Calling Piglet John or others re bath plug

[CharisD]

My bath has one of those wheels on the side which you turn and the plug pops up. I have always been able to take the plug right out for cleaning purposes. However, today I could not put it back in. There seems to be something metallic in the middle bit down which the pointy bit of the plug would normally go. Please advise urgently. Many thanks. I'm sorry; I don't know how to attach pictures. Thank you again.

I should add that the thing blocking the middle is metal, hexagonal and has something like a small bubble in the middle of it. Thank you.

I can't visualise it.

Maybe the pop-up mechanism has broken or jammed

On the plug part, you know how to wind the screw in and out?

You can buy a rubber "universal" bathplug that will fit over the top and be adequate until fixed. IME ordinary bathplugs will not quite fit a popup.
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Universal-Self-Seating-Universal-Basin-or-Bath-Plug-57mm-2-1-4-inch-White/254628642304

I have very much taken against pop-up wastes. They usually leak, or stop popping. Even if a reputable make. I now like "clacker" wastes, where you push the mushroom with your hand and it clicks down or springs up.

Changing or replacing a popup bath waste is more a plumbers job than DIY as you have to work under the bath.

P.s.

If the spindle has broken, see if you can take the remaining screw out of the plug part and it will fit as a temporary bodge. Tie wire or string round the underside of the plug or it will be very very very difficult to pull it out when the bath is full of water.

It would be safer to put a flannel or plastic bag over the plughole until you can at least get a universal plug.

Thanks for the link, PigletJohn, I've ordered one to keep in reserve Our sink lever-plug gave up earlier this year, I found a normal plug to replace that; but I'm sure the bath's popup-plug will give up soon as it was fitted around the same time.

We had exactly this problem and could never get it to work properly ever again, despite getting plumbers in. We used a rubber universal bath plug until we replaced the entire bathroom 8 years later!

(Probably not what you want to hear!)

I think PigletJohn has for years been my favourite thing about Mumsnet and helped me too before although I change my name regularly - his reliable knowledge and kindness meant I had to enjoy this thread even though have no need to deal with a pop up bath plug

I wish I had such a useful competence too and love to try and solve things myself and it’s lovely to have here as often I can’t find the right You tube video or solution.

I once had a problem with our Automower and rang the shop I bought it from to say its new battery was already dead and they pointed out I had forgotten the power switch.
But it’s good experience as slowly getting more practical!

Piglet John and others,
Thanks very much for your help! Apparently I cannot post photos because I am a new user. (I don't know where Mumsnet might be prepared to make an exception for me in all the circumstances or if I can get round this by joining Premium?) If I do need to get a universal plug which of the very many on Amazon - I don't have e-Bay - would be best? Many thanks again.

I meant, "whether", not, "where"; doh! Sorry - very stressed at present! Thanks again. You are all lovely!

They're only about £2.50 I think.

Wilko don't seem to have them but they might be in a hardware or camping shop, or a plumbers merchant.

Or a DIY shed like B&Q

www.diy.com/departments/plumbsure-rubber-bath-plug-dia-40mm/178455_BQ.prd

Maybe get a couple, so you have a spare.

Thank you, Piglet John. I'm in Ireland. We don't have Wilko here and I'm housebound anyway. I'm still too new to post a picture of the ones on Amazon re which I want you to advise, but I'll try again later. Thanks.

They always seem to be creamy-white rubber, about three inches diameter. Some have a rubber sucker underneath to stick them to the bath when out of use. If you are not agile, get one with a metal triangle for a chain, you can put string though it to yank it out.

Is this the kind of thing you're looking at on Amazon OP? Thought if I posted a pic PigletJohn could confirm it's the right sort

If that's not it OP could you tell us what search term you used for Amazon and I'll try to post pics from results?

@CharisD If you can't post photos because you are a new user, you can still post links to Amazon. Just copy the URL and paste into your MN message.

I haven't seen that style before.

Like this
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/QUALITY-UNIVERSAL-SINK-BATH-PLUG-Basin-Kitchen-Bathroom-Replacement-Self-Park/333409300870

Thanks all. Corkit, I used the term, "self-sealing universal bath plug", to search Amazon. What I want to post on here for the kind advice of Piglet John is a line of three separate white ones with no chains (brands Merriway x 2 and Jilton) and a set of three with chains (brand Sandiyago).

You all have the patience of a saint with me! Thank you Soooo much!

I think I'd get the ones without chains

And a loop of string (or floating synthetic cord) if I found it difficult to grip.

I've seen budget priced plug chains that are not rust proof. Chromed brass is best.

Cheshire Cat - thank you. How do I copy the URL? I am not techy at all! Thanks.

Are you on a phone or computer?

If it's a computer, highlight the URL with your mouse (hold down the mouse button as you swipe left to right). Copy it by pressing Ctrl and C at the same time (cmd on a Mac), then put the cursor in the MN message and press Ctrl (or cmd) and V at the same time.

On a phone:
www.imore.com/how-quickly-copy-urls-search-and-visit-websites-safari-iphone-and-ipad#:~:text=Instead%20of%20using%20the%20iOS,the%20URL%20to%20your%20clipboard.
www.androidpolice.com/2017/02/06/tip-copy-url-chrome-tap-button-long-press-url-shown/

Thank you all very much. I have now ordered a variety of universal plugs (of different sizes - surely some contradiction there?) off Amazon for delivery by Sunday. Let's hope at least one works. Thank you very much to Piglet John and everyone else. I hope good karma comes to you for all your help to me.

The universal plugs arrived and one worked. Thanks to Piglet John and everyone for your assistance. I'm grateful to you all!