Trouble With a Roller Ball in a Tub Drain

Roller Ball Tub Drain

• A roller-ball plug in a bathtub drain doesn’t have the once-traditional lever mechanism to open or close it. Instead, you touch the drain directly. Push down on the smooth top of the plug and press it toward the bottom of the tub to close it. To open up the drain again, pull up on the top of the plug. It resists moving for a moment, then shifts upward and allows water to pass into the drainpipe. If you push down on the roller ball plug while it is closing off the drain, nothing happens. It won’t open up until you pull up on it.

Problems

• Common problems with a roller ball plug in a tub drain include the plug sticking or the drain running slowly. The plug can stick if mineral build up or hair stick to it and gum up the works. The plug mechanism prevents you from placing a mesh trap inside the drain to trap hair, soap slivers and other bits of debris. This debris can get caught either on the plug or inside the drainpipe, interfering with the tub’s ability to drain at a normal rate.

Solutions

• A sticky roller ball plug must be cleaned to get back full functionality in your drain. Grip the top of the plug and rotate it counter clockwise until you can lift it out of the drain. Rub it clean of any debris or build up clinging to it with distilled white vinegar and a sponge. Once it is clean, put it back in the drain and turn it clockwise until it is back in place. To clear a clogged drain, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into the drain, then pour in 1 cup white vinegar. Wait until the sizzling sound dies down, then flush the pipe with water.

Considerations

• Because of the way the roller ball plug sits in the drain, it can get in the way when you try to pour baking soda or vinegar into the drain. Remove the plug to pour in the drain clearers, then replace the plug. Keeping hair and other debris can cut down on problems with tub drains. If you purchase a deep enough mesh trap, you can place it upside down on top of the roller ball plug. Even though it is inverted, it can catch the soap bits and hairs before they get into the drain.