Keep in mind that while it is a great addition to your bathtub, it is also a separate set of pipes that need to be maintained and properly cared for unless you want further headaches down the road. As a frequent contributor to top US magazines and publications in the home improvement niche, Mandy has been known for sharing her expertise on how to clean, organize, and decorate bathrooms. A slow draining bathtub can however also be caused by a clogged plumbing vent, but that problem will be manifested in other drains as well. Additionally, Plumbing Sniper participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links. If you are looking for a quick temporary solution, you can plug your overflow drain before each bath.

Clogs will result in lower water pressure over time and may lead to damages in the future if left unattended. If you still don’t see water dripping inside the access space, you’re dealing with a bad overflow drain. Many of these drain covers include a small hole at the top of your cover, allowing water to still drain while adding inches to your bathtub’s water level. Waterproof tape is relatively inexpensive and extremely easy to use but is not as durable or long-lasting as other solutions on this list. 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.The primary purpose of an overflow drain is to prevent water from spilling or overflowing onto your floor, so why would you not want one? Once you are done soaking in the tub, simply pry off the cover and place it away ready for use the next time you are using the bathtub. Diana enjoys sharing her knowledge and helping people understand how to deal with common situations she and her team encounter daily. Although it can be a bit more complicated than installing a regular drain, we will look at all the benefits an overflow drain can bring and most importantly, how it works.

This style is perhaps the most common in older homes and requires some flexibility in cutting and installing the pipe system. A 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. Our Skokie, IL office is located southeast of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and west of Northwestern University.

Bathtubs like freestanding bathtubs or Japanese/soaking tubs look so elegant but overflow drains tend to take beauty away from them. We work closely with qualified experts and follow a thorough editing and fact-checking process before publishing content. An 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. This leads to the bottom of the drain, which contains a separate cover that is sealed by a gasket and a stopper. However, inside the vertical section of the overflow drain is an adjustable link chain which is connected to a plunger.

Just remember to remove any type of cover after you’ve had your nice relaxing soak so the next person doesn’t accidentally flood the bathroom. If your bathtub is a shower/bathtub combo or if your bathtub is a smaller model, then having an overflow drain isn’t necessary. If you use an elastic to pull back your long hair, take three or four of them and wrap them around your overflow drain cover. When you’re facing cleanup after any type of water damage at your home or business, you want Chicago’s best. You can then use a rubber plug or even a washcloth to plug the hole that allows water to exit through your overflow.

The rubber or neoprene washer forms a seal between the backside of the tub wall and the overflow drain opening. The aftermath of a bathtub overflow can cause extensive property damage that needs attention right away. Maybe your bathtub hasn’t overflowed, but it may as well have because of the severe leaking you notice every time it’s used.