Many homeowners don’t realize that they have “overflow” protection built into their tubs and vanity sinks, which could prevent an expensive mess. But it only works if the opening and drain are not clogged with debris, silt or hair.
Next time you fill up your tub or sink, allow it to reach the overflow level, to see if the channel is clear and readily able to draw water from the basin, in the event the faucet is left running.
If it can’t take enough water to prevent rising water from spilling onto the floor, use a pipe cleaner or small wire brush to ensure that it is clear.
Fortunately, preventing a bath tub overflow isn’t the most complex thing in the world. You’ll just have to be careful not to let debris go down this drain as you and your family enjoy the comforts of refreshing baths. Here are a few tips to keep your tub drains clear:
- Keep the drain cover on at all times. This keeps most solid objects out of your tub’s drainage line.
- Keep your tub clean and hair-free as much as possible. Your bath tub’s drain cover keeps most hair strands out, but some eventually get through. Over time, hair can accumulate in your drain and create a clog.
- Avoid disposing of oily fluids into your drain. Oil, grease and fats are known to linger on in your drain, get bigger as more debris comes in, and cause a clog.
- Educate your children on proper tub use. Kids love to play while they’re in the tub and sometimes they remove the drain covers and flush down toys. When this happens, you’ll have a clog that’s tough to remove and it can require plumbing services to clear.
