Can a clogged tub drain cause a leak?
Generally speaking a clogged drain won’t cause a leak. It’s similar to when you plunge a drain occasionally a joint might be disturbed to the point that it leaks, but it isn’t common enough to worry about. Toilets and sinks are the same way.
Why is there a leak in my bathtub drain?
Leaks from your bathtub drain can have a few causes. The leak might be caused by a problem with the plumbing below the drain itself, which will likely require a plumber’s assistance to fix. It is possible, however, that the leak is caused by a faulty seal around the drain assembly.
What to do if you have a leak in your tub?
Run water in the tub and look for any water leaking directly below it. If you see water leaking, it is very likely you have loose connections in the drain fitting or the drain trap below the tub. Tighten or repair them as needed. If running water in the tub causes no leaking, run the shower water instead.
Who is the plumber that fixes a leaky bathtub?
Richard Epstein is a licensed master plumber with over 40 years experience in residential and commercial plumbing. Problems with a leaky bathtub are often traced to the overflow tube, or overflow drain assembly.
Why does my bathtub have an overflow tube?
The overflow tube is a safety feature that helps channel water that has overfilled the tub back down into the drain pipes before it can spill over the edge of the tub. But if the fittings on the overflow tube become loose, it can allow water to spill out and drip beneath the tub, where it might even ruin the ceiling in the room below the tub.
Leaks from your bathtub drain can have a few causes. The leak might be caused by a problem with the plumbing below the drain itself, which will likely require a plumber’s assistance to fix. It is possible, however, that the leak is caused by a faulty seal around the drain assembly.
The first step in narrowing down the problem is to test whether the leak is outside or inside the drain. Fill up your tub with a measurable amount of water. Check it after an hour to determine if the water level has gone down. If it has, the leak is happening before the water drains.
Richard Epstein is a licensed master plumber with over 40 years experience in residential and commercial plumbing. Problems with a leaky bathtub are often traced to the overflow tube, or overflow drain assembly.
Do you need to seal the outside of a bathtub drain?
The area outside the drain may also need to be sealed to help insulate the tub area. Check for an access panel below or beside your bathtub that allows you to reach the piping beneath the drain. If you can access this part of the drain, the best sealant to use is plumber’s putty.
