SinkShroom / Remove Pop-Up / Cap Pivot Hole ... TubShroom / Lift Bucket

[mb1280]

It won't let me upload my "how to" PDF to this site . . . it says "File too big" . . . so here it is on my Google Docs:

pop-up-plug.pdf . . . https://drive.google.com/open?id=1QBSK7rZqwEby5yXoBY-wlWVRPkTKT2aN

In this PDF is the info on what I did to make a plug, for the Pivot Nut / Cap hole.

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Questions on the plug:

1.) How do you think that 1/16" Neoprene seals against the beveled edge, inside of the cap?

2.) Faucet Washers are thicker. Would that seal be more, or less, effective?

3.) Do you think a lock nut is necessary? . . . Probably not, since there is no vibration?

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Questions on the Lift Rod:

1.) Do all bathroom sink faucets have an optional hole plug for the Lift Rod?

2.) Do you usually have to send away for a Lift Rod hole plug?

3.) Are Lift Rod hole plugs waterproof?

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From clicking around, I see that people have complained that water can get into the cabinet, through the Lift Rod hole, so that's another reason you don't want to use it.

I have to see about getting Lift Rod hole plugs for my Moen bathroom faucets.

In the meantime, I have put a piece of Scotch tape over the holes, and that even seems to be good enough.

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This looks good, in appearance, but doesn't address hair:

https://www.calfaucets.com/news/cal...es-zerodrain-the-world-s-first-pop-down-drain

I wonder about clean-ability, also.

I rarely need a sink full of water. When I do, I have a simple, easily cleanable, rubber stopper for that.

As I see it, keeping hair out, clean-ability, and being leak-proof are the priorities.

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When was the first pop-up drain? Sometime in the 50's? Time has shown how:

1.) It lets hair down the drain - which you don't want.

2.) Black slime accumulates on the sides of it - you don't want wafts of that scent in your face.

3.) It impedes the flow of water, creates a place where crud can accumulate, and requires effort to thoroughly clean - self-explanatory

The Lift Bucket in the tub is similar.

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[mb1280]

I see that they have these hole plugs:

Delta RP72289 Foundations Plug . . . for Delta Faucet B510LF-PPU-ECO . . . https://amzn.com/B00AHGWCJY

Moen 10116 Plug Button Kit Chrome . . . for Moen Faucet 4600 . . . https://www.plumbersstock.com/moen-10116-part-plug-button-kit-chrome.html

Keywords: Lift Rod Plug, Lift Rod Hole Cover

Without the Lift Rod, there's a little more room around the handle, also.

Big improvement all around, without the Pop-Up and Lift Rod.

 

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[mb1280]

02/05/20 I called and asked if they make a cap for the Pivot Rod hole - both said "no"

Delta . . . 800-345-3358 . . . https://www.deltafaucet.com/service-parts

Moen . . . 800-289-6636 . . . https://www.moen.com/customer-support/contact-us

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This doesn't make sense to me.

You can purchase parts to modify anything else you want about plumbing, but not this?

Today, I think they should sell a bathroom faucet with the Pop-Up as an option (if at all), not as a standard feature.

The faucet should come with the hole plug in place.

Why?

The Pivot Rod
1.) gets in the way of brushing the drain
2.) the hole collects crud
3.) it's a moving part, which can break
4.) it impedes water flow - making it impossible for you to get the fastest drain possible

The Pop-Up
1.) it takes time to be disassembled
2.) mildew collects on it
3.) not easy to clean
4.) does not address hair
5.) does not address preventing small things from going down the drain

The Lift Rod
1.) the Lift Rod hole allows water to get into the cabinet
2.) added expense: how much benefit is there of it with the Pop-Up, over a $0.40 rubber stopper?

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I put the question on Quora:

When did the bathroom sink "pop-up stopper" first come into use? . . . https://www.quora.com/unanswered/When-did-the-bathroom-sink-pop-up-stopper-first-come-into-use

Looks like it was a post WWII improvement, from sometime in the 50's.

