How to Fix a Leaking Trip Lever Bathtub Stopper

Anytime you have a leaking bathtub stopper, it is a nagging inconvenience. Most of the time a leaking tub stopper is easy to fix, although that depends on what type of bathtub stopper you have. A trip lever bathtub stopper works with a somewhat complex mechanism and can be trickier than other types of bathtub stoppers to fix.

A trip lever bathtub drain stopper is controlled by the small lever that protrudes from the overflow plate.  The up-and-down lever is connected to a connecting rod behind the front of the bathtub wall, inside the overflow pipe.  A weighted plunger is attached to the bottom of the connecting rod and seals the drain when moved down into the bottom of the overflow tube.  The plunger releases the drain stopper to allow water flow when moved up. This type of bathtub stopper is also called a lift bucket tub stopper.

Lift Bucket Tub Stopper Problems
A lift bucket tub stopper controlled with the trip lever can begin to experience problems with leaking water usually for one of two reasons:

• The connecting rod that links the trip lever to the plunger may require adjustments. If the plunger does not drop down far enough, the drain pipe opening will not completely seal. 
• The plunger may not move up or down if the plunger itself has become stuck in the overflow tube. 

How to Repair a Lift Bucket Bathtub Stopper

You will need a screwdriver, an adjustable wrench and possibly a new connecting rod and plunger to repair this type of bathtub stopper.  This can be a bit messy so have a bucket and rag handy to help keep the mess out of the bathtub.  Follow these instructions to repair a lift bucket tub stopper:

1) Remove the bathtub overflow plate, this is usually fairly simple by just removing one or two screws.

2)  Pull out the connecting rod with the attached plunger through the overflow opening.

3)  Clean the plunger, removing any corrosion or debris that may be stopping it from landing smoothly into the overflow tube. If the plunger itself is damaged or corroded the entire assembly must be replaced.

4) Adjust the linkage on the connecting rod if it needs to be lengthened to allow the plunger to drop lower into the overflow tube. It may take a few tries to adjust the length perfectly so that the stopper falls to just the right height to seal the drain.

5) Reassemble the overflow opening and trip lever mechanism.

This is just one way to stop a leaky bathtub stopper, you have many options when you speak to the professionals at Eagle Mountain Products. 


Eagle Mountain Products offers a wide selection of quality Watco bathtub stoppers, tub drain replacement and repair parts. We help you to choose the easiest method to repair or replace a leaking bathtub stopper. Contact us for the best bathtub drain and stopper repair solution.