[tucalou]

Hi Everyone,

The trip lever mechanism in my bathtub is stuck and won't budge inside the overflow pipe. We tried wd-40 and different wires to try and loosen or get it to budge but nothing is working. Last night we got a drain cleaner and poured it down the overflow pipe and the drain to get rid of hair and other stuff that might be preventing the plunger from coming up the pipe. However, it still won't budge! Is there anything else we could do before calling the plumber and making a mess out of our bathroom? We don't have a crawl space or access panel to reach the pipes. Any ideas would be great! The trip lever and everything is still in one piece and the bathtub is not older than 9 years. The whole mechanism just won't come up like it should. All the videos online show that it comes easily, and our won't even move!

[massplumber2008]

Hi Tucalou

Use some CLR down the overflow tube and let that sit for awhile. then push DOWN on the trap lever mechanism and THEN pull up real hard...should dislodge that sucker!!

If that doesn't work you may want to consider cutting an access panel in on the backside and access the pipes (they are usually removable).

Mark

[tucalou]

Thanks Mark! Is CLR like the other drain openers that get rid of hair and lime etc? We used a gel one and then one that comes in a black bottle that opens drains through heat and then another gel. Nothing worked. Anyway, I will try CLR (do u suggest any specific brand?) and do as you said! Will post an update when I do it!

Also the drain is draining pretty well. Anything we pour down the overflow pipe or drain is draining, so the chemicals (drain openers/decloggers) are not sitting for a while, they go right down the pipe!