How To Stop Tub From Filling Up When Using Bathroom Sink

A clog in the bathtub drain pipe is a pretty common occurrence that typically happens over time as you begin to notice the water draining slower. This is usually caused by hair clogs, soap scum, or hard water. The drainpipes all connect eventually and a clog may cause the tub to fill up when using the sink and vice versa.

Assess Your Drainpipe Situation

The tub drain is usually a good place to start when you do not know exactly where the blockage is. The P-trap in the bathtub drain can collect sediment and cause a clog over time. If the tub backs up when running water down the sink, however, this is not the issue and the P-trap is clear. There is a clog somewhere but it is beyond the point where the tub and sink drains merge. 

The blockage is most likely several feet below the tub drain and sink in the drain opening may not be a reliable strategy.

Plunging the Bathtub Drain

Plunging the bathtub drain can help dislodge a clog several feet down if done properly. If you just have a screen over your drain and you can fit a plunger around the tub drain you should fill the tub with a couple inches of water, stuff a rag into the overflow tube and also block up the sink drain with a rag or a reliable stopper. This diverts all force to the plunger and the blockage. Get an airtight seal and pump vigorously several times around the tub drain.

If you cannot plunge the tub drain due to an installed bathtub stopper, try snaking through the overflow tube after removing the overflow plate. 

Once you clear the blockage, consider installing a new bathtub stopper with a mesh grid drain cover to help prevent hair and debris from entering your drain. Watco offers an easy to install bathtub stopper and drain cover in one, the SimpliQuick® Tub Fix that can install over any drain, even drains with broken crossbars without removing the existing drain.

Learn more about Watco tub drain parts and tub fix solutions at FixMyDrain.com, your one stop for Watco bathtub drain stoppers and overflow plates. Contact us with any questions and for bathtub fix solutions.

 

How To Stop Toilet Gargling When Taking A Shower

Have you ever noticed the toilet making a gargling sound when you take a shower? This can happen for a few different reasons and is something that you should take care of as quickly as possible. If your toilet gurgles when showering, you may have a plumbing problem that will get worse and require costly repairs, and a blocked sewer vent can also create health problems.

Here are the three main reasons why your toilet gurgles when showering:

• Your drain pipes are blocked

• The main sewer line is blocked

• Your vent pipe is blocked

Blocked Drain Pipes

Something blocking your drain pipes is one of the main reasons that this happens. Bubbling in the toilet may start if your drain is partially blocked, although if water no longer flushes down the toilet, you could have a completely blocked drain. Many things can cause a blocked drain, such as hair, soap residue, oil, grease, and other contaminants. 

Blocked Sewer Line

The drain pipe for the toilet is connected to the main sewer line under the house. If you notice multiple drains in the house are slow or clogged, the main sewer line could be the culprit. This can occur if tree roots infiltrate your pipes, if your pipes are losing structural integrity, if there is a build-up inside the pipes, or if something is blocking them like flushable wipes (which should not really be flushed), or if objects like toys get flushed or accidentally fall down the drain. Harsh drain cleaning chemicals with sulfuric acid can also corrode your pipes.

Blocked Vent Pipe

A vertical vent pipe that exits on your roof is connected to the main drain and sewer pipes to allow gas and air to travel safely throughout the drains without causing a disruption in the water flow. Your toilet may start to bubble if the vent pipe is obstructed and the plumbing system does not function properly. An obstructed vent pipe can be caused by tree branches, leaves, small animals, birds, even a tennis ball landing on your roof. 

A vent pipe is meant to remove gases and sewer odors from the house and if the vent pipe is blocked, the gases will escape through other drains in the home. If you start to smell sewer gases you should have this fixed immediately as health issues could result such as nausea, drowsiness, shortness of breath, and headaches.

How to Stop Toilet Gurgling When Showering

One of the first things you can try if this happens is to use a plunger in your toilet, although this will only help if you have a blockage close to the surface. You should first attempt to plunge the toilet, although if a blockage is deeper down in your pipes this will not work. After you plunge the toilet, also plunge the shower drain. If you still hear the toilet gurgling when running the shower, consider cleaning the vent pipe and sewer lines.

Clean the Vent Pipe

Make sure the vent pipe has a screen to prevent debris from falling inside and causing obstructions. You have to get on the roof to see the vent pipe and you can clear most obstructions that you can see on the outside and take a garden hose with you to flush water down the vent. See if you can hear water pushing the clog down the drain and if this doesn’t work you can try a sewer snake through the vent pipe and then make sure it is covered and protected properly. Call a professional if you are not comfortable getting on your roof.

