Replace Bathtub Stopper

Replacing a Bathtub Stopper: A Step-by-Step Guide

A leaky bathtub stopper can cause significant water damage to your bathroom. It's essential to fix a leaky stopper as soon as possible. Replacing a bathtub stopper is a relatively easy task that can be completed in a few minutes. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you do it yourself: ### Tools and Materials: * New bathtub stopper * Adjustable wrench * Screwdriver * Pliers * Rag * Petroleum jelly or plumber's grease ### Step 1: Turn Off the Water Supply Before you begin, turn off the water supply to your bathtub. You can usually do this by turning the valve located under the sink. If you can't find the valve, you may need to turn off the main water supply to your home. ### Step 2: Remove the Old Stopper Use the adjustable wrench to loosen the nuts that hold the old stopper in place. Be careful not to drop the nuts down the drain. Once the nuts are loose, you can remove the old stopper by hand. If the stopper is stuck, you can use the screwdriver to pry it loose. ### Step 3: Clean the Drain Once the old stopper is removed, take a rag and clean the drain. Remove any hair, soap scum, or other debris that may be clogging the drain. You can also use a drain cleaner to help remove any stubborn clogs. ### Step 4: Apply Petroleum Jelly or Plumber's Grease Apply a thin coat of petroleum jelly or plumber's grease to the threads of the new stopper. This will help to create a watertight seal and prevent leaks. ### Step 5: Install the New Stopper Insert the new stopper into the drain. Hand-tighten the nuts until they are snug. Be careful not to overtighten the nuts, as this could damage the stopper. ### Step 6: Turn on the Water Supply Turn on the water supply to your bathtub and check for leaks. If you see any leaks, tighten the nuts until the leak stops. ### Step 7: Test the Stopper Fill the bathtub with water and test the stopper. The stopper should create a watertight seal and prevent water from flowing out of the drain. ### Conclusion Replacing a bathtub stopper is a simple task that can be completed in a few minutes. By following these steps, you can save yourself money and hassle in the long run. If you're not comfortable working on plumbing fixtures, you can always call a plumber to do the job for you.