Hello, my first time here.

My upstairs bathtub was draining slowly, a plumber here to snake the cesspool suggested something. First off, it is the big one piece fiberglass shower/tub fixture. I think it's a really common & standard setup, nothing fancy.

I took the sifter plate off the floor drain and cleaned out a little bit of hair. It still drained as slowly as before. He suggested unscrewing the plate just under the tub faucet with the little lever, pull out the drum mechanism, take a wet washcloth to temporarily seal that opening as best I could, and plunge the floor drain. So I did this. Didn't really seem too effective.

However, while stuffing the wet washcloth into the opening, the pipe behind the lever plate pulled away from the wall. It is still connected at the bottom, and I was able to drop the drum mechanism down the pipe, replace the face plate with the lever, and screw it back together, tightly against the shower wall. But now there is almost no water drianage at all. What the heck happened? Maybe there was a clog at that location that has shifted and now become really problematic?

I'm mechanically inclined, and very good with my hands, I just don't have experience with plumbing, I would greatly appreciate any help you can offer.

Well, I fixed my problem. Lol

My hypothesis was correct. When I plunged it the first time.. I didn't do it with enough force. I must have just moved the clog a bit and really stopped it up. I stuffed the pipe behind the lever plate really tight with a wet washcloth, and plunge dthe HECK out of the floor drain.. lo and behold a monstrous clump of hair etc etc came up after pulling on it. (yuck)

Now it drains like a champ!

I hope this helps someone else

You have just proven what the experts here advise. When plunging a bathtub the overflow MUST be air tight or you will get no suction from the plunger. We're glad you got your clog fixed. If we can ever help please feel free. Cheers, Tom