56 pm

Wow, Patsy the problem seems so simple, yet it's becoming a great hassle & expense! No wonder you have a headache!

cars · Post by **cars** » Tue Jul 08, 2014 2:27 pm

Patsy Warnick;1459486 wrote: Bryn

Plumber was aggressive and was afraid of breaking the joint/arm so we've sprayed with the lubricants - all day - it's frozen.

Fourpart

We're in hard water Country and I never thought of the hard water being a problem so I will try a descale solution & will check out the link.

Makes sense the hard water could contribute to seizing the actual plug - but if that arm/joint mechanism doesn't move to the up position !!!

Oh, I see this problem opening a can of Mess - like a bathroom redo and a unnecessary one.

Not sure what to do - Several Plumbers have NO answer :-1

I have a head ache :wah:

Patsy

Patsy, (not a plumber here) but be careful of using harsh chemicals if you haven't already. If drain is plugged, harsh chemical water won't go down, and now you have the problem of "removing" that chemical water manually. If all else fails, as last resort, try to drill out a hole in the stopper to let the water go down the drain. Of course the stopper will no longer work, but at least the water will go down. Actually I've seen rubber flat plate type stoppers that could cover the tub hole to hold water in it. Sounds drastic, but seems like a drastic situation.

Patsy Warnick · Post by **Patsy Warnick** » Tue Jul 08, 2014 2:58 pm

Cars

We can't get to the stopper/plug.

We have a small pump which We drain tub water out the bathroom window.

If we could get to the actual plug & drill it - remove it - or just get it to pull up but We can't. I can get any other plug for the tub.

The actual arm mechanism won't move - can't get to the plug without removing a tile wall or the tub itself.:-1

We're still calling around for a Plumber's idea?

Thanks

Patsy

Bruv · Post by **Bruv** » Tue Jul 08, 2014 3:29 pm

Are you saying the levers/mechanism is permanently tiled over ?

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Tue Jul 08, 2014 4:02 pm

Bruv;1459514 wrote: Are you saying the levers/mechanism is permanently tiled over ?
I doubt it, but I can imagine the access problem, as it's likely to be right up against the wall. I have a similar problem with mine. The Coucil recently refurbished all the bathroom with new fancy fittings (not that there was anything wrong with the old ones). The toilet is too small. The plinth on the basin is too short. The bath is too narrow, which is not helped by the fact that they have a pair of silly chrome handles on the sides, which serve no practical purpose, other than cosmetic (being in the centre of the bath, they're too far up too grab on to in order to pull yourself up, as by the time you sit up, they're behind you), but even more annoying about these handles is that they've already worked loose & now rattle to the touch. Not only is the Right side practically impossible to get to, being against the wall, but the entire unit has been silicone sealed as well, which also makes the Left side impossible to get to without stripping all the sealant. Even if the sealant were to be stripped & the panels removed, then there would be further problems in moving the bath out, as the pipes have all been permanently plumbed in, using solder joints, as opposed to screw ones.

Once they're in, they're not meant to come out.

cars · Post by **cars** » Tue Jul 08, 2014 4:47 pm

Ok, I could not picture what the problem was Patsy. So I took my tub strainer off and looked down into the tub drain hole. I now see the problem, the stopper seems like it's at a right angle behind the tub opening. So maybe you plumber can use a right angle drill to drill a hole in the plug, again distroying the plug. There are many right angle drills out there. See picture below for example. There might be flexible shaft drills out there too. Good luck, in what ever you decide to do.

Patsy Warnick · Post by **Patsy Warnick** » Tue Jul 08, 2014 5:47 pm

Bruv

yes, the wall the tub is up against the faucet/handles & plug mechanism are in the wall.

The wall is tile - the actual toggle lever for the plug has a small chrome plate around it.

Take that chrome plate off - tennis ball size hole to work with. or in.

Cars - good idea - I'll mention the drill to our plumber. The drill may even pull the stopper up?

If this isn't enough - Sunday my Air Conditioning went out. - OMG - I spent $ 368.00

without leaving the house.

Bread & water the rest of the month for dinner...:wah:

Patsy

Patsy Warnick · Post by **Patsy Warnick** » Tue Jul 08, 2014 7:09 pm

Talking about the drill idea - We just can't lose the stopper/plug - if it gets lodged.?

I don't know -- very nervous about the whole problem..

Patsy

cars · Post by **cars** » Wed Jul 09, 2014 12:19 am

Found video below that explains mechanics of tub plug. Maybe Linkage could be broken, or maybe plug stuck to inside of tube due to hard water deposits, or ???

