Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    Sands2001's Avatar
    Sands2001 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Oct 12, 2010, 04:38 PM
    New bath tub won't drain, air vent problem?
    Our recently installed bathtub (plus shower) drains very slowly (you get about 3-4 inches of water during a fairly short shower). We've snaked it & poured zonk (way more powerful than draino) many times. It made little or no difference. The drain seems to drain just fine when there's only a bit of water in the tub, it's only when it gets full that it stops. We had someone take a look and he said the plumber failed to install an air vent.

    We will try to get the contracter who installed it to fix it but that could be difficult. (We had some issues with him and I think the plumber he charged us for didn't exist since we never actually saw him and he probably just did the work himself - there were a few other relatively minor screwups I doubt a legit plumber would have done that we had to get fixed as well).

    But anyway, we have new tile around the tub and on the otherside is another bathroom that is tiled halfway up the wall, making it difficult to open up the wall (and the room below is finished).

    Are there any solutions for what appears to be a missing air vent that don't involve tearing out the wall? Or, are there any other possibilities for why the drain is slow? The house is a 1959 2-story house, and I don't know if the drain in the original tub worked since we never used it. Thanks.
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
    		  
    #2

    Oct 12, 2010, 07:26 PM

    Ask you building department if they allow air admittance valves (AAV) Does the tub have an overflow plate?
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #3

    Oct 13, 2010, 05:52 AM

    Does the tub gurgle" when it drains? This isn't a tub without a overflow is it?
    We will try to get the contracter who installed it to fix it but that could be difficult. (We had some issues with him and I think the plumber he charged us for didn't exist since we never actually saw him and he probably just did the work himself - there were a few other relatively minor screwups I doubt a legit plumber would have done that we had to get fixed as well).
    This job should have had a permit pulled and the work inspected. Was it? If not then contact your Building Department and have the job inspected. Now you should have enough ammunition to take your shoddy contractor to court. Keep me in the loop on this and post a follow up. Good luck, Tom
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!

Bath tub drain [ 11 Answers ]

My sisters bath tub drain is a pop up type (turn right it closes, turn left it pops open). We need to take the plug out to clean. How do I do this?

Bath tub drain [ 1 Answers ]

Run water in tub drains. Fill tub does not drain S L O W L Y drains. Used plunger and snake still drains slowly hours.

Bath Drain Waste and Vent For Bathroom [ 3 Answers ]

Ok, here is my original project I was working on but while read plumbing books I came across something that made me address my other post about the sewer smell in the upstairs sink. Anyway, this is a master bath project on the first floor. Attached is a diagram based off what I was thinking...

Bath Tub Drain Vent [ 4 Answers ]

We are installing a new shower in the first floor bath and there is no vent for the drain. We live in a three story 106 year old story house. All three floors are finished. Venting to the roof is not an option. What can we do?

View more questions Search