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Bath Wastes & Spares

The plug, the trap, the overflow seal, the chain socket: bath wastes are made of seven or eight small parts that all wear at different rates, and most replacements come down to one component rather than the whole assembly. We supply replacement plugs, pop-up mechanisms, push-down wastes, click-clack stoppers, overflow covers and trap kits in 1.25 and 1.5 inch sizes for current and older British baths.

BATH WASTES & SPARES | BUYING GUIDE

Types of Bath Waste Mechanism

Replacement starts with identifying which mechanism the bath uses. The four below cover almost every UK domestic bath made in the last forty years.

Plug-and-chain wastes

The traditional fitting: a rubber or plastic plug attached to a chain that hangs from a small bracket on the bath rim. Cheap to replace, parts widely interchangeable across brands. Most older British baths use this format.
Click-clack (push-button) wastes

Operated by pressing the cap, which clicks down to seal and clicks up to release. No visible chain or plug from above. The mechanism sits inside the waste body. Common on modern walk-in or designer baths. When a click-clack stops sealing, the internal spring or seal has usually worn.
Pop-up wastes

A lever or knob on the overflow plate operates a linkage rod inside the bath rim, which raises and lowers a stopper at the waste outlet. Common on quality British baths from major brands. Failure modes are usually the linkage rod corroding or the stopper losing its seal.
Lift-and-turn wastes

The cap rotates to lock or unlock the seal: twist clockwise to seal, anticlockwise to release. Less common than click-clack on modern baths but still found on some traditional ranges, with shower-tray equivalents covered in our shower wastes range for whole-bathroom refurbs.

Common Outlet Sizes

Outlet size is the first measurement to confirm before ordering. Almost every UK domestic bath uses one of three standards.

Outlet measurement	Common application	Plug diameter
1.5 inch / 40 mm	Modern UK baths (post-1990)	~58 mm cap
1.25 inch / 32 mm	Older UK baths and basins	~45 mm cap
50 mm	Continental and European-spec baths	~62 mm cap

Confirm the outlet size by measuring the inner diameter of the waste hole at the base of the bath. Companion replacement traps and U-bends are stocked across our bathroom waste traps range, with the rest of the wastes catalogue grouped together in our bathroom wastes hub.

Common Symptoms and What is Failing

Plug will not seal properly

The plug or seat has worn. Inspect the plug for visible wear or splits, and check the seat at the bottom of the waste outlet for limescale or damage. A new plug is a low-cost fix; if the seat is damaged, the whole waste body needs replacing.
Slow drain or standing water

The trap below the waste is blocked or restricted. Check the U-bend for hair, soap residue and limescale build-up. Most bath traps unscrew from the underside of the bath for cleaning. If the trap is intact but drainage is still slow, the pipework downstream may be the issue.
Overflow leaking onto the bath rim

The overflow seal has perished. Most bath overflows have a rubber gasket between the cover and the outer face of the bath. Replacement gaskets are inexpensive but vary by manufacturer.
Click-clack stuck open or closed

The internal spring or seal inside the click-clack mechanism has failed. On most click-clacks the cap unscrews, exposing the mechanism for replacement. Some designs require the whole waste body to be replaced.
Pop-up linkage stuck

The rod between the overflow lever and the stopper has corroded. Often visible as a sticking lever that no longer raises or lowers the stopper. Replacement linkage rods are brand-specific in length but generic in fitting, with brand-matched parts catalogued in our manufacturer directory.

Not Sure Which Bath Waste Spare You Need?

Send a photo of the existing waste from above and below, with the outlet measurement and the brand if you know it. We will confirm the right replacement before you order.

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Bath Waste FAQs

What is a bath waste?

A bath waste is the assembly that drains water from the bath: it includes the plug or stopper at the outlet, the seat the plug sits on, the body that screws into the underside of the bath, the trap below, and the overflow that catches water before it spills onto the floor. Replacement parts are sold individually for each component, so a single failed part does not need a full assembly swap.

How do I know what bath waste size I need?

Measure the outlet hole at the base of the bath. UK domestic baths use either 1.25 inch (32mm) or 1.5 inch (40mm) outlets, with 1.5 inch dominating modern installs. Match the waste body's threaded section to the outlet size. The plug or stopper diameter follows from the outlet (around 58mm for 1.5 inch outlets, 45mm for 1.25 inch).

Can I replace a bath waste myself?

Yes, on most baths. Turn the water off, drain the bath, remove the plug, unscrew the waste body from below the bath (a basin wrench or a long screwdriver across the strainer slots usually does it), fit the new waste with fresh sealant or rubber gasket, and tighten from below. Pop-up linkages need the overflow plate removed too, but the rest of the steps are the same.

What is the difference between a click-clack and a pop-up waste?

A click-clack opens and closes by pressing the cap directly. The mechanism sits inside the waste body itself. A pop-up uses a lever or knob on the overflow plate, with a linkage rod that runs through the bath rim to raise and lower a stopper at the outlet. Click-clacks have fewer moving parts; pop-ups give a cleaner look at the outlet but more potential failure points.

How long does a bath waste last?

Plugs and chains often need replacing within 5 to 10 years through wear and limescale. Pop-up linkages and click-clack mechanisms typically last 10 to 15 years, longer in soft-water areas. Overflow seals are the most variable; some last decades, others perish in 5 years if exposed to repeated overflowing or harsh cleaning chemicals.

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Bath Wastes & Spares

Brand

Types of Bath Waste Mechanism

Plug-and-chain wastes

Click-clack (push-button) wastes

Pop-up wastes

Lift-and-turn wastes