Clogged No More! Keep Bathtub Water In Without a Stopper

It's the bane of every bath lover's existence - turning on the tub faucet only to watch your precious water immediately swirl down the drain. A missing or broken stopper is not only annoying, but can turn a relaxing soak into an exercise in futility as you plug the drain with whatever is handy. But never fear, you can outsmart a leaky tub with some quick, easy fixes until that new stopper arrives!

With some common household items, you can stop the frustrating water loss and keep bath time blissful.

Why Stoppers Malfunction

Before learning how to work around a missing or faulty bathtub stopper, it helps to understand what causes them to fail in the first place. There are a few common culprits behind dysfunctional stoppers:

• Mineral buildup - Over time, stoppers accumulate mineral deposits from your water supply. The calcium and limescale can prevent a tight seal.
• Wear and tear - Frequent use takes a toll. The repeated motion of lifting and dropping the stopper leads to cracking and deterioration.
• Lost stoppers - Pop-up stoppers sometimes detach and wash down the drain when actuated. Without supervision, they are gone for good.
• Age and grime - Older stoppers with years of hair, soap scum, and gunk have sealing problems due to the accumulation.

While a new stopper is the ultimate solution, it's not always immediately on hand when yours gives out. Knowing how to plug the drain ASAP lets you enjoy baths in the interim.

Temporary Bathtub Stopper Solutions

With a little creativity and some common household items, you can fashion makeshift stoppers in a pinch. Here are 5 handy methods for keeping water in the tub when your stopper disappears or quits sealing properly:

Coffee Pod Drain Sealer

An empty coffee pod like those used in single cup brewers is an ideal impromptu drain stopper. The tapered shape wedges neatly into drain holes of various sizes for a tight friction fit. Here's how to make it work:

• Thoroughly wash and rinse a used coffee pod to remove any grounds.
• Insert the pod's round bottom piece first into the drain hole.
• Press firmly to wedge it in snugly. The pod should sit several inches down the drain.
• For extra leak protection, wrap a rubber band around the edges of the pod once inserted.

The pod stopper should hold several inches of water with no problem. Just be sure to remove it when bathing is complete so the drain functions normally again.

Toilet Plunger Suction Seal

An ordinary toilet plunger can double as a quick fix drain cover too. Here's how to get a watertight seal:

• Thoroughly wash the plunger's rubber suction end with soap and water.
• Position the rubber cup firmly over the drain hole, whether push/pull or pop-up style.
• Press down hard to flatten the cup and create an airtight seal.
• The resulting suction should stop any water from draining out.

With practice, you can achieve a robust enough vacuum seal to hold several inches of water. Just be sure to break the suction and remove the plunger when finished to prevent overflow.

Plumber's Putty Snake

For a quick fillable drain plug, turn to common plumber's putty. Simply roll a chunk into a "snake" shape and insert into the tub drain as follows:

• Take a large pinch of plumber's putty and roll between your palms into a rope about 1/2 inch thick.
• Make the rope long enough to sufficiently plug the drain - usually 6 inches does the trick.
• Work the putty rope down the drain hole, packing it in tightly to fill the space.
• The putty should mold to the drain opening, forming a custom watertight seal.

Plumber's putty is an excellent emergency drain stopper since it's adjustable and hardens slightly once in place. Remember to remove it after the bath - it can harden over time and clog pipes.

Jar Lid Drain Cover

For tubs with flat, flush drains, a rigid jar lid makes an easy cover. Here's how to implement this stopper method:

• Select a small metal or plastic lid slightly wider than the drain diameter.
• Clean the underside of the lid to maximize its adherence.
• Place the lid over the drain hole and press down firmly to create a tight seal.
• The lid's solid, flat surface should form a watertight barrier.

For added leakage protection, apply some plumber's putty around the lid edges first to help it seal. Just take care to remove the lid after bathing to keep the pipes clear.

Duct Tape Drain Patch

While less durable than other options, you can make a version of a stopper with regular household duct tape:

• Cut a long strip of duct tape approximately 18 inches.
• Roll and press the tape tightly together into a rope shape.
• Wrap the tape rope around the drain hole several times to completely seal the opening.
• Press firmly all around so the tape adheres tightly.

This quick fix likely won't hold up to a ton of water pressure. But for a shallow bath, it can temporarily stop the flow as more heavy duty solutions are pursued.

Caution About Safety and Maintenance

While the above methods work in a pinch, it's important to exercise good judgment when using makeshift drain stoppers:

• Remove promptly - Never leave objects blocking the drain for extended periods. Remove them after each use.
• Prevent overflow - Monitor water levels closely. Don't overfill the tub beyond stopper capacity.
• Clear clogs - If necessary, use a zip tool to remove any stuck putty or pod pieces.
• Get a replacement - Pursue a new stopper or drain overhaul for a permanent fix.

DIY stoppers are handy temporary solutions. But take care, as it's easy to forget tub blockages. Always put safety first and restore proper drainage when bathing is complete.

Dealing with a missing or broken bathtub stopper doesn't have to put a damper on your bathing routine. With everyday items like coffee pods, plungers, and jar lids, you can fashion quick filler stoppers to keep the water inside. Just be attentive and take care to remove any tub blockages promptly after use.

In a pinch, these simple methods help maintain your tub enjoyment until a replacement stopper is installed. No more futile soak sessions watching your bathwater swirl away! A little clever positioning of household objects lets you plug the problem and luxuriate in your tub again.