Bath overflow problem

ForQP

Hi

I am struggling to remove this cover from my bath. The metal seal has broken in places and so water is leaking through it. I can not seem to find the screw to loosen.

will I need to remove the bath panel and undo it