It was successor of the rubber stopper.

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[mb1280]

I received the hole plug for the Delta lift rod.
It appears to be the exact same hole plug as the one for Moen, but it's a little different underneath.
The back of the Delta faucet is flat, so this should work, and be leak proof.

I received the hole plug for the Moen lift rod.
It might work well on a flat surface, but:
1.) The back of this faucet is slightly curved, so you can rock it back and forth.
2.) It easily pops off, so it can't be 100% leak proof.
3.) I guess you could put caulk underneath the plug, to waterproof it, but is there a better, easier option? . . .

Yes, I think so in this case . . . tape
How long would tape last?
Maybe a while. The back of the faucet doesn't get that much contact. It only ever gets wiped.

For a chrome faucet, these two tapes I had on hand aren't bad.
I think they're in improvement over clear Scotch tape, because they hide the hole better:
a.) metallic-like silver tape - but, you will be able to see the outline of the hole
b.) plastic-like silver tape - pressure sensitive, it hides the outline of the hole better (use this one)

Make sure there's no tape residue on your scissors, then you can get a rectangle with a clean cut.
It kind of looks like a Band-Aid, but I find it acceptable.

For faucets with other finishes, "transparent, crystal clear" Scotch tape, or clear packing tape, would work.
But, I see that they do have tape that looks like "brushed aluminum" and "stainless steel" (silver and gold) - You can get a roll for under $7 on ebay.

Instead of the hole plugs, it seems like they could sell tape patches in these various colors, which would be better, and less expensive.

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Here are some other possible tape options:

Duck Max Duct Tape, Silver 1.88 in. x 20 yd. | Duck Brand . . . fabric-like? . . . https://www.duckbrand.com/products/duck-tape/duck-max/silver-188-in-x-45-yd

Color Duct Tape - Chrome, 1.88 in. x 10 yd. | Duck Brand . . . fabric-like? . . . https://www.duckbrand.com/products/duck-tape/colors/chrome-188-in-x-10-yd

Color Duct Tape - Dove Grey, 1.88 in. x 20 yd. | Duck Brand . . . fabric-like? . . . https://www.duckbrand.com/products/duck-tape/colors/dove-grey-188-in-x-20-yd

Color Duct Tape - Gold, 1.88 in. x 10 yd. | Duck Brand . . . fabric-like? . . . https://www.duckbrand.com/products/duck-tape/colors/gold-188-in-x-10-yd

Silver Metal Repair Tape, 47522, 1.88 in. W x 10 yd. - Ace Hardware . . . $7.99 . . . metal-like . . . https://www.acehardware.com/departm...rmostats-and-heating-supplies/duct-tape/47522

Nashua Tape . . . http://www.nashuatape.com/

Nashua 361-11 Foil Tape for Waterproofing Repair, 11 mil Thick, 10 m Length, 48 mm Width, Aluminum . . . probably too sticky . . . https://amzn.com/B0047XXZ7Q

Dryer Vent Installation Tape-1390801 - Nashua Tape 1.89 in. x 30 yd. - The Home Depot . . . $4.98 . . . plastic-like - best option . . . https://www.homedepot.com/p/Nashua-...ryer-Vent-Installation-Tape-1390801/207203955

 

[mb1280]

Here are 10 more photos

 

[mb1280]

Instead of these hole plugs that don't fit well, and create a bump, they could do the equivalent of "Round Spot Bandages", in the different finishes.

 

[Yorkie Mom]

I know I'm late to the game, but had this issue recently and found a workable solution.

Use a marble...no special kind...just happened to remember my husband found one on the beach he kept & knew it was close by.
Reuse the the plastic/rubber washer from the original install or find like/similar. Place it in the drain side where the lift lever was originally without the lever...just the marble & washer... and screw the cap with the hole back on.
It works!

 

[GL77]

I hate the pop-ups myself and used a bar sink faucet in my bathroom. What I want to know is why haven't fixture manufacturers come up with a better way of keeping hair out of drains by now?