Bathtub drain has hole in it and the pop up drain is also stuck

Question

I am wanting to know who I should call to fix a bathtub drain pipe and the pop up drain on a bathtub.
The house is a one story on a concrete slab. The clean out is between the kitchen and the bathroom. Not much room to work there. My son has used lots of drain cleaner on the drain, thinking that it was clogged, but more than likely it was the pop up that was stuck all along.
We had one company out for an estimate, but they mentioned that it might be possible that they would also have to dig up and replace the sewer line also, for an extra 3,000.00. 700.00 to fix the drain and pop-up and 3,000.00 if the sewer needed replaced also (that was just a figure he threw out, not an official estimate for the sewer).
I know that he was more than likely acting in our best interest pointing that out, but it also sent up a red flag, that he just might kick it and break it also. I really want someone who knows what they are doing and will be as gentle as possible, so as not to break that sewer line.
I need to know where to start; Would I call a plumbing company, bathtub company or a sewer company?

Ed Beal · Answer

At my house a slow bathtub drain is from my wife and granddaughters showering. the pop-up assembly usually unscrews if it already has a hole and you can’t unscrew by hand get a pair of pliers and unscrew it if it is still draining slow. unscrew the drain nut a basin wrench is the correct tool but I use 3 screwdrivers all the time.
Hold 2 screwdrivers in the drain cross bars and the 3rd in me other hand and use that one to twist ccw. Sometimes they are tough but once broken loose they usually unscrew easily. Slowly pull the nut up and you may find a plug of hair about the size of a mouse.
If you have a rubber seal I just reassemble, if it looks like a paste or silicone it is normally plumbers putty and needs to be cleaned out and fresh putty installed.
Plumbers putty is cheap, roll it like play dough to make a ring around the hole let the ends overlap put the nut back in and tighten. Some of the putty may squeeze out that’s ok just get it tight this is the seal.
Check to see if it flows normally, if it dose quit using drain cleaner it really is a waste on slow moving drains as it just goes down the drain. If needed get a new pop up or just a cheapie rubber tub plug or disk.
I would question any plumber that jumps to $3000 fix before cleaning a drain. And then running a auger or jet down it this may be repairable in 10 minutes. I have done it to my house many times and one of the things I check on houses we flipped in the past.

Bathtub drain has hole in it and the pop up drain is also stuck

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