Keeping Water in Your Bathtub Sans Stopper

Have you ever wanted to enjoy a nice, long soak in the tub only to find the water draining out far too quickly? It's a common problem for bathtubs lacking built-in stoppers. Fortunately, with a bit of creativity, you can improvise ways to keep water in the tub without a proper drain seal.

We'll also consider some affordable products that can provide a more lasting water barrier. Read on to learn the easiest ways to make bathtime more enjoyable when you don't have a tub stopper handy.

Why Retaining Tub Water Matters

There are several reasons you may want to prevent water from rapidly disappearing down the pipes:

• Conserve water usage - Plugging the drain allows you to reuse bath water for multiple purposes like bathing kids.
• Maintain heat longer - Stoppers keep the water hotter for more comfortable soaking.
• Avoid temperature fluctuations from new hot water.
• Prevent pipes from drying out - Stagnant water keeps pipes moist.

Tubs without stoppers often have faster drainage. But don't despair if your tub wasn't designed to hold water. We'll explore handy tops to get your bath back on track!

Prepping Your Tub for DIY Drain Stoppers

Before trying any makeshift tub stopper methods, do some quick prep:

• Clear debris in the drain - Remove hair or gunk so stoppers seal better.
• Check tub surface - Ensure it's free of soap residue that could interfere with improvised seals.
• Assess slope and shape - Consider if any unique tub features could affect water flow or drainage.
• Determine feasibility - Evaluate if the tub design can realistically retain water with a makeshift stopper.

It's also smart to have towels handy in case of leaks. Now let's explore handy household items for preventing fast tub drainage!

Inflatable Bath Toys

An inflatable rubber ducky or bath book makes a handy removable stopper. Just press it down over the drain to plug water flow. The flexible material should form enough of a seal to hold water in.

Pro Tip: Partially inflate for the best seal. Fully inflated toys may not sink enough to block drainage.

Plug With a Ball

Does your kid have rubber balls lying around? Grab one and try fitting it right into the tub drain opening. The ball should be pliable enough to wedge in snugly while still allowing you to pull it back out after.

Tip: Ping pong balls can work too, but may not create an airtight seal in larger/deeper drains.

Using Expandable Stoppers

For a sturdier water barrier, use expandable stoppers designed to plug drains temporarily. They're made from flexible waterproof materials specially shaped to seal in water.

Inflatable Stoppers

Inflatable rubber tub stoppers fit right into the drain opening. Simply blow them up with air until they balloon outward, creating a tight seal around drain edges. Deflate again for easy removal.

Self-Sealing Plugs

Some innovative plugs don't require inflation. They have tapered ends allowing you to just press them into drains for automatic sealing. The flexible flanges hold them in place.

Tip: Buy a set of stoppers in different sizes to handle variably shaped/sized drains.

Exterior Tub Drain Blockers

If expandable plugs don't work, create an external seal around the tub drain instead using handy household items:

Corks

Do you have spare wine corks? They make great temporary drain seals. Insert a few corks into the drain opening, using enough to fill the space. The tight squeeze should block water flow.

Duct Tape

For a quick water seal, press a ball of duct tape firmly over the drain exterior. The key is keeping constant pressure so water can't seep out underneath. Add more tape layers if needed.

Caution: Don't leave duct tape on too long as the adhesive could damage tub surfaces when removing.

Cut Wood/Plastic

For a reusable exterior seal, cut a wood or plastic block precisely to size. The goal is to create a tight-fitting 'cap' over the drain opening to prevent water from escaping underneath.

Idea: Measure the drain diameter, then cut circles from a plastic lid or wood block to fit.

Alternative Barriers Over Drains

In addition to plugs and external caps, you can also create watertight seals using household materials:

Plastic Wrap

This common kitchen staple can surprisingly do a decent job keeping water in! Press plastic wrap firmly over the drain so it sticks via suction. Then seal the edges thoroughly with an oil paste or adhesive.

Note: Plastic may not hold up long-term compared to rubber seals.

Rubber Mats

Do you have old yoga mats or rubber drawer liners? Cut sections to overlap the tub drain area. Use bathtub caulk or adhesive Velcro strips to affix the rubber barrier securely around drain edges.

Tip: Smooth any creases in the mat over the drain so water can't seep through.

Plumber's Putty

When rolled out, standard plumber's putty forms a waterproof barrier. Knead the putty thoroughly to soften it up. Then press a sizeable ball of putty completely over the tub drain hole. Smooth gently for the best seal.

Note: Avoid silicone caulk as it can permanently adhere to tub surfaces.

Losing precious bath water through drains prematurely is no fun. But with minimal time and household items, you can implement temporary seals allowing you to enjoy soothing soaks.

Experiment with different materials to determine the easiest, most secure tub stopper alternative for your unique bathtub. Just be sure to safely test any improvised plugs prior to stepping into the bath!