Clean the Sewer Lines

A clogged sewer line can cause the toilet to gurgle. If the previous fixes did not solve the problem you may need to call a professional sewer repair service. If the problem is tree roots growing into your lines they can use large equipment to get through the pipes to remove the clog or they may suggest hydro-jetting to clean the sewer lines.

It is important to take care of the plumbing in your house to prevent costly repairs and health issues. Be sure to get all of your bathtub drain parts including drain waste products and bathtub stoppers from Watco, available at FixMyDrain.com 

How to Upgrade Your Bathroom on a Budget

If your bathroom is in need of a makeover, there are quite a few simple and inexpensive things you can do to breathe new life into a bathroom. It’s easy to refresh the powder room, which we all spend a good amount of time in, with a few simple renovations and minor decor updates. Here are some budget-friendly, DIY bathroom upgrades that you can do quickly with professional results. 

• Hang wallpaper

• Upgrade the vanity

• Replace light fixtures

• Replace shower and tub drain parts

Hanging wallpaper is an inexpensive way to breathe new life into the bathroom, and it’s easy to apply to even just one accent wall to create an upscale look. Peel and stick wallpaper can add a glamorous look on a budget.

You can instantly change the look of the bathroom by replacing the vanity. There are some budget-friendly options if you take the time to look around, or you can even paint existing cabinets to create a brand-new look for an even more low-cost option.

Replacing outdated light fixtures can bring a sparkling allure to your new bathroom with beautiful glass accents. Consider installing a dimmer switch if you don’t have one already, and you’ll want to leave a nightlight on to showcase your new bathroom look.

Replacing shower and tub drain parts is another inexpensive, quick fix if you know which products to buy. Watco is a name most recognized for offering quality bathtub waste and tub parts that are inexpensive and easy to install. Swapping out your tub stopper and overflow plate makes a dramatic difference to the look of the whole tub, and you can finish it off with a new showerhead in the same finish option, such as chrome, brushed nickel, antique brass, and many other choices.. 

If you need to replace your bathtub drain waste, Watco makes that easy with Watco perfect fit bathtub waste and tub drain parts, easy installation instructions, and product warranties. You can find the complete Watco product line at BuyEagle.com, along with video instructions that show you how to replace your bathtub stopper in just minutes. 

You can upgrade your bathtub with Watco shower and bathtub trim kits and bathtub waste products so quickly and easily; you can hang wallpaper, replace light fixtures and do everything in a day to give yourself a brand-new bathtub on a budget.

You can find the entire Watco direct drain bathtub waste and tub drain parts at BuyEagle.com, the premier online distributor for all Watco products, including:

• Schedule 40 drain bathtub waste 

• Flexible bath wastes 

• Tubular plastic

• Tubular brass

• Bathtub trim kits

• Tub closures

• Bathtub replacement stoppers

• Lavatory drains

• Bushings and accessories

BuyEagle.com offers the complete Watco product line along with exceptional customer service and helpful online video instructions.

BuyEagle.com is the premier online retailer for all Watco products and the full Woodford product line, including outdoor faucets, frost-free hose bibs, yard hydrants, and more.  Contact us with any questions and for assistance in upgrading your bathtub on a budget with Watco quality bathtub waste and tub drain parts.

Key Factors When Choosing Your Next Yard Hydrant

A yard hydrant is a reliable method to bring access to water to remote locations. Before installing a yard hydrant, you should make sure that the water supply is below the frost line. In addition to this, there are some key factors that should be considered. Things to think about when choosing a yard hydrant include:

• Ease of operation

• Simple adjustments and repairs

• Flow optimization

• Locking cam

Ease of Operation

Yard hydrants are meant to make it easy to have water access where it is needed, even in freezing temperatures. Yard hydrants are often located on farms, ranches, construction sites, and other locations where operators may be wearing heavy gloves. A large handle on the hydrant allows for easier operation with gloves on, and the operating rod should open and close easily.

Simple Adjustments and Repairs

It is important to be able to make any adjustments and repairs above ground level as much of a yard hydrant is located underground. Having the ability to perform maintenance above the ground, such as replacing O-rings, is key. This saves a lot of time and work without needing to dig up the yard hydrant.

