Drain Tips |
| The following tips are provided to assist you in selecting the appropriate clawfoot tub drain for your tub. |
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| How is a clawfoot tub drain different than a waste and overflow? |
| A clawfoot tub drain is a waste and overflow. The term clawfoot tub drain is preferred by most people but plumbers often use the term waste and overflow to refer to the same piece of plumbing. A clawfoot tub drain has a waste tube and an overflow tube. The waste tube connects to a hole in the bottom of the tub. The overflow tube connects to a hole in the wall of the tub. The overflow hole is usually a few inches from the rim of the bathtub and above the drain hole. The waste allows bath water to drain from the tub. The overflow prevents water from spilling over the rim of the tub. |
| Where will the waste and overflow holes be on my tub? |
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| Traditional clawfoot tubs and slipper tubs have the waste and overflow holes drilled at one end of the tub. Dual (or double-ended) freestanding tubs have the waste and overflow holes drilled in the middle of the tub. For more information about clawfoot tubs, please review our Clawfoot Bathtub Tips. |
| How do I know what size of clawfoot tub drain to choose? |
| The clawfoot tub drain's waste tube (part F) and overflow tube (part K) are extra long so they can be adjusted to fit most clawfoot tubs. The size of the drain is adjusted by trimming the tubes with a tube cutter to fit them to the tub. |
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| How do I choose between clawfoot tub drains styles? |
 Shown clockwise from top: overflow strainer, toe tap stopper, lift & turn stopper, and rubber stopper. |
There are several different types of clawfoot tub drains but they also serve the same basic function. In most cases, the right clawfoot tub drain is a matter of personal preference.
- Clawfoot tub drains with a traditional rubber stopper are the most popular for clawfoot tubs. These drains have a rubber stopper on the end of a chain that is normally attached to the overflow strainer. The rubber stopper is placed in the drain hole to seal the drain. Pulling the chain will unplug the rubber stopper and allow the tub to empty.
- Clawfoot tub drains with a lift & turn stopper have a plug that twists open and down to open or close the drain.
- Clawfoot tub drains with a toe tap stopper have a plug that pops up and down by pressing the stopper with the tip of the toe.
- Tower clawfoot tub drains have a stopper that pops up or down by operating a knob at the top of a towering overflow tube. Tower drains are the largest of the clawfoot tub drains.
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| Can I order parts for my clawfoot tub drain? |
| Clawfoot tub drains are not manufactured to an industry standard that ensures universal part compatibility. Antique clawfoot tub drains utilized 1 3/8" diameter tubing. The modern standard for tub drains is 1 1/2" tubing. Some manufacturers of antique reproduction clawfoot tub drains replicate the original 1 3/8" tubing size while others utilize 1 1/2" tubing. Either type of clawfoot dtub drain will connect to a modern 1 1/2" drain rough-in but the difference in specifications, threading, and method of assembly make it difficult to replace parts of drains from one manufacturer with parts from another. |
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