Floor drain cover

[jd_77]

I have a pvc round floor drain in my garage. I attached a picture below. I have a problem where is gets sand and dirty in between the cover and the housing. When this happens it is very hard to remove the cover. Is there any tips for keeping this from happening?

 

[JOHN 86GT]

You could sand the outside edge of the the cover . I should do the same because I have a similar drain and have bent the metal pull trying to get it out with pliers.

 

[4xdog]

I have similar drains (in cast iron) in two of the old window wells of my house. I have a pair of "loops" made with zip ties that let me pull the drain cover straight up. This keeps the accumulated detritus from jamming it in place -- pretty easy to lift out.

This approach may not work well in a floor drain, where zip tie loops sticking up are probably not a good idea, but might give some other ideas for how to lift the cover without cocking it to a side.

 

[jd_77]

I have also bent the metal pull handle many of times already. I use a claw hammer and hook it on the loop and pull. I thought about sanding the cover some but then more stuff can get stuck since it will be a larger opening.

Also there is no way to use a zip tie for this type of plastic cover.



Could I use something like vasoline to fill the void and not allow the dirt to get in?

 

[4xdog]

...Also there is no way to use a zip tie for this type of plastic cover...

Sure there is, although one might not want to, of course. This is almost exactly like my iron drains where I've used the approach for years.

Push a zip tie up from below, slightly off a center line near the outer edge. Push the tie back down an equal distance opposite the center line. Zip together from below and adjust length. I make a loop about 1" - 1 1/2" across, 1/2" high. Make another identical loop on the other side of the drain cover across the same center line.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Could I use something like vasoline to fill the void and not allow the dirt to get in?

This was going to be my suggestion as well. I have put some vasoline on a few pvc clean out threads to keep them from sticking and it works quite well.

 

[jd_77]

This was goiong to be my suggestion as well. I have put some vasoline on a few pvc clean out threads to keep them from sticking and it works quite well.

I think I am going to give this a try.

 

[84944Redline]

I've battled with this as well. I don't think the floor drain was ever lifted and the basked cleaned by the previous home owner. I had to take a grinder and cut the cast iron grate out, which I then replaced with a plastic one!

I remove the cover regularly and clean out the basket. I've even shaved off a bit of the cover so it fits less snug. It's still difficult to remove if there is a lot of sand and junk.

I like the idea of using vasoline to create a temporary barrier. I had also thought about trying out that type of weatherstripping caulk that is supposed to be easy to remove. Might be less messy than wiping up vasoline and reapplying each time I clean the drain.

 

[Scott65]

Sand down the outside, but also polish it with some fine grit paper. A rough outside does not help with removal. Also shave more off the bottom 1/2 of the cover- less contact area to hang up on. I have not tried Vaseline, would be interested in how it works. Seems too "thick" and not slippery enough.

 

[jd_77]

Well I think I will skip the vaseline idea. I think I will sand the cover edge so it tapers down like Scott65 said. This idea should work and be less messy.