Troubleshooting the Installation & Use of Your EverClear Drain:
Q: Does your device fit all drains?
A: The EverClear Drain for tubs fits all bathtub drains in the U.S. Some drains, manufactured prior to 1989 have some variable features that we have designed this page to address. If you purchased a drain device and found that your tub drain didn't have a hole in the cross members to screw our device into, you have a toll free number on your instruction sheet to call into, and you will be supplied a retrofit piece free of charge. Fall of 2010 will see our follow-on devices for bathroom sinks, and shower stalls (i.e. showers without the surrounding tub). Spring of 2011 we will release a spring loaded version of our tub device.
Q: What do I do if I am having trouble inserting the device with the best fitting o-ring?
A: You've done the right thing by choosing the best fitting o-ring to keep water and hair from getting by the device on the outside edge. However, by choosing the best fit, it may occasionally be difficult to get the device in place without the o-ring dislodging from the base of the device. In this case, you need simply apply a thick bead of shampoo on the inside edge of the drain hole. This degree of lubrication will ensure you get the best fit, and that the o-ring stays in the proper position during installatiion. If not even the smallest o-ring allows you to fit your device, see below.
Q: Not even the smallest o-ring allows me to insert my EverClear Drain. What do I do?
A: You have a 1.4" inside diameter drain, which is the most narrow type currently sold for tubs in the U.S. The EverClear Drain was designed to fit that size drain without an o-ring. Simply lube up the inside part of the drain with shampoo, and install. If this doesn't work, see DISASSEMBLE INSTALL below.
Q: I can't screw the device in place without unscrewing the top knob...what do I do?
A: As noted in the question above, a tight fitting o-ring, while the best choice for proper function of your EverClear Drain device, can sometimes necessitate that the user place a bead of shampoo on the inside edge of the drain hole. Once you've done this, compress the device, place another bead of shampoo on the underside of the rubber seal (the part the plugs the drain if you take a bath), then insert the drain in the hole and screw in place. If that doesn't work, go ahead and disassemble the device as explained below, and install.
Q: How to do a disassemble install.
A: Sometimes your device is fits so snug that it wants to prevent you from screwing it in place. In this situation, simply take off the top knob, remove the cap pieces and the plunger arm piece, then LIGHTLY pinch the lock legs together and remove them. You now have the base piece exposed. Take a pair of needle nosed pliers and place the tips in the two biggest holes on the capture grate (the two big holes on the area that captures the hair from the waste stream). You are now holding the base piece with the pliers, so put the o-ring on, lube up the inside of the drain wall, and engage the screw in the cross member, using the pliers to firmly grip the base piece as you screw it in place. Once in place, simply reassemble your device (lightly pinch the lock legs and line them up wither their guide slots, then put on the plunger arm piece, then the cap pieces, then screw the knob in place to secure)...you have now done a disassemble style installation!
Q: I have a hole in the cross member of the drain, but the threads don't fit the screws; what do I do?
A: Choose the biggest screw that can still fit in the hole of your cross member. If the threads don't engage, you will need to purchase an epoxy putty (we recommend Fast-n-EZ from PC Products, available at ACE & True Value hardware stores). Now do the following:
*Ensure you have chosen the correct sized o-ring for the remainder of the install (the proper size o-ring will keep everyinthing in alignment for the remainder of this process.
*Use a Q-tip with nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol to clean the threads of the hole of your cross member and allow to dry (the epoxy will not work if the surfaces are wet at the time of application)
*Mix the epoxy and place a small amount on the last 2-3 exposed threads of the screw, and in the screw hole of your drain's cross member
*Insert your device, ensuring the screw sets into the screw hole of your drain's cross member...now let sit for 3 to 4 ours before allowing water to flow into your drain
Q: My EverClear Drain device seems hard to compress...will I break it if I push too hard?
A: Your drain device was built to handle a great deal of compression force...you won't break it by compressing it. The more hair that accumulates in between uses, the more force you you will need to use, but all you need do is press with your palm if that situation arises. You will notice that the device becomes easier to compress after pushing the device up and down 5-10 times.
Q: I pulled the device apart...is it broken?
A: We designed the top and bottom pieces to pull apart if the user pulls with greater than 15lbs. of force. This was done to allow the user access to collection grate. If you need to access the collection grate (say, because you dropped a contact lens in the shower and it washed into your EverClear Drain), you need simply unscrew the top knob, and pull off the top pieces. Inside, you will see a piece that locks the top parts to the bottom parts (called the "lock legs"). Pulling on the lock legs with more than 15lbs of force, or LIGHTLY pinching the legs together while simultaneously pulling up on the part, will disengage it from the base and allow you access to the collection grate without having to completely remove the device.
