We all shower daily. But only a long period of lying in warm aromatic water will help relieve stress and take your mind off the daily routine.
But here you are once again about to soak in the warm water, but you can’t find the cork. What to do? You can go to the store and buy a new one. What if the stores are already closed? Do not cancel the relaxing procedure. You need to use your wits and make a plug from scrap materials.
How to plug a hole in the bathroom instead of a plug?
There are many ways to plug a bathroom drain. Most often, such devices are sought by those whose old plug has broken or who urgently needs to take a bath in a rented apartment. Otherwise, it’s easier to buy a stopper at a hardware store, since the product costs a penny.
Bathroom plug options:
- Plastic bag. You need to take a clean plastic bag and fill it with cloth. The patch should be small and only slightly larger than the size of the drain hole. You need to fold the fabric and put it in a bag. After this, the cellophane must be tied and placed in the drain hole. Now you can open the tap and fill the bath. The resulting nodule will be sucked into the hole, where it will remain until the end of the bath.
- Foil. This is a one-time option, so it is suitable if you urgently need to close the drain hole, but there is nothing else at hand. In this case, you need to take a decent piece of foil and crumple it. After this, the lump is inserted into the drain hole.
- Cup. It is best to use a plastic glass for these purposes, since a glass container can break into pieces if it hits a metal bathtub. The glass must be installed upside down.
How to plug a hole in the bathroom instead of a plug?
Problems
How to remove a plug from a bathtub if it is tightly stuck in the outlet?
It all depends on its material and design.
The easiest way to do this is with a rubber plug: you just need to pick it up by the edge with a flat-head screwdriver.
This also applies to a metal plug with a rubber shell.
You can try to remove the plastic plug with the same screwdriver, alternately prying it from different sides.
If this does not help, a corkscrew for wine bottles can often save the situation: it is screwed into the cork, after which it is removed with some effort. Of course, after this you will need to go to the store to get a replacement for the damaged part.
Finally, if the corkscrew turns out to be powerless, you have to take radical measures: the cork is drilled in the middle and removed with pliers.
The biggest problem that can cause the owner is a brass plug stuck in the outlet of an old bathtub. Especially if the eye for the chain, which can be caught with pliers, is broken off. Sometimes it is possible to grab its edge with a gas wrench. If the key slips, you have to disassemble the outlet and knock out the plug from below, which is extremely inconvenient due to the tightness under the bathtub.
The worst case scenario is dismantling the cast iron outlet. In this case, it is easier to change the entire harness.
As a rule, cast iron trims are equipped with brass plugs. Here are some recommendations for dismantling them:
- First, disconnect the outlet from the tubular siphon by unscrewing the union nut on the connection. This can be done with a gas wrench No. 3 - No. 4;
- Try to unscrew the outlet by inserting open pliers into its grille. If necessary, use any lever inserted between their handles;
- If the outlet does not work, heat it from below with a hair dryer or blowtorch. Thermal expansion will do its job, and the thread will move.
If the semi-automatic piping drive or the piping latch breaks down, the plug will also remain in the outlet. You can try to swing it with a plunger and pry it off with a pair of screwdrivers or knives.
How to make a new cork with your own hands?
If for some reason you don’t feel like checking out local plumbing stores, but have a tube of silicone sealant on hand, the instructions will be quite simple:
- Glue a paper mold for casting in the shape of a truncated cone with a glued bottom, the size corresponding to the outlet grille;
- Place a rope with a loop at the end or a chain into it;
- Fill the mold with sealant. After it dries, you will receive an original and durable cork.
Any object can be cast from sealant. You just need to make a mold.
How to plug a bathtub if there is no plug for it?
If your bathtub outlet has a stainless mesh that protects the drain from hair and other debris, place a plastic bag under it. It will ensure the release is tight, and the mesh will prevent it from floating up.
The photo shows an improvised plug made from a mesh for release and a plastic bag.
How to replace the plug in the bathroom if a mesh or other suitable weight is not at hand?
Here are some of the most obvious solutions:
- Wrinkle a dish sponge, place it in a plastic bag and plug the outlet;
- Fill the same bag with some water, tie it and place it on the grate in the bathtub outlet;
- Cover the outlet with a plastic cup or a wet rag folded several times.
The outlet grate can be plugged with any suitable object, as long as it does not allow water to pass through.
How to make a bathroom stopper with your own hands?
There are a lot of options for making a bathroom plug. Handymen who cannot sit idle for a minute love to get involved in this activity.
DIY bathroom plug:
- Flip-flop. Old shoes with foam soles are very suitable for making cork. It is necessary to cut the plug to the size of the drain hole with a stationery knife. Next, you need to tie a rope or chain. This plug fits perfectly into the drain hole and water does not leak out.
- Wine corks. You need to connect several wine corks together. In this case, you need to cut them so that there are no voids or holes left between the pieces. Then the resulting circle is adjusted to the size of the drain hole. You can fill everything with silicone and let it harden.
- Tree. It is very easy to cut a chopstick from wood; it should exactly match the diameter of the drain in size. For a better fit, you need to grind down the edges so that they are perfectly even.
- Salt. Well, this is an emergency method. You need to pour a little salt into a sock or small fabric bag and put it in the drain hole. Such a homemade plug will be sucked inside, which will prevent water from spilling out.
- Styrofoam. If you still have foam packaging from the equipment, you can use it to make a plug. It is necessary to cut a circle according to the size of the drain hole and place it inside.
How to make a bathroom stopper with your own hands?
Classification
When purchasing a seemingly ordinary thing - a plug for a sink, you need to take advantage of a number of observations. They are shaped like a truncated cone, and are also made from various materials and take different sizes.
These simple devices are necessary to shut off the drainage hole, used and no longer needed, dirty running water.
Mechanical jam
It is a bathroom stopper with a chain, made of plastic, rubber or metal and coated with a thin layer of a substance that protects the product from corrosion.
This is the oldest of all devices, but it is the most reliable, on a par with the latest mechanisms, which at any time can become unusable.
Automatic plug
A more modern thing, activated by light pressure from any part of the body. This is very convenient, since you don’t have to think about how to remove the bathroom plug, because you don’t even have to bend over, making extra unnecessary movements.
Semi-automatic stopper
This bathroom drain stopper will allow you to close and open the damper using a lever, button or small handle without direct contact with the object.
Self-production
Force majeure happens when something needed at the right time is lost. In such unpleasant moments, you have to use all your ingenuity to find a way to solve the current unforeseen circumstances.
In this case, you can improvise by independently turning into reality a prototype of a universal bathroom stopper from scrap materials found in the dusty corners of the house.
Of course, for one single case you shouldn’t invent an airplane, but hastily build something similar, but you can, of course, be original by working on an entire work of art.
Temporary bushings
For one-time use, you can take a piece of foam and cut it to size. There is another technique, but it is less durable - this is a sheet of crumpled newsprint, pushed into the hole in dense layers to avoid leaks.
You can also tie a plastic bag around the crumpled sheet, tying it in a knot and sticking it into the passage - this will be a more long-term option compared to the previous variation.
But there is an option to spend a little more time to try to create a more durable option.
How to make a bathroom stopper from a piece of wood? It’s very simple, first take a ruler and measure the diameter. Then transfer the marks to the wooden beam. The next step will be cutting to the diameter and processing the material with sandpaper.
Next, all that remains is to saturate the product with a hydrophobic chemical so that it repels moisture, preventing the log from swelling.
- A beautiful lid with an unusual antique-style design will be made from wine corks connected together, but try not to leave gaps between them. This design can be covered with special glue or filled with epoxy resin - this will create an unsurpassed effect and a pleasant smooth surface.
No matter how funny it may sound, a plug made from old flip-flops will come out very airtight if you can carefully cut the rubber exactly to the shape.
What can you use to make a bathroom drain plug?
You can make a drain plug from improvised means and available materials. Very often, children's toys, in particular balls, are used as corks.
Materials for making a bathroom stopper:
- Silicone. The manufacturing method is quite simple. It is necessary to place a bag in the drain hole and pour silicone into it. It is necessary to level the silicone with a plastic spoon. The silicone will take the shape of the drain hole. After hardening, the cork can be removed from the cellophane shell. If desired, you can put shells or stones inside. Don't forget the chain or rope.
- Wood. Not the best option for making cork. But if you have no choice and need to plug the hole with something, you can use a piece of wood. Cut a cylinder to the shape of the drain hole.
- Rubber. This is an excellent material for making plugs. It is soft, easily compressed and molds to the shape of the drain hole. It is necessary to cut a cork of a suitable size from a piece of rubber.
What can you use to make a bathroom drain plug?
Advantages of an automatic system
The operation of the device begins by pressing without the use of additional devices. There is a hidden button inside the cork that is not visible to outsiders. Nowadays, you can choose automatic bath plugs depending on your bathroom design. In addition to the advantages, the devices also have some negative aspects.
High price of the product and its repair. Automatic devices cannot be purchased separately, as they are part of the siphon system. If the automatic plug fails, the siphon is completely replaced.
Breakdown frequency. Devices can often break down, especially for low-quality units. Failure may be caused by wear of the spring that drives it or wear of the rubber seal.
To prevent breakdowns, it is worth choosing in favor of well-known companies producing plugs. The best and highest quality bathroom stoppers are made by the German company IKEA.
Common people call this another negative aspect of using automatic devices. They begin to work only when pressed with a hand or foot that is immersed in water. But this is difficult to do if very cold or boiling water is poured into the bathtub.
How to buy a stopper and siphon for a bathroom on Aliexpress?
of siphons and plugs for bathtubs on sale. Models differ from each other not only in shape, but also in material.
Siphon design:
- Bottle type. This is a familiar design that resembles an ordinary bottle located below the pipe. It turns out that under water pressure, debris can settle in this container. The main advantage of such a siphon is the ability to quickly clear the blockage. Such siphons prevent clogging of the sewer and riser. It is enough to periodically clean such a siphon and remove accumulations of fat, hair and waste from it.
- Pipe. This is a structure consisting of several tubes. All the debris settles in the elbow, that is, in the curved tube.
- Flat. This is also a tube system in which the water seal is represented by a horizontal tube. Under the influence of water, particles settle in this horizontal tube. To clean the system, simply remove and wash the horizontal tube.
- Corrugated. These are ordinary corrugated tubes, wound several times. The cheapest option, which quickly becomes clogged due to the relief of the tubes.
To make your first order on Aliexpress , read the instructions for registering and searching for goods, payment and delivery on the official website here , or read the article on our website “First order on Aliexpress” .
Aliexpress is a universal site where you can purchase many household goods.
These are in the Aliexpress catalog : siphons, stoppers and bathroom fixtures .
Now on the site there is a huge number of cheap and exquisite bathroom items.
Now a bathroom stopper is not just a piece of rubber, but a real work of art.
How to buy a stopper and siphon for a bathroom on Aliexpress
As you can see, making a bathroom stopper is very simple. To do this, you do not need to know how to work with carpentry tools. If necessary, you can close the drain using a regular glass.
Variety of devices
Many people want to relax and lie in warm water, so that it does not flow out of the bathroom; they should buy a stopper, which is used to close the hole in the pipe. This may be a device with a chain, familiar from ancient times, or it may be a modern device of a semi-automatic or fully automatic nature.
Outwardly, a cone-shaped device familiar to ordinary people, which helps close the hole from the bathroom, is a mechanical plug. It is usually made of rubber, plastic or metal material.
With this device, the drain is reliably and firmly closed. Moreover, it cannot fail. Unfortunately, sometimes the plug can get stuck inside the hole.
More modern mechanisms are automatic and semi-automatic bathroom plugs. The first device begins to work after a simple press made by hand or foot. The operation of the semi-automatic device begins with pressing the lever.
Selecting a semi-automatic system
The semi-automatic version of the water drainage device has been used since the beginning of the new millennium. It is used for a hole located on the side of the bathtub; it is used to remove excess water.
The operation of the auto device consists of several stages:
- The lever on the overflow is being installed.
- Connect the overflow and the tube of the drain structure, followed by installing the plug.
- The lever turns, setting the structure in motion.
In addition to the lever, you can install a rotary ring, button, decorative valve or handle. The convenience of the design lies in the absence of the need to tilt or lower your hand into the water. But such a system also has negative aspects. After 3 years, the structure jams, so the drain closes unreliably.
Squeeze out the plug, creating increased pressure inside
The most extreme method is the hussar method. We don’t recommend using it to anyone, since most often it ends in a broken bottle, spilled wine, or cleaning up. And sometimes there are cuts on the hands. Its essence is to cut off the neck of a bottle with a saber swing. In her absence - with a knife, an ax, a metal rod...
We recommend reading: Trellis for grapes
And now the wine is safely opened. Nothing broke, nothing spilled, all hands were intact without cuts. Have a nice evening or day! As you wish!
Instructions for repairing through damage (cracks, holes) in acrylic bathtubs
In order to repair a hole in the bathtub you will need: - a drill with a drill Ø2-3 mm; - abrasive wheel; — repair kit for cosmetic repairs of acrylic bathtubs; — repair kit for major repairs of acrylic bathtubs; — sandpaper No. 100, 200, 400; — universal putty (epoxy, “pe brulex”, etc.); — bath enamel (“stakryl”, “epoxin”, “tikkurila reflex 50”, etc.); — reinforcing tape with glass fiber; - alcohol.
Drill holes with a diameter of 2-3 mm at the ends of the crack. This is done in order to prevent their further development. Clean the damaged area with 100-grit sandpaper and degrease it with alcohol.
Mix the resin from the repair kit for the overhaul of acrylic bathtubs with the hardener in the proportions specified in the instructions. Apply a layer of resin to the repair area. Apply reinforcing material over the resin. Press it into the resin and apply a second layer of adhesive on top, ensuring that it saturates the material and penetrates all the pores. Wait until the resin hardens. The waiting time is specified in the instructions for the repair kits. Some of them require the application of several layers of reinforcing material. Follow these requirements.
After all layers have been applied and hardened, sand the repair area first with No. 200 sandpaper, then No. 400. Make sure the treated surface is as even and smooth as possible.
Treat the repair surface with alcohol and apply polish from the repair kit for cosmetic repairs of acrylic bathtubs. Polish the repair area with flannel.
Repair of through holes in cast iron and steel bathtubs
If the hole in the cast iron bath looks like a crack, drill holes with a diameter of 2-3 mm at its ends with an electric drill. You don't have to do this in an iron bath.
Treat the damage with an electric drill and an abrasive wheel so that a crater-shaped crater forms around the damage. The damaged area must be cleaned to bare metal. The larger the chamfer of the funnel and the flatter its edges, the better.
Degrease the repair area with alcohol. Mix universal putty based on epoxy resins with the hardener in the proportion specified in the instructions. Apply the mixture to the edges of the damage. Apply fiberglass reinforcement tape to the damage, pressing it firmly to the surface. Apply another layer of putty over the tape. Give it time to harden a little. Repeat the operation with the application of reinforcing tape again. When covering it with resin, try to keep the surface of the damage slightly higher than the surrounding surfaces of the bath.
After the resin has completely hardened, sand the damage first with No. 100 sandpaper, then with No. 400 sandpaper. Try to ensure that the surface of the damage is flush with the surrounding surface. Degrease it with alcohol and apply one of the bath enamels (“stakryl”, “epoxin”, “tikkurila reflex 50”, etc.). Since the technology for applying enamels may be different, follow the instructions for the specific material.
Bathroom drains and overflows - types and features
The simplest type of design is considered to be a standard overflow drain: water is drawn into the bathroom with the plug closed, and drained, accordingly, with the plug open. These are the kind of drains that were previously installed in any bathtub and were found in almost every apartment.
There are also more original products - they are made for bathtubs of non-standard models, but automatic and semi-automatic overflow drains are in greatest demand, and we will talk about them in more detail.
Semi-automatic drain – design features and advantages
Semi-automatic drain mechanism A
semi-automatic bathroom drain differs from other types of this useful mechanism in that the plug closing the lower drain hole is opened using a cable that connects the drain and overflow block of the device. Thus, when using the bathtub, it is enough to slightly turn the overflow cover and the drain will open (or vice versa close).
A semi-automatic machine is very convenient, because now, in order to start drawing water into the bowl, you don’t have to bend over each time and close the drain hole with a stopper. In addition, a semi-automatic bath overflow drain visually looks more attractive than simplified design analogues. A semi-automatic drain in the bathroom has only one drawback: with intensive use of the device, the cable may begin to get stuck and jam. There are models in which the cable is located outside rather than inside the structure, but in appearance they are significantly inferior to models with a hidden cable.
Advice: when choosing a semi-automatic bathtub drain, do not save money and buy a more expensive model made from really high-quality materials.
Temporary covers
For a temporary jam you can use:
- A piece of foam, cut to fit the drain hole.
- The fastest, but also the most short-lived way to make a bathroom stopper is to crumple up a newspaper or sheet of paper. You just need to push the paper very tightly so that the homemade plug lasts longer.
- You can make the method a little more complicated: stuff the paper tightly, giving it the desired shape, then dry it, and then tie the bags, removing air from them as much as possible.
Important! You need to use 3-4 bags to block the access of water to the paper, then the seal will last longer.
- For a while, you can plug the hole with whatever you have on hand, for example, a sock or even several if one is not enough. Simply scrunch one or more socks into a ball and stuff them into the hole.
- You can fill a sock with fine salt or sand and wrap it in a plastic bag on top. Pour the filling into the sock in a small amount. Thanks to them, the sock will take the desired shape and reliably hold water in the bath.
- If you have foil on hand, crumple it into a ball and cover the drain hole with this ball. The size of the ball should be slightly larger than the hole in the shell itself. This lid holds water well, but it is disposable.
Important! You should not use this method regularly; it will cost you more than just buying a new plug.
- You can fit any children's toys of a suitable size under the cover. But, of course, they must be made of material that does not allow water to pass through. For example, it could be a ball of suitable diameter.
- Wrinkle a sponge for washing dishes, put it in a bag and insert it into the drain hole - the temporary plug is ready.
- Cover the outlet with a plastic cup or a wet rag folded several times.
