Old-style tub: drain stopper help needed

[Amy Chan]

I have just moved into an old house built circa 1925 in Brooklyn. The
bathtub does not have a tab near the top of the tub to stop water flow
for a filled bath. There is a grating with verdigris over the drain
which is screwed tight.

Right next to the tub is a metal tube inserted into the bathroom
floor, inside that tube is a metal rod that I can lift and jiggle
around. What is it and what does it do? It doesn't seem to stop
water flow if I should happen to want a bath. The rod keeps falling
back in place when I pull it up. I cannot pull it out completely.

Anything to be done short of removing the grating and inserting a
rubber plug? I'm sure that metal rod and tube are for SOMETHING.

[Speedy Jim]

Post by Amy Chan
I have just moved into an old house built circa 1925 in Brooklyn. The
bathtub does not have a tab near the top of the tub to stop water flow
for a filled bath. There is a grating with verdigris over the drain
which is screwed tight.
Right next to the tub is a metal tube inserted into the bathroom
floor, inside that tube is a metal rod that I can lift and jiggle
around. What is it and what does it do? It doesn't seem to stop
water flow if I should happen to want a bath. The rod keeps falling
back in place when I pull it up. I cannot pull it out completely.
Anything to be done short of removing the grating and inserting a
rubber plug? I'm sure that metal rod and tube are for SOMETHING.

It was called a "Tower Drain" waste and overflow.
http://www.vintagetub.com/asp/product_detail.asp?item_no=s48p

http://www.shop4classics.com/product.asp?lid=1127

http://www.ohbath.com/Products/index.cfm/Product_Group_ID/1/Product_Category_ID/25/Start/11

for a few pics.

The "stopper" is a brass tube within a (outer) tube.
The inner tube usualy has some sort of rounded or decorative "knob" on top.
When lifted up and turned slightly, it will lock in position and
allow water to drain out. When turned so that the tube drops down,
the bottom end of the inner tube mates with a seat inside the TEE
fitting and stops water from draining.

I can't tell from your description whether some part is missing
or not. Perhaps the pics will help you decide.
Perhaps contact some neighbors who have a similar installation.
If the parts are there, the seating surface on the tube may need
cleaning.

Jim