Flow Optimization

A yard hydrant provides convenient water access, although low pressure can be frustrating and time-consuming. High flow rates in your yard hydrant are important, although there may be instances where you want to control the flow.

Locking Cam

Being able to set the flow finder and lock in the same flow is beneficial as well as locking the hydrant against accidental opening. The ability to lock your hydrant can protect against vandalism.

Woodford Y34 IOWA® Yard Hydrant: Irrigation Solutions Since 1929

The Woodford Y34 IOWA® Yard Hydrant has been providing all of these features and more since 1929. Made in America, the Woodford Y34 IOWA® Yard Hydrant provides immediate flowing water even in subzero conditions with durable, hot-dipped galvanized pipe casing and pipe stem. There is no need to dig out the ground if in the rare chance repairs are needed, they can be made from the hydrant head.

You can learn more about Woodford yard hydrants, frost-free hose bibs, and all Woodford products at BuyEagle.com, the premier online retailer for all Woodford products. BuyEagle.com is also your one-stop for all Watco bathtub drain parts and replacement tub stoppers.

BuyEagle.com offers the complete Woodford product line, including the most reliable yard hydrant on the market. Find all your outdoor faucets or tub repair parts at BuyEagle.com. Contact us for expert assistance and to learn more about how to choose a quality yard hydrant.

How To Replace A Bathtub Overflow Gasket

The bathtub overflow drain is often overlooked as a source of a water leak coming from your tub. Many times, homeowners will begin to tighten threaded connections, replace faucet valves, or use silicone tape to seal connections. 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. 

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. 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.

Replacing the Tub Overflow Gasket

Replacing a bathtub overflow gasket is actually very simple and inexpensive and is something you can do on your own. You can easily save a couple hundred dollars by doing this yourself instead of calling a plumber. The first thing to do is to remove the screws on the overflow cover plate. This is usually with a Phillips head screwdriver and may be one screw in the center or two screws on the sides. 

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. 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.

You will need to simply remove the old gasket and work the new one snugly into place. A replacement overflow gasket is typically beveled, and in most cases, the thicker part should be towards the bottom. 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. 

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.

You can find the SimpliQuick® Tub Fix and Watco’s Innovator® Snap-On Bathtub Overflow Plate at FixMyDrain.com, the premier online retailer for Watco quality tub plumbing products.  Watco is recognized as a leading, innovative supplier of quality bathtub plumbing products that provide long-lasting functionality and easy installation. Contact us to learn more about replacing your bathtub overflow gasket and upgrading your tub with a new tub stopper and overflow plate.

What are the Benefits of Watco’s Bathtub Drain Trim Kit?

You can update your bathtub with a cleaner, newer-looking drain trim to refresh the look of your old tub in just minutes. Watco bathtub drain trim kits make it easy to replace dingy, drab bathtub stoppers, overflow plates, and drains without calling a plumber. The universal tub drain trim kits from Watco fit almost any type of tub strainer body to update old, worn-out-looking drains.

Watco’s tub drain trim kits provide many benefits from a company trusted by professional plumbers and recognized by do-it-yourselfers for easy installation. You can install Watco’s tub drain trim kit in just minutes with just a screwdriver. Watco’s Innovator® Snap-On Overflow Plate easily converts a 1-hole or 2-hole overflow plate for simple installation. Some of the many benefits of Watco’s tub drain trim kits include:

• Installs overcurrent strainer body

• Eliminates the chance of cross threading

• Eliminates labor to remove the current drain

• Includes an O-ring for a snug fit

• Thin trim at .03” avoids a water dam with no flow rate reduction

• Push-pull stopper comes with a reversible pin in 3/8” or 5/16”

• Silicone adhesive included for stopper installation over broken crossbars

• Comes in many decorative finish options

• Includes five-year limited warranty

You can have confidence in the name Watco and enjoy these many benefits with Watco’s bathtub drain trim kit solutions. BuyEagle.com is the premier online retailer for all Watco bathtub plumbing products, coupled with exceptional customer service and online video demonstrations.  You can find the full product line for Watco tub repair and plumbing products and Woodford spigots, hydrants, and faucet repair parts. 

BuyEagle.com is your one source for Watco tub repair and upgrade solutions as well as all Woodford products, including freezeless yard hydrants and outdoor faucets. Watco makes it easy to upgrade your bathtub yourself without calling a professional plumber. Contact us to learn more about the many benefits of Watco’s bathtub drain trim kits.

How To Fix A Leaky Bathtub Overflow Tube

If you notice a leaky bathtub, the problem can often be traced back to the drain assembly or the overflow tube. A bathtub overflow drain acts as a safety feature to divert water down the overflow tube if the tub overfills, to prevent the water from spilling out over the top of the bathtub. This helps to prevent water damage from an overflowing tub by preventing water from spilling out and dripping over the sides and beneath the bathtub where it could damage the floor, or a ceiling if located in an upstairs room.

The first impulse when noticing a bathtub leak could be to get to the drain underneath the tub although in many cases, the overflow tube could be the source of the leak.

Locate the Source of Your Bathtub Leak

Before you start tearing things apart to get underneath your bathtub, locate the source of the leak by checking the tile around the tub for caulking or grouting issues. If this is the case, you will only notice a leak while the tub or shower are in use.

If you notice a continuous leak even when the tub or shower or not in use, it could be a waterline that is pressurized and leaking constantly rather than a leak with the overflow tube.

If there is a leak in the tub drain or piping, you can remove your access panel to view the plumbing for the bathtub. Run water while looking for leaks and any loose connections. Repair or tighten drain fittings as needed. 

If you do not see leaking when running water in the bathtub, run the shower and look for leaks coming from the faucet. If you do not notice any leaks from the shower running, the overflow tube is the most likely cause of your tub leak. 

Replacing Your Bathtub Overflow Plate

It is easy to remove a bathtub overflow plate with just a screwdriver to check the gasket. A ring-shaped gasket seals the overflow pipe and is located directly behind the flange around the opening. The rubber gasket can become cracked and brittle over time and cause leaking. Remove the overflow plate with a screwdriver and simply pull it off. You may need to cut the caulk out of the way with a utility knife. Inspect the gasket and replace it if cracked or worn.

One of the easiest bathtub overflow plates to install is the Innovator® Snap-On Bathtub Overflow Plate Kit by Watco. This innovative tub overflow plate is a simple replacement with easy retrofits to one or two hole trip lever overflow plates. If you are replacing a trip lever stopper, get the overflow plate with the matching SimpliQuick® Tub Fix for a quick and easy way to upgrade your entire tub with quality tub plumbing products.

FixMyDrain.com is the premier online retailer for all Watco tub plumbing products including replacement stoppers, tub drain parts and overflow plates. Watco is a name recognized by professional plumbers for quality products that are easy to install. Contact us with any questions and upgrade your tub today with the Innovator® Snap-On Overflow Plate Kit. 

Steps to Install a Woodford Freezeless Yard Hydrant

If you rely on a yard hydrant for much-needed irrigation, installing a Woodford freezeless yard hydrant will ensure uninterrupted access to water. A freezeless yard hydrant can ensure that this critical resource is there when you need it whether taking care of farms, ranches, or livestock.  Woodford is a name known and trusted for reliable and durable yard hydrants. Following some simple steps can help you correctly install a Woodford freezes yard hydrant.

1. First, dig a hole where you plan to install your yard hydrant, approximately 2 feet in diameter and deeper than the bury depth.

2. Flush out the supply line before connecting to the hydrant to clear any gravel or debris.

3. Install your Woodford yard hydrant and make sure the drain hole is under the frost line. Use a wrench to tighten the supply line fitting and valve body without overtightening.

4. Use extra support in the bottom of the pit, such as rebar or pipe, if the supply line does not support the hydrant.

5. Check for leaks in the hydrant connection by turning the water on the floor and filling the excavation. 

6. Make the necessary adjustments so that water drains from the hydrant drain hole each time the hydrant is closed. 

1. Use a 1/8 inch copper drain tubing if installing inside a structure or a concrete driveway. Water draining from the hydrant will surface and cause damage or muddy spots if the remote piping drain field is not installed.

2. In areas that tend to have standing water, a larger drain field may be required. If the ground is saturated in the hydrant drain field, it could freeze, preventing the hydrant from draining fully and causing damage.

3. To provide credit drainage, fill the pit up to approximately 3 inches above the brass drain valve body with a half-inch of gravel.

See the hydrant installation instructions from Woodford, and check out the Woodford Y34 IOWA® yard hydrant, the most well-known yard hydrant for reliable water flow in subzero conditions.  

BuyEagle.com is your one stop for all Woodford yard hydrants and outdoor faucets and all Watco bathtub plumbing products such as replacement bathtub stoppers and all waste drain products. Contact us with any questions about installing a freezeless Woodford yard hydrant.