How to Fix a Bathtub Drain Stopper | Video | This Old House

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Wed Jul 09, 2014 4:27 am

cars;1459526 wrote: Found video below that explains mechanics of tub plug. Maybe Linkage could be broken, or maybe plug stuck to inside of tube due to hard water deposits, or ???

How to Fix a Bathtub Drain Stopper | Video | This Old House
Interesting video. However, I found it wouldn't play on Firefox, but was ok on IE.

cars · Post by **cars** » Wed Jul 09, 2014 7:32 am

Strange, since I'm using Firefox.

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Wed Jul 09, 2014 10:52 am

cars;1459538 wrote: Strange, since I'm using Firefox.
Must be different Plugins.

cars · Post by **cars** » Thu Jul 10, 2014 4:32 am

After looking at the tub repair video, and now seeing how the plug works in the tube, drilling a hole into the plug won't work. As plug "lifts up" in tube to let the water go down drain. So looks like the job can only be done through the lever plate hole.

Just guessing now, but after putting WD40 & liquid wrench down the hole to loosen it up & it didn't work, would seem like it's a jamed or broken linkage issue.

In the meantime, maybe try products like "Lime a Way", CLR, and or other similar products into the lever hole, that are specifically designed to disolve water deposits.

Patsy Warnick · Post by **Patsy Warnick** » Thu Jul 10, 2014 2:09 pm

Well,:-1 :-1 :-1

Oh, Life is good.!! Our Renters called - sewer/drain problems.

Hubby & I run over & Plumber on the way - not good.

The Sewer Line from the house to the street has collapsed - It's Rolled Tar Paper.

Rolled Tar Paper was used as pipe - sewer lines in the 60's.

We have to replace all Tar Paper with pipe.

Part of the PIPE/Tar Paper is under the house & will need a JACK HAMMER in the house.

It's not a CHEAP JOB.

So - since we had a plumber here comes my Bath Tub Plug Problem. Really !!!

Why did I ask after all the above Good News..!

The wall will need to be broken into & hopefully the whole wall won't need to come down - and releasing the actual plug in the tub line is still risky. This Plumber has done a couple of these & stated he's in no hurry to do another.

Plumber stated to use CLR - & others to try & work the plug and to Lubricate the arm mechanism and be very careful.

So - what's every one else doing for FUN..!!:wah:

Patsy

Bruv · Post by **Bruv** » Thu Jul 10, 2014 2:17 pm

Patsy Warnick;1459616 wrote: So - what's every one else doing for FUN..!!:wah:

Patsy

Visiting your thread and feeling happy with their lot?

Patsy Warnick · Post by **Patsy Warnick** » Thu Jul 10, 2014 3:35 pm

Bruv

No that's funny:wah:

Looking in from the outside I'd say - "better her than me":yh_rotfl

But it is me..!

The cost for the Rental House sewer line $ 7000.00

and then the mess - new flooring etc..

I might have to put the Renters in a Hotel - OMG..

Please some one make me laugh....:wah:

Thanks Bruv

Patsy

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Thu Jul 10, 2014 4:28 pm

It's probably asking the obvious, but is there any way of claiming on insurance?

Patsy Warnick · Post by **Patsy Warnick** » Thu Jul 10, 2014 5:18 pm

Fourpart

Nope

Hubby & I are going over to the Renters tonight - volunteer to help them pack up - discuss the whole job - check on the amount of extra tile to re-tile the floors.

This is making me sick

I wish I could take a Calgon Take Me Away BATH.:yh_rotfl

Patsy

cars · Post by **cars** » Thu Jul 17, 2014 3:20 am

Wow it's a week now, and still no input, hope you're not under water!

Patsy Warnick · Post by **Patsy Warnick** » Thu Jul 17, 2014 3:02 pm

Wow - is right Cars.

Update - Rental house - workers started Monday - We now have the front yard dug and they jackhammered the Bathroom. They laid a tarp in the bath tub to collect all the dirt that was dug up after the jackhammer.

Today they are installing the new pipe.

Then they put all the dirt back in the house & in the front yard.

Next they will pour a new slab of concrete in the bathroom - and we'll need to tile the floor @ 2 to 3 pieces of 16" tile and install a new toilet.

The bathroom floor isn't all that bad - the hole it's large & deep.

My imagination of this jackhammer in the house was really making me sick - I was so nervous - but all has gone pretty smooth so far.

Looking forward to this being DONE.

