Bathtub Overflow Drain Leak

Loosen and remove the two screws that hold the cover plate overflowing drain in place.

Bathtub overflow drain leak. You wouldn t think a bathtub overflow drain would be the source of a water leak especially if you never fill the tub to a level at which water would enter the opening. Stop a common leak before it occurs. Plumbing plumbing directory repairs april 19 2017 sonia. A simple leaky gasket can cause a big problem.

Fix a leaking overflow drain. If this overflow cover becomes loose the problem can often be fixed merely by tightening the overflow cover on the tub or replacing the rubber gasket that seals the cover against the surface of the tub. If it does you probably have a loose connection in the drain trap or drain fitting. Check the overflow pipe.

If they re not leaking a bad overflow tube is likely to blame. If the leak is occuring where the overflow attaches to the tub you may be able to seal it. In most of these situations the homeowner is completely unaware that a problem exists and the reason for this is that leakage only occurs if the bathtub is filled above the overflow drain height water must enter the overflow drain in order for the leakage. This gasket tends to leak over the years and can cause a lot of wate.

With the cover removed you may be able to see the contact point between the tub and the seal. If no water leaks out when you turn on the faucet check for leaks in the showerhead faucet plate or tub spout. Inspecting and tightening the slip joint connections on the drain trap beneath the tub. The overflow part of a tub drain can be the bane of a homeowner s life if the overflow pipe has developed a leak or a loose connection the overflow pipe in a tub is specifically designed not to allow water to flood the bath eventually leaking through the boards and onto the ceiling of the room below but if this essential pipe has a flaw of its own then you may find the water running out of.

It s too easy to lose or turn one of the screws in the drain. Fixing the connection where the overflow tube connects to the tub and drain pipe in the wall. When a tub leak appears often the impulse is to tear out the ceiling from below in an effort to fix the drain trap when in reality it may be the overflow tube that needs tightening or a replacement gasket the overflow drain is very likely the source of your leak if you routinely bathe with the water level quite high or if you have active children who slosh water playfully while they bathe. One of the most common sources of leakage i find during my inspections is at bathtub overflow drains.

Remove the screws that hold the overflow cover in place. To repair a bathtub overflow drain gasket you will need flat screwdriver pliers putty knife caulking gun silicone caulking close the drain tub should use the plug or put a towel on it.