[millbillj]

Hi I just bought a house and my bathtub plunger is stuck, so I am unable to use it for baths. I popped of the lever and attempted to pull the plunger up, but was unable to. The water is from a well and pretty hard which I think may be causing the plunger to be stuck, can you guide me to how I cn get it unstuck?

[massplumber2008]

You can try pouring a little CLR (calcium, lime, rust remover... sold at any home supply store) down the overflow tube. Let it sit for a couple hours and then try to pull up on the plunger again. I'd use a pair of pliers and I'd leverage it out... spin the connector if needed... should release.

You may also want to try pushing the plunger inward... then pull up.

Let us know how you make out...

Mark

[speedball1]

You could also squirt some WD-40 down there to loosen the plunger, (see image) If the linkage should break you can open up the access panel behind the drain and disconnect the tub waste assembly. Then you could do one of two things,
1) push the plunger on through and clean the plunger and pipe wall with steel wool . **OR**
2) simply replace the entire assembly.
Good luck, Tom

[millbillj]

It worked! I got the plunger out, and it was gross. It took some more CLR to get the plunger to move freely, but I got it working.

Thanks for your help!

[massplumber2008]

Great! Now that you've freed the plunger take it out and sand it down real good. Then apply some PLUMBER'S GREASE (silicone grease or heat-pruf grease) and grease the plunger up real good. That should keep it working real good for years!~

Mark