For the life of me, I can't figure out how to close the plug on my tub drain. I'm sure it plugs up, because I've done it before.

The setup is as follows: single handle faucet; no shower nozzle; for tub use only; no lever to move the plug up/down.

I can remove the chrome plug by unscrewing it (it screws to the middle of the drain). I can screw it back on. I can't close it fully, though. It stays open about an inch or so. It has a rubber gasket on it which somewhat confirms that it should close.

It's not one that you step on to open and close.

Thanks, in advance, for your help.

Is this a toe tap plug, one that you just push down with your toe?

I have a toe-tapping one on my other tub, so I know what you're referring. This is different from that, at least I think it is. I screwed it on and then tried stepping on it, but it didn't budge. Are the toe-tapping ones screwed onto the base somehow?

They do screw onto a spinal in the center of the drain, usually a brass threaded rod. Any chance of a pic?

It sounds like you've described it correctly. I screw the brass rod into the center of the drain. It stops at a certain point. I tried pushing it down from there, but it didn't seem to budge. I have extremely hard water... could that we obstructing it somehow? I didn't want to jump on it for fear of doing more damage.

If it is a toe tap it can be so full of scale that its stuck. Remove it and soak it overnight in vinegar or Limeaway.

Do any of these look like what you have? Cheers, Tom

As a last resort if my ideas did not work try slowly rotating the plug to see if there is a slot where it will drop down when you hit the right spot. Tell us how its going.

Speedball Tom,

If I remember correctly, the drain looks like the third of the four pictures. It has a center post (rod) that screws into a center anchor. I can screw the post onto the anchor up to a certain point and then it won't screw any further. I think it needs to close about another 3/4 inch in order to seal the tub.

Speedball Tom,

If I remember correctly, the drain looks like the third of the four pictures. It has a center post (rod) that screws into a center anchor. I can screw the post onto the anchor up to a certain point and then it won't screw any further. I think it needs to close about another 3/4 inch in order to seal the tub.
This is what your stopper looks like inside, (see image), Now point out your problem. Regards, Tom

RESOLUTION:

I soaked the drain plug in white vinegar for two days which removed all the hard water deposits. I screwed the plug post into the center anchor and, voilà, the plug worked as it was supposed to. Another big thanks to Ballenger and Speedball for their expert input!