Q–My bathtub has a pop-up drain and the water has been draining out very slowly for the past few months. I tried using a chemical drain cleaner, and also tried a plunger, but neither of them helped. I know there must be a trap somewhere that may have to be cleaned out, but I’m not sure where this is or how to get at it. Is there anything you can suggest, besides calling in an expensive plumber?
A–There is a trap for the tub’s drain, but it may be hidden under the tub so that you would have to cut open the ceiling below to get at it. Or, the trap could be behind the tub and accessible through an access panel in the wall behind the tub.
However, before you go through all this, chances are that the linkage under the pop-up stopper is simply covered with a wad of hair and soap scum. Jiggle the lever up and down a few times, then pull up the stopper and pull out its connecting linkage so that you can clean off any accumulated hair and goo.
Q–The countertop in my bathroom is made of cultured marble and has a number of very fine scratches. Is there any way to polish out the scratches?
A–Sometimes merely polishing with a good-quality white or neutral color paste wax will do the trick, but make sure the surface is thoroughly cleaned before waxing it. After rubbing the wax on in a thin coat, buff it thoroughly. If this doesn’t do the trick, you can try rubbing the scratches out with a very fine abrasive such as powdered rottenstone (sold in paint stores) mixed with lemon oil. Or you can try one of the fiberglass rubbing compounds that are sold in marine supply stores.
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Have a question about home repair problems? Write to Bernard Gladstone in care of Your Place, Chicago Tribune, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60611. Questions of general interest will be answered in future columns.
