How to find a replacement for an obsolete plumbing plug
Standard new plugs do not fit older or uncommon drain sizes, leaving people with leaking mechanical plugs or missing shut-off systems altogether. Trying to find the right replacement part prevents people from successfully sealing the drain or bath.
Core Friction Pattern
Analysis of 6 peer accounts across online developer and community forums reveals that “How to find a replacement for an obsolete plumbing plug” repeatedly surfaces due to edge-case mismatches between standard defaults and real-world environments. Standard troubleshooting frequently falls short, compelling practitioners to develop custom workarounds.
+11 alternative community-tested workarounds cataloged below.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
How to find a replacement for an obsolete plumbing plug
- 1Using a mechanical plug in the hole instead of a proper threaded plug, though it tends to leak.Did this help you?
- 2Trying to fill the threads.Did this help you?
- 3Removing the gasket portion and using a mechanical plug on the nominal opening in the clean out fitting itself.Did this help you?
- 4Contacting apartment maintenance or submitting a maintenance request to get a replacement or have it fixedDid this help you?
- 5Buying a universal or third-party replacement tub stopper online, such as an oxo tub stopperDid this help you?
- 6Asking on forum communities for the correct terminology and part names.Did this help you?
- 7Trying to force or use standard replacement parts despite size mismatchesDid this help you?
- 8Searching for specialized or vintage replacement parts online or in specialty plumbing supply storesDid this help you?
- 9Using two wrenches or an adjustable jaw wrench combined with a pipe wrench and cheater barDid this help you?
- 10Drilling a hole, sawing, and prying the plug out to replace itDid this help you?
- 11Using a parallel wood hand-screw clamp or basin wrenchDid this help you?
- 12Using penetrating oil, heat, and prayersDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Could anyone tell me what to search for to replace the rubber seal on the pan end of the cistern pipe?”source ↗
“Where can I buy a key to open a 3" PVC cleanout plug in the floor? The side of the square is a bit less than 1 3/4" - 1.73" to be precise.”source ↗
“It's below floor level, is tightly closed, and it's not possible to use a wrench from the side. A wrench that can access it from the top is needed.”source ↗
“It sounds like a trivial thing, but I could not find where to buy a steel one with clearly specified dimensions.”source ↗
“I am looking for a replacement sewer cleanout plug.”source ↗
“I have tried multiple brands and sizes of new plugs. None fit.”source ↗
“I currently have a mechanical plug in the hole, but it leaks, hopefully due to not having threads and not due to the slight damage to the gasket.”source ↗
“damn i thought i just had a weird drain 😭 thank you!”source ↗
“Recently moved into an apartment with a weird drain and no plug/shut off system and as someone who loves baths it’s driving me nuts. Does anyone know what kind of plug I need for this sort of drain??”source ↗
“Hi! I’m looking for a 2 inch flapper with extended arms for an old kohler toilet. Left is the old one obviously and right is the replacement which is too short.”source ↗
“Hahaha. Good fucking luck. That shit may as well be welded in there.”source ↗
Where this came up
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