Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    BudAD88's Avatar
    BudAD88 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Jan 20, 2013, 07:23 PM
    Should an overflow drain leak?
    The overflow drain on my bathtub leaks behind the wall when water goes unto the overflow drain. From the underside (acess door in the ceiling downstairs) it appears the water is leaking from around the gasket, possibly from an inproper seal. My facility maintenance person seems to thing its not supposed to be for overflowing water but for more of an air vent. My question is, if the drain was sealed properly, would it be leaking even if the water was overflowing through the drain?
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #2

    Jan 21, 2013, 06:09 AM
    Hi Bud

    Ahhh... maintenace dude that has no clue how tub drains work or are assembled... *UGH*

    The tub waste and overflow assembly of a tub is designed to be 100% leak-proof. The overflow does not act to introduce air into the system... it is designed to catch any water that may get above the overflow... acts as a defense against the tub overflowing.

    Air is introduced into the tub drain system itself via a tub vent that is somewhere beind the wal so you can't see it.

    Now, the maintenance person should be able to get a basic replacement tapered overflow gasket (see image) and install it through an access panel upstairs or can replace it through the front of the tub by removing the face plate and exchanging old for new, OK? Should be that simple!

    Mark
    Attached Images
      
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Connect a sink drain to a tub overflow drain [ 10 Answers ]

I am in the middle of a basement finishing project. My wife would like a kitchen type sink added, the location shares a common wall with the bathroom. It so happens to be directly behind the tub, drain end. The only access I currently have to a drain would be to the overflow of the tub (none...

Sink drain overflow into dishwasher drain hose. [ 4 Answers ]

I replaced my GE Triton Profile Performance dishwasher and installed a new Bosch SHE55M0 today. After completing the installation, I ran my sink faucet, and noticed that some water was passing back through the dishwasher drain hose back toward the direction of the dishwasher. The only reason that...

Leak in Jacuzzi Overflow Drain [ 2 Answers ]

Hi, we recently bought a new home with a jacuzzi tub. It has a leak in the overflow. The drain/overflow is a rotary style which I haven't seen before. However, I think maybe either the rotary stopper is not installed correctly or there is a problem with a gasket. If you take off the stopper...

Bathtub overflow leak? [ 1 Answers ]

Hi, I have called several plumbers, but no one has given me an answer. I live on the bottom floor in a condo. My floor is sometimes wet after I shower, but I can't seem to find the source of the leak. The plumber says it's not coming from the toilet, that it may be the bath tub overflow. The...

Bathub Overflow Leak [ 3 Answers ]

I have a fiberglass tub surround on the second floor and when the water reaches the overflow it leaks onto the ceiling below (now the floor since the ceiling had to be removed). I've tightened the screws on the overflow cover and even applied a bead of plumbers putty behind it but no luck. I...

View more questions Search