I just want my Bath Tub UNPLUGGED..:-1

Patsy

cars · Post by **cars** » Thu Jul 17, 2014 6:39 pm

WOW! Have to say it again WOW. You sure have your hands full, hope all works out in the end. Best of luck.

AnneBoleyn · Post by **AnneBoleyn** » Fri Jul 18, 2014 7:40 am

Patsy! What an unbelievable mess! & it seemed to be a simple problem! Oy Vay!

Bruv · Post by **Bruv** » Fri Jul 18, 2014 8:08 am

Patsy Warnick;1460213 wrote: Wow - is right Cars.

Update - Rental house - workers started Monday - We now have the front yard dug and they jackhammered the Bathroom. They laid a tarp in the bath tub to collect all the dirt that was dug up after the jackhammer.

Today they are installing the new pipe.

Then they put all the dirt back in the house & in the front yard.

Next they will pour a new slab of concrete in the bathroom - and we'll need to tile the floor @ 2 to 3 pieces of 16" tile and install a new toilet.

The bathroom floor isn't all that bad - the hole it's large & deep.

My imagination of this jackhammer in the house was really making me sick - I was so nervous - but all has gone pretty smooth so far.

Looking forward to this being DONE.

I just want my Bath Tub UNPLUGGED..:-1

Patsy

So this is one of two jobs nearly done, but you still have not solved the bath plug problem yet ?

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Fri Jul 18, 2014 2:26 pm

Bruv;1460241 wrote: So this is one of two jobs nearly done, but you still have not solved the bath plug problem yet ?
I can't help feeling it would be cheaper & easier to get a new bath.

Patsy Warnick · Post by **Patsy Warnick** » Fri Jul 18, 2014 9:16 pm

The bath tub plug problem is my house.

This new sewer line mess is at my Rental property.

Now to replace my bath tub as you seem would be a easy solution - it's a jet tub Jacuzzi so now we'll need to deal with all the tubing / motor etc.. and a all new tile around - just a new redo.

We haven't had any luck with the stuck bath tub plug. The plug it self is soaking in junk solution & the arm mechanism is sprayed with solutions and we'll probably ask one of the Plumbing crew for suggestions.

I have a headache - My Rental property was a doll house inside & out - Oh, this is just a little set back.

Thanks for every ones suggestions - help and if you hear of any solution to my bath tub plug problem let me know.

We may have to replace the bath tub - I can't deal with that today - too much..

Thanks

Patsy

AnneBoleyn · Post by **AnneBoleyn** » Sat Jul 19, 2014 8:09 am

Since you're renting, shouldn't the expense be paid by your landlords, the actual owners?

Post by **LarsMac** » Sat Jul 19, 2014 9:32 am

AnneBoleyn;1460308 wrote: Since you're renting, shouldn't the expense be paid by your landlords, the actual owners?

You missed part of the conversation, I fear. They ARE the landlords.

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Sat Jul 19, 2014 5:26 pm

LarsMac;1460313 wrote: You missed part of the conversation, I fear. They ARE the landlords.
That's how I understood it as well. I read it as renting 'out' - although that might have been misinterpretation. Easy done.

Patsy Warnick · Post by **Patsy Warnick** » Fri Aug 01, 2014 12:52 pm

GUESS WHAT ?

My Hubby pulled with all his might and the PLUG came out.....Yippee :guitarist

I suppose having the plug soaking in solution & the arm dripping with solution for a month helped...

I'm so happy... We're off to be contestants on "The Price is Right" show.

I'll let you know if I get to spin the silly wheel.

So glad to have that headache over - the rental house is done also.

Patsy

Post by **LarsMac** » Fri Aug 01, 2014 12:57 pm

Yay!!

Glad you got it fixed.

AnneBoleyn · Post by **AnneBoleyn** » Fri Aug 01, 2014 12:58 pm

Yay!!!

Bruv · Post by **Bruv** » Fri Aug 01, 2014 2:55 pm

What drama a bath plug can cause........thank goodness that's over.

Don't let your Hubby spin the wheel, with his new found strength it may take hours to stop.

cars · Post by **cars** » Fri Aug 01, 2014 6:21 pm

Patsy Warnick;1461133 wrote: GUESS WHAT ?

My Hubby pulled with all his might and the PLUG came out.....Yippee :guitarist

I suppose having the plug soaking in solution & the arm dripping with solution for a month helped...

I'm so happy... We're off to be contestants on "The Price is Right" show.

I'll let you know if I get to spin the silly wheel.

So glad to have that headache over - the rental house is done also.

Patsy

As the saying goes, "good things come to those who wait"! Well done hubby. Now, good luck on the PIR and on the wheel.