[jdprnmtnnana]

WE live in manufactured home and are having a problem with drain flies. I believe they are coming from tub drain. I need to remove the toe touch drain in order to clean the drain with a brush. How do I get it removed? I tried turning CCW with no results. Am I not persistent enough?

[twinkiedooter]

Don't remove the drain stopper. Try a product called Zip It - Walmart less than $3. It is a long piece of flat plastic that has little barbs on the sides to catch any hair, clogs, etc. No need to remove your drain stopper to use this as it is quite flexible and bends easily.

If you think you have flies coming from your bathtub drain try leaving the drain closed when not in use and that should stop them.

[speedball1]

Not quite as simple as twink would have you believe. I can show you how to remove the stopper but brushing or "zipping" the drain won't get rud of drain flies. Neither will simply closing the stopper. They'll jusr come out of the tub waste and overflow. A drain fly infestation will be difficult to remove. Here's something that may help.

MOTH OR DRAIN FLIES

Moth or drain flies are small black flies which
Thrive in drain pipes and sewer lines. They need
A lot of moisture to complete their life cycle.
Drain flies do not fly well. They tend to drift
And seem to float along more than fly. Their
Wings are shaped like a leaf of a plant and one
Can see hair like fibers on all parts of their
Body which is why they are also called moth flies.
I have dealt with drain fly infestations in
Many homes which start in the sink or bathroom
Shower. The drain lines which have the most
Activity seem to be the ones most likely to have
An infestation. I have also observed that homes
With septic tanks seem most likely to get them.
I am not sure if there is some kind of build up
Which occurs more with this type of drainage
Or if there is something in the tank which allows
These flies to prosper. Although these homes
Seem more likely to get drain flies, once the
Cycle begins it takes place in the home. I have
Encountered several infestations where the larva
Were found crawling out of shower or bath tub
Drains. The homeowners thought they were some
Kind of leach. In fact, the larva of drain flies
Thrive in a slime buildup which is on virtually
Any drain pipe which is used a lot. This slime
Enables the eggs which are laid to be protected
And sheltered. The eggs and hatching larva
Embed themselves in this slime so they don't wash
Away. The cycle of these flies takes around
A month to complete. Don't waste your time with
Bleach or other cleaning solvents. Showers and tubs
Which have ceramic tiles may also supply a moist
Slimy environment in which they can live. Sump
Pumps and wet crawl spaces are other environments
Where I have seen them live. Drain flies can be harder
To control than other small flies. Although
There are several products to kill adults, the
Key is maintaining and minimizing their breeding
Areas. This could prove to be difficult and
Ongoing.
Like most flies, there are several products
Available for their control. Use a "SPACE SPRAY"
For immediate relief of the adults. There are
Several to choose from in the section below.
This will quickly control the adults, but the
Secret to getting rid of them is to use a
Product we sell which removes the slime build
Up on drain pipes. By removing this slime, the
Larva cannot develop. This will stop the cycle.
In the "SURFACE SPRAY" section below, look for
The product called SURVIVORS. This is applied
Down drain pipes and will remove the nest sights
These flies need. You may also use the product
Called PT-CYKICK which is located in the same
Section. It is ideal for treating in cracks and
Crevices where these flies like to lay eggs. Such
Cracks will develop around ceramic tile, windows
And grout joints.
Let me knowx if you need more. Good luck, Tom

[twinkiedooter]

Speedball dear, most mobile homes do not have drain overflows in the tubs. Never saw them in any mobile home I've ever been in. They were not in the brand new manufactured homes that were sold at the dealer where I worked at regardless of the price!

You advice would be applicable to a regular home as most homes have run off drains so you don't overflow your tub. I can't tell you how many times I've overflowed by tub in my mobile home due to the fact I was not paying attention!

[speedball1]

OK Twink! I'll give you the bathtub drain thingy. I'ts been many years since I worked in a mobilehome factory but you can't get rid of drain flies by closing off or brushing the drain. Once they've infested your home you have a hard time removing them. I know. It took me months to get them out of the house.
I wish them luck, They're going to need it. Cheers, Tom

[hkstroud]

jdprnmtnnanask how to remove the drain stopper.


jdprnmtnnanask
These come in a variety of flavors. Try reaching underneath and holding the body of the stopper while twisting the top CCW.

[jdprnmtnnana]

Thanks everyone, but now I'm just confused. I can't get "underneath the stopper to hold it while twisting. And I read online about cleaning the inside of the drain with brush and soap solution to get rid of that "slime". Where do I find this product SURVIVORS? Online or local store? It sounds much easier than taking drain out and scrubbing.

[hkstroud]

Can you post a picture of the drain valve?

[speedball1]

Which stopper is yours?