How to Repair a Gerber Tub Drain
Gerber has been manufacturing drain parts and bathroom fixtures in the United States for over 75 years. Their line of bathtub drains includes brass, PVC/ABS and schedule 40 materials. The first part of the tub drain that is visible is the drain flange, the metal component at the bottom of the tub. This, in turn, is screwed into the drain shoe beneath the tub. In some instances, especially in older homes, the tub drain can leak, causing water damage. In this case, you should repair your Gerber tub drain as soon as possible.
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Remove the lift and turn stopper, if present. Grab the small extension nub at the top of the lift and turn stopper. Rotate this counterclockwise to remove. Pull the stopper off the center support. If you have trouble removing the nub, use two pairs of pliers, one to hold the stopper steady, the other to turn the nub. If the stopper is the only part of the Gerber tub drain that needs to be repaired, stop here. Otherwise continue to Step 2.
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Remove the tub drain flange, the metal or PVC fixture that drains the water in the end of the tub. This step may be difficult because the tub drain flanges are, because of their nature, secured in place tightly. One trick is to insert two screwdrivers into the holes in the drain. Grab the screwdrivers with a pair of heavy duty pliers as you would a handle and turn counterclockwise. You can also either buy or rent a tool called a tub drain remover to assist you. Lastly, if this is an older Gerber tub drain and is stuck or rusted in place, you can cut it out with a rotary tool.
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Clean around the drain opening. Remove any rust spots with rust remover and a brush. Clean away any debris.
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Check the Gerber tub drain flange for damage. Replace it with a new one, if necessary. Turn the drain upside down. Roll out a thin strip of plumber's putty. Apply this around the diameter of the tub drain.
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Turn the drain right side up and screw into the drain opening. Tighten with the pliers or drain removal tool. Wipe away any excess putty.
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Replace the stopper. Tighten in place by screwing in counterclockwise. Replace the extension nub.
References
Tips
- You can use silicone caulk in place of plumber's putty.
- PVC is a less expensive alternative to brass when repairing or replacing older Gerber fittings.
Writer Bio
Nathan McGinty started writing in 1995. He has a Bachelor of Science in communications from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Arts in international journalism from City University, London. He has worked in the technology industry for more than 20 years, in positions ranging from tech support to marketing.
Photo Credits
- salle de bain style colonnial image by oldjazz77 from Fotolia.com
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