We all know that the best way to unwind after having a tough day is with a nice and relaxing bubble bath. So, finding the right bathtub is one of the most important investments for your leisure time. But filling your bathtub for a nice bubble bath wouldn’t be possible if you don’t have the right bathtub plug as well.
Types of Plugs for Bathtubs
To make it easier for you to choose a nice bath plug that is right for your tub and bathroom’s style, let’s explore the different types available.
Lift and Turn Plugs
The lift and turn bath plugs are known for the small knob on their cap, which is there for you to easily twisted in different directions when you want to plug/unplug them. These plug systems are installed very easily, by simply screwing their setscrew into the threaded centre of the drain crossbar. But make sure you don’t tighten the screw too much, since you’ll make it hard to remove the plug later.
Push and Pull Plugs
The push and pull plugs are similar to the lift and turn ones. Not only do they look almost identical, but they share the same installation method – simply tighten the setscrew into the drain crossbar.
However, the main difference is the way they are handled – if the lift and turn plugs are twisted, the push and pull plugs should be pushed to stop the water from flowing down the waste. Once you’re done with your bath, simply pull the plug in your direction to let the dirty water flow down.
Not only are these two types of plugs easy to install, but they’re also easy to maintain and repair if something goes wrong. This makes them the most commonly used options in bathrooms worldwide.
Pop-Up Plugs
The pop-up plugs are very easy to use since thanks to the design that includes a lever and a connecting rod that is tied to an overflow plate. Once you lift the lever, the overflow plate lowers down to let the water flow down.
As much as the pop-up plugs are the easiest to operate, and don’t require any special force unlike the lift and turn and push and pull plugs, their greatest drawback is that their plate and connecting arm get dirty very easily and must be separately removed to get cleaned. So, if you decided to go for a pop-up plug, make sure you don’t pour any liquids that can clog the drain.
Flip It Plugs
Just as simple as they sound, flip it plugs are very easy to operate and even easier to install. Actually, these plugs are sealed above your drain and feature a simple toggle lever, usually to the side or above the stopper. The lever is held by built-in O-shaped rings which make sure that the water won’t flow down the waste when the lever is toggled. Once you want to let the water flow away, you just need to simply flip the plug.
Not even are they the easiest to operate and don’t require any tools to be installed, but the flip it plugs are also very easy to clean and maintain, so know that you won’t go wrong by choosing one of these.
Touch Toe Plugs
The touch toe plugs are kind of spring-loaded plugs and share the crossbar-screwing installing mechanism with the lift and turn and push and pull plugs. Aside from that, they’re very easy to operate since the only thing you need to do is to push it down with your toe to get it opened or closed.
Trip Lever Plugs
These plugs are actually plungers connected to a lever and their purpose is to stop your tub’s drainpipe, very similar to the touch toe ones- when the trip lever is down it lifts the plunger and the water flows down and vice versa. But as much as these plugs are easy to operate, they’re very hard to clean and maintain, and that’s why they’re not recommended.
Bath Plug Materials
Rubber and silicone materials are the most budget-friendly options for you, and that’s why they’re the most commonly available ones too. But be careful with these plugs, since they tend to weaken and fail to keep the water in the tub after some time being used.
On the other hand, if you want to choose a durable bathtub plug that will serve you for many years to come, know that metals like solid brass are always a good option for such fixtures. In fact, brass is an alloy metal made from copper and zinc, which makes it very strong, durable and rust and corrosion-free. This may not be the most budget-friendly option, but it’s the only way to make sure you’re choosing a great plug that will last for years.
Are Bath Plugs a Standard Size?
No, bath plugs are not one-size-fits-all fixtures. Although some of the types we explained can be found in one or two standard sizes of 32 or 40 mm for the Australian market, many of them come in custom sizes. So, before you spend your money on a bathtub plug that doesn’t even fit, make sure you measure your bathtub’s drain hole with a tape measure to see the optimal size.
They Also Come in Different Designs
Aside from choosing a durable plug that will serve you for many years, you should know that these fixtures come in a variety of colours, styles and designs. So, you can find one that perfectly corresponds with your bathroom’s style – from the matte black and white or chrome finishes to accompany a minimalist Scandi bathroom to the lavish brushed nickel plugs to enrich your vintage bathtub.
Once you choose the right bathroom plug, you can finally enjoy your long-awaited bubble bath without worrying that the water will flow down in the next 10 minutes.
