Bathtub drains tend to get clogged and broken at times, due to over use. At such times, either you can go for bathtub drain repair or make a replacement. In case, you are installing a new bathtub or you are going for a bathtub refinishing, then a drain installation will be on the cards. Without a proper drain installed, you cannot use your bathtub anyway.
The process of installation is simple and you get a complete installation kit in any hardware store. All you have to do is invest some time and follow simple instructions to get the job done.
Tools and Materials Required
Plumbing tasks are easily done if you have the right tools. The right equipment makes your job substantially easy. I assume that you already have a bathtub installed. Here is a list of all that you'll need. The tools and materials required are: A Pop up Drain Assembly A P-Trap Pipe Swivel Connector with Rubber Washers Plumber's Putty Glue All these things are available in most hardware stores. The cost of pop up drain assembly ranges from $29 to $35. Make sure every part of the pop up drain assembly is included or your installation might hit a dead end because of the unavailability of parts.
Installation Instructions
Let us see the details of the installation procedure. Here is how the whole installation is carried out. For simplicity, I have broken down the procedure in steps.
Step 1 - Fix the Bathtub First
The installation is easier, if you already have your tub in place. So, make sure that you have your tub installed, before you begin it.
Step 2 - Fix Drain in Tub Hole
From the pop up drain installation kit, take the main drain assembly and remove nuts and washers. Take a bit of plumber's putty and apply it under the rim of the drain. This makes the drain stick in the tub hole. After uniformly applying the putty under the drain rim, place it carefully in to the drain hole of the tub. To make sure that it sticks, hold it very firmly in place for some time.
Step 3 - Fix Nuts and Washers
Next step is to fix the washer and nut below the drain to fix it. This job will have to be done below the tub, as drain holes are usually at the tub's bottom. Ask someone to hold the drain from above and fix the washer from below. Then screw the nut in place from below with the help of a wrench. While you are turning the wrench, ask somebody to hold the drain tightly from above. Avoid tightening the nut excessively, as it may lead to leakage or slipping of the nut over the threads. Next, you can remove the extra putty left around the drain, after drain fixing is finished.
Step 4 - Connect the P-Trap
Now, that the pop-up drain head is in place, you need to make arrangements for conveying the water out of the tub drain. Connect the drain pipe with the P trap on one side and connect its other end to the tub drain, with the help of the swivel connector. Check that the whole assembly has no loose connections. With glue and cement, reinforce all the connections and check for leakages. With this, your job is done.
Installing it personally, not only saves a lot of labor cost, it also gives you the satisfaction of fixing things on your own.
