Tub Stopper Plunger Removal

[A-37]

My plunger is stuck in the UP position because it was rarely used. I tried removing it by pulling up on the linkage to no avail. I squirted some PB Blaster down the hole and let it set overnight.

Next day, I pulled on the linkage with pliers and out came the linkage but no plunger. Just like in the video (at 1:07) but they sure glossed over that incident.

Short of taking apart the drain system and pushing the plunger up from the bottom, are there any suggestions for getting that plunger out? Or should I just buy a rubber stopper for the drain for the rare occasion when someone wants to take a bath instead of a shower and return the new plunger system back to the store?

YouTube

[deerstalker]

a-37 I feel your pain.. wish I could help, but when it comes to plumbing all I get done is going back and forth to the hardware store and I get everything all screwed up. Then after the wife is screaming at me, I just call a plumber, a lot less headache in the house..

[Onomea]

Well it sure beats having the plunger stuck in the down position....

I don't know of an easy fix, but will watch to see if someone does.

Good luck!

[arjay]

Access it from the back side of the wall,pull the overflow and the drain apart.Replace plunger and repair wall
Taking these apart from the overflow plate in the past,I found it helpful to jiggle the plunger up and down repeatedly if it wanted to hang up.Eventually it would feed correctly and come out

[Onomea]

In looking at the video, the guy explaining doesn't seem to retrieve the plunger either... (Ah. I now see that is what you are saying.) When you see the plunger later, though, it looks like it has a very large place, a small bar across the top, to grab it. Maybe you could grab it with a piece of coat hanger bent into a hook on the end?

[Krell1]

Originally Posted by deerstalker

a-37 I feel your pain.. wish I could help, but when it comes to plumbing all I get done is going back and forth to the hardware store and I get everything all screwed up. Then after the wife is screaming at me, I just call a plumber, a lot less headache in the house..

I tend to stay away from any plumbing job since everything I touch turns to you know what.

This sounds like a real problem. I agree that the only way to fix it is through the wall behind the tub. I have a bathtub situated with no such access. I would say use a rubber plug and keep on truckin!!!!

[A-37]

When I remodeled my bathroom years ago, I cut a big access hole for the tub plumbing. The cover panel is a big cabinet door onto which I built a handy magazine pocket.

Notice the limited access to the tub drain system. Making it even more difficult is the proximity of the toilet. Might have to remove it to have a reasonable working area.

[arjay]

Tight squeeze,but you won't have to repair the wall

[gunnails]

You could install a toe stopper that goes over the tub drain that you click up or down with your toe.

You would need to replace the tub drain shoe thing which could turn into a huge problem if you muck that up, then also replace the over flow trim.

[Drm50]

I run into this several times a year in rental properties. The older
units are brass, if you break linkage off, it has to be taken apart
to get the shoe out, PIA under best conditions. Easiest fix is
just using rubber stopper. If you decide to take apart, replace
with plastic pop up type, not a plastic replacement for shoe type.
Whole out fits at Lowes for $15 and up, for all compression type
models. If bath tub is on second floor I would recommend the
PVC glue up models, they start at $20, but require minor fitting.
They are doable by yourself, but someone on Dummy end makes
job easier. With today's tap water in most areas, PVC holds up
better than brass/ copper on drains.

[Tom S.]

Can't fish it out with a wire?

[A-37]

Originally Posted by Tom S.

Can't fish it out with a wire?

No, it's corroded to the brass pipe wall. The pipe will have to be removed to get at the plunger. Maybe I'll just forget about and get a toe stopper.

Thanks for all the comments.