The waste and over flow is the drain mechanism behind and under the bathtub and connects the overflow (it’s usually covered with a chrome plated cover above the tub drain near the top of the tub level. It allows water to drain out of the tub in the event the water is left on or the level gets to high when someone gets in and the water is displaced.) with the tub drain. Usually the complete repair of the a waste and overflow is time consuming and difficult. As you can see there is no easy way to get to the drain unless you have a point of access in a wall behind the drain or from underneath the tub.
Installing a Tub Drain and Over Flow.
When a waste and over flow needs to be repaired the plumbing technician needs to get access either underneath the tub or more preferably behind the tub.
The first step to removing the waste and over flow is to remove the over flow cover. The second and much more difficult step is to unscrew the tub drain from the shoe. The tub drain threads into the drain shoe body of the waste and over flow and snugs up both to the bathtub.
When you remove the drain stopper most times there is are cross bars that the stopper attaches to, these are used to back the drain out. Quite often the drain breaks making this job a time consuming project. (We will expand upon removing and replacing a waste and overflow). If you manage to remove the drain from the shoe you’ve disconnected the waste and over flow drain from the tub.
Here is another place where this can become difficult. If you’ve got access to the drain from behind the tub there is usually a slip nut that connects the drain to the drainage piping this is a fairly easy installation, if not it is very difficult to remove the drain from below. Most times you have to cut it out and piece it back together. It is not unusual for a waste and over repair to take 6 hours or so.
Bath Tub Overflow Drain Cover
The drain cover’s finish is the most apparent reason for changing it. The finish tends to pit or peal. The waste and over flow cover usually has one screw in the middle or two to secure the cover to the body of the waste.
The Problem is Behind the Faceplate and Water Leaks down the Drain
Waste Tube.
The single biggest reason a waste and over flow leaks is the gasket behind the drain cover or faceplate. The rubber behind tub begins to break down and when the water level rises to the level of the over flow the water makes it’s way to any breach in the seal. Sometimes these leaks can be tricky to find because the water may run down the drain waste tube and the leak shows itself right at the spot of the waste and overflow or the water can run along and under the tub and shows itself quite a distance away from the actual leak.
How do I Fix the Tub Gasket and Stop the Plumbing from Leaking?
Honestly we’ve always said that we would be cautious when plugging a product. However when one comes along that is innovative and can save people time and money it’s our duty to let people know.
There is an Easy and Economical Way to Repair Your Bath Tub Waste and Overflow?
The Ultimate Tub Drain Remodel Kit featuring the Ultimate Overflow Gasket takes care of the issues. The kit uses a patented gasket that fits on the outside of the tub and telescopes into the overflow tube bypassing the damaged gasket eliminating the leaks. Another common issue with bathtubs in general is the drain. Chances are if the waste and overflow gasket and cover are damaged the bathtub drain looks the same.
The kit also includes an all brass lift and turn remodel drain that fits on top and into your old drain. No need to attempt to unscrew the old drain and risk possible damage to the tub or drain assembly. Just unscrew and remove the old lift and turn assembly and or linkage pop-up drain. Clean with a mild detergent removing any soap or build-up, dry thoroughly, apply the kits RTV silicone bond caulk, place the drain on top of the old, press, turn and leave for 24 hours and you’re done. The entire drain remodel is done in 15 minutes.
Not Just for Repairs
The great thing about this product is it’s not just for repairs. If you are remodeling your bath or changing the finishes on your faucets you can purchase the kit in all of the currently popular finishes. You don’t have to live with a chrome or brass waste and overflow cover/drain with new brushed nickel faucets. The Ultimate Tub Drain Remodel Kit comes in a variety of finishes including chrome, brushed nickle, stainless steel and oil rubbed bronze.
Follow
Well thank you for the compliment. I guess admitting it would defeat the purpose of hiding behind outsourcing 😉 The answer is a resounding no. We write every article in house. We have several authors and we love doing it.
Sincerely,
admin@theplumbinginfo.com
Are we talking about the round, chrome cover piece in the tub held in place by one screw, just below the water spout? I took the cover off, and the pipe or whatever it is with the gasket is off center, so the cover does not fit correctly. I finally looked at it, because it was getting all rusted around the edges and I saw that it did not rest properly in the indentation. It isn’t just slightly off – it is WAY off. Is this something I can fix or do I need to call a plumber?
Hey Paul, the gasket should be on the back side of the tub. I’ve seen those rubber gaskets off center many times. Is it leaking? If so you can use the Ultimate Overflow Gasket or the full kit to take care of your issue. Take a picture and post here. If you have any other questions let me know.
admin@theplumbinginfo
This is a great idea,The Ultimate Tub Drain Remodel Kit featuring the Ultimate Overflow Gasket , but everyone I call say that they have never heard of this product. I live in Louisville, Ky. If you can help me with this please reply. Thanks
Where do you buy this product? Ultimate drain remodel kit?
Have looked online with no success.
Hey Corey you can buy them from us right here.
http://tuboverflow.theplumbinginfo.com/
$29.95 plus shipping in any finish. If you need any more help let me know.
Sincerely,
admin@theplumbinginfo
I have a leak in overlow/tub drain
that leaks water into the condo below- apparently via walls to floor. It only happens when I’ve taken a bath, and then let the water out. No problem with showers although drain does run very slow.
any thoughts?
Thanks for finding us Lorilee. First things first if your drain is moving slow you should have it rodded out. Now to your next question, the fact that you don’t have any leaking when the shower is running leads me to think the leak is coming from the waste and overflow gasket. Here is a link to a product we sell here. Take a look and let me know.
http://tuboverflow.theplumbinginfo.com/
admin@theplumbinginfo
I have an overflow drain that is so rusted out that the cover doesn’t fit anymore; I took it off to replace w. a new one, but it is so bad. I don’t want to buy a new tub. Your product sounds good if it would work for me somehow….
Ok, I am an Apartment Maintenance Supervisor and here’s the problem I have run in to. Upstairs bath leaks in to downstairs bath. Problem is isolated and determined to be a leak at the overflow plate. I took the cover off and the overflow gasket is not “compressed” between the overflow tube and the cover. The reason is that the bolts that secure the overflow tube to the tube have rusted and/or been broken. Consequently, there is no way (that I know of) to sandwich the gasket between the backside of the tub wall and the overflow tube. The overflow tube is brass, the bolts broken off in to the two holes used to secure it. I believe there is a retrofit part out there somewhere that snakes in to the overflow tube and fits in it very securely to the point where it would be able to be drawn to the backside of the tub once the overflow cover is installed. Additionally, it has “tapped” holes in it to receive the 2 bolts to secure the plate that the overflow cover (a single bolt style) would bolt on to. I looked at your website and the product you have won’t work as the overflow tube “head” has broken-off, non removeable bolts in it. Any suggestions?….tks
YES!!!! I’m pretty sure the Ultimate Overflow gasket will help you here and I have them in stock. You can order them right from the site. Or I can email you an invoice from Paypal and send you what you need. 🙂 This is the perfect application for what you need.
admin@theplumbinginfo
If you want to replace a drain overflow cover for cosmetic reasons only (e.g., want to match brushed nickel faucet) and the plate is a screw on plate in chrome, does it have to be replaced with a screw on cover?
I think I understand your question. The screw that holds the overflow cover in place and probably screws into the retaining ring should also be a brushed nickle finish. Otherwise you’d have a brushed nickle cover with a polish chrome screw.
admin
After removing the cover to the overflow valve, I find that the rubber ring just inside is badly cracked and spongy. How can I replace this ring?
The Ultimate Overflow gasket can solve this issue. It’s actually why it was manufactured.
Sean Kavanaugh
Admin
The overflow valve cover on one of my tubs can not be tightened. It twirls freely even after the screw is tightened into the cover. Is there something missing from the attachment that would help to hold the cover steady? What can I do to hold the cover in place so the cover opening remains on the bottom? Thanks!
I’m certain why the screw is bottoming out and not tightening the cover down. Try using a few washers in back of the overflow cover. That should allow the center screw to tighten the cover.
Sean Kavanaugh
Does this tub overflow kit work with single screw overflow faceplates or do they have to be two screw for the system to work? I would love this product of it solved my leak due to an ill fitting gasket.
Hi, I have a leak in my basement above sump pump whenever I take a bath and water rises above the overflow. I am pretty sure that means there is a leak in the overflow somewhere. Will your product work for that? No leak when I shower or keep water below overflow, or can I seal the overflow instead?
Please don’t seal up the overflow. It’s there for a reason. Most likely the leak is caused by the foam gasket in the back of the tub. If that is the case then the UOG would work great.
Sean
I have an overflow drain pipe that has one place to allow the faceplate to secure things together. I need a kit like this because the pipe alignment is about 1/4″ off and the rubber gasket is not going to be a reliable fix. Do you have kits that will work with the one screw in the center?
Yep here is the link to their site. https://bluevueinc.com/
Anyone can help you but Tim is the inventor and a generally swell dude.
Sean K
Hello,
I recently had a slow draining and awfully stinky tub drain. Having to have called plumbers out in the past to clean the main line, over course of 5-6yrs, has been fairly pricey. Along with every draino type product they sell I’ve already easily spent a thousand dollars. More recently I ran into the same problem , slow tub draining and awfully stinky odor. I researched do it yourself tips and found one to plunge the tub drain. Hundreds on the blog I read swore by this. However, having the overflow (main plate cover with two screws etc) they advised to remove cover and block any air flow while plunging the tub drain. I did this and it actually worked within minutes the tub drained and hasn’t clogged up since. HOWEVER, a couple weeks later now I can’t use the tub/shower without a smell similar to what I imagine a large animal carcus rotting away below my tub. Again, I’ve tried EVERYTHING from bleach to boiling water to every over the counter product stores sell. I’ve recently discovered the ONLY WAY TO PREVENT the entire house from constantly smelling like I’m breathin breathing in toxic fumes is to block off that overflow drain 24/7 and plug the tub drain at any time I’m not showering. This alone has worked wonders, but obviously something isn’t right with the overflow. I have some access to behind the tub wall to the water entry etc. But, I can’t afford much now and I’m concerned I’m harming myself and my son living here with these odors. It’s comparable to a wet dirty dog smell (times 10) crossed with a perm or burnt smell. It’s terrible! !! Please advise me what I can do without costing an arm and a leg!??? Please!