QA

Question: How To Install A New Tub Drain

Is it difficult to replace a tub drain?

Bathtub drain removal and replacement can be an easy task, regardless of the type of bathtub you own. Once you know the appropriate steps for how to remove a tub drain, you can even replace the bathtub drain with a different style of drain that better suits your needs.

How do you replace a bathtub drain assembly?

Replacing Bath Tub Drain Step 1: Choose Your Tools. Step 2: Remove the Old Drain. Step 3: Clean the Seating Area and Apply Fresh Plumbers Putty. Step 4: Insert the New Drain. Step 5: Remove Excess Putty and Install the Drain Plug. Step 6: Test Out Your Finished Repair. 3 Comments.

How do you hook up a bathtub drain?

Do you need plumbers putty on a tub drain?

For the drain itself, plumber’s putty is the best solution. The material makes waterproof seals with wet surfaces. If you need to seal the drain pipe, though, you’ll want to use silicone. Caulk is important to sealing pipes because it creates watertight seals that don’t wash away.

Are all bathtub drains the same size?

Thanks to the standardization, any bathtub drain can fit any standard bathtub between 14 and 26 inches in depth. The size of the drain is standardized because it needs to fit to the P-trap, which is the next component of the drain.

Are tub drains universal?

Bathtub drains are 1 1/2 inches wide and fit all standard bathtubs ranging from 14 to 26 inches deep. They are this size because they must fit the opening of the P-trap — also 1 1/2 inches wide — which is a special pipe that has a sharp bend in it.

Does a tub drain need AP Trap?

P-traps are S-shaped pipe components that keep toxic sewer gases from escaping into your residence. They are required on all plumbing fixtures, including sinks, tubs and showers. A bathtub trap begins at the end of the tub drain assembly, where it is glued onto a fitting screwed to the drain outlet.

How does a tub pop up drain work?

Bathtub drains have two legs, one to the main drain opening and the other to the overflow drain opening. With a pop-up drain, linkage forces the drain stopper up or down by way of a rocker arm. With the plunger type, a hollow brass plunger slides up and down inside the drain assembly to seal the drain opening.

Should I use plumbers putty with a rubber gasket for bathtub drain?

No. Plumbers putty is old school. Many plumbers use only the rubber gasket included with faucets, pop-ups and tub wastes. Plumbers putty is cheap but it will dry out and crack quicker than rubber gaskets.

Is it better to use plumbers putty or silicone?

Plumber’s putty and silicone are two types of plumbing compounds that you can use to prevent leaks and create watertight seals for plumbing fixtures. Putty offers more flexibility and easier removal, but silicone caulking creates a stronger waterproof and weatherproof seal.

What do you use to seal a bathtub drain?

Plumber’s putty forms a tight, waterproof seal in wet areas around bathtub plumbing. If you are unable to access the underside of the drainage pipe below the tub, you can use silicone caulk on the exposed area of the drain to help create a watertight seal.

What size pipe is used for bathtub drain?

The proper size for both a bathtub drain and trap is 1 1/2 inches in diameter, regardless of the bathtub size.

How do I know what size tub drain I need?

Measure from the piping section where it branches out toward the drain over to the drain hole and write that horizontal distance measurement down. That will give you the length and width that is needed for your drain. Your local hardware or home improvement store should carry a bathtub drain that fits your needs.

Can a tub and shower share the same drain?

Yes, they will both be using the same drain pipe at somepoint inside or outside of your house. But the the pipes must join well below the level of both items or the pipe must be large enough for the combined flow, otherwise when you put water down one of them, it will flow out of the other!.

What is a tub drain assembly?

A bathtub drain assembly is a series of plumbing parts that transport the waste water from a bathtub, feeding the water into a large drainpipe. PVC is a popular material for bathtub drains.

Are all bathtub drains in the same spot?

All bathtubs drain in basically the same way, with a drain assembly located on the bottom of the tub linked to an overflow that may or may not have a toggle switch. When the plunger or stopper is opened, water drains out of the bathtub, through the drain assembly, down a tailpiece and into the trap.

Are all tub drains in the same spot?

The position of the tub drain will vary, depending on the size and design of the tub, and you’ll need to cut an access hole in the floor at the drain end of the tub to allow for positioning and installing the drain line.

How far is a bathtub drain from the wall?

Bathtub Drain Measurements The drain hole should be a minimum of 12 inches away from the wall and 9 inches in scope. To rough in the drain, use a 1.5-inch pipe.

Does a bathtub drain need a vent?

Bathtubs should have a vent to help drain wastewater properly. All drains in your bathroom, from your bathtub to your toilet, need a plumbing vent stack. Without a proper vent, you may hear gurgling pipes, smell a putrid odor, or notice slow-draining water.

How far can p-trap be from shower drain?

The maximum distance between the shower drain and the P-trap is 5 feet. However, the P-trap should be as close to the shower drain inlet as possible. You should even have the P-trap directly under the shower drain for the best results.