![]() ![]() ![]() Overflow drain diagramĪn overflow drain consists of an overflow cover which protects the top of the overflow and usually contains the switch that engages and disengages the trap. The trap locks and unlocks the drain, allowing water to flow in and out. Here is how an overflow drain works:Ģ.If the main drain is plugged or sealed by a mechanical stopper, water will begin to build up.ģ.When the main drain fills, water will begin to reach the overflow stopper instead, allowing it to drainĤ.As long as there is decent pipe flow, your overflow will prevent water from building beyond a certain point, preventing your bathtub from overflowing.ĥ.The overflow drain contains two parts-an overflow drain and a trap. Parts of a overflow drain:Īn overflow drain may seem complicated at first, but the actual mechanics are fairly straightforward. This style is popular for those that don’t want to deal with exposed piping as the overflow channel is built in the tub’s inner wall. ![]() An opening is cut along the interior of the bathtub and the excess water is then diverted between the walls of the tub drain. Whereas the traditional overflow is made with an exterior pipe and drain system, an integral overflow is similar to a sink overflow. IntegralĪn Integral overflow is designed a little differently than the traditional style. This style is perhaps the most common in older homes and requires some flexibility in cutting and installing the pipe system. TraditionalĪ traditional overflow consists of a hole cut into the tub to accommodate a drain that installs on the inside and outside walls which collect excess water and sends it down a tub drain to a P-trap. Which one you have in your home will largely depend on the age of your house or bathtub. With overflow drains, there are two primary types available: Traditional and Integral. Beyond just creature comfort, it also ensures that water won’t spill out and flood your bathroom if the faucet is left running. This is important if you don’t want to wait by your bathtub while it slowly fills with water for your bath. Contact us to learn more about replacing your bathtub overflow gasket and upgrading your tub with a new tub stopper and overflow plate.As stated previously, an overflow drain helps to ensure that your bathtub does not overflow if you leave the faucet on. Watco is recognized as a leading, innovative supplier of quality bathtub plumbing products that provide long-lasting functionality and easy installation. You can find the SimpliQuick® Tub Fix and Watco’s Innovator® Snap-On Bathtub Overflow Plate at, the premier online retailer for Watco quality tub plumbing products. ![]() Pair it with a matching push-pull bathtub stopper like the SimpliQuick® Tub Fix, also by Watco, for a matching, complete look to upgrade your tub. This is also a good time to replace your bathtub overflow plate altogether, and one of the easiest to install is the Watco Innovator® Snap-On bathtub overflow plate. A replacement overflow gasket is typically beveled, and in most cases, the thicker part should be towards the bottom. You will need to simply remove the old gasket and work the new one snugly into place. Take a look at the rubber gasket that sits right behind the flange to hold the overflow plate, and if you notice the gasket is cracked or deteriorating, this is most likely the cause of your leaks. If you have a trip lever tub stopper or your bathtub stopper is controlled with a lever protruding out of the overflow plate, simply remove the screws and pull the cover out with the stopper assembly attached. This is usually with a Phillips head screwdriver and may be one screw in the center or two screws on the sides. The first thing to do is to remove the screws on the overflow cover plate. You can easily save a couple hundred dollars by doing this yourself instead of calling a plumber. Replacing a bathtub overflow gasket is actually very simple and inexpensive and is something you can do on your own. When bathing children without filling the tub up to the overflow tube or when showering, you may not notice the leak if the water does not reach the overflow tube. One indicator that you should check the gasket in the overflow tube is if you do not notice the leak when someone is taking a shower or a bath without filling it up very full. It may not make much sense that a faulty gasket in your overflow plate is the culprit for water leaking through a ceiling and running down the wall from an upstairs bathroom. Many times, homeowners will begin to tighten threaded connections, replace faucet valves, or use silicone tape to seal connections. The bathtub overflow drain is often overlooked as a source of a water leak coming from your tub. ![]()
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