question about tub overflow drain

[grinder]

The stopper on my tub jams up and won't allow me to stop the drain. As part of the initial stages of repair, I took off the cover plate and pulled the stopper assembly out, but the threaded ends of the cover plate bolts rusted into where they were screwed into on the overflow drain. Any thoughts on how I can fix this without calling a plumber? I have thought about just using a rubber stopper to plug the drain whenever needed, but the overflow needs to be covered or plated. FWIW, my house was built in 1968 and has cast iron drains.

 

[NickDanger]

If your house was built in the 60's, chances are high that you have a linen closet behind the tub controls and a laundry hamper on the bottom. Remove the hamper if you have one and you will have access to the whole assembly. Just replace the whole thing.

Just a guess. It's kinda hard to tell what your problem is.

 

[grinder]

Nick - I don't think I have a closet or hamper to allow access from the back, but I'll double check. If not, looks like I'll have to call the plumber.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[NickDanger]

Sometimes you have to cut through some sheetrock in the hall and sometimes there is a closet behind the controls where you might get access.

I guess that what you are saying is that there is a flange that fits up against the back of the tub overflow and the screws that hold it snug up against the back of the tub are the ones that have rusted. A little penetrating oil isn't going to hurt anything. There is a possibility that you could drill them out and retap the flange for some larger machine screws, but not many DIY'ers have the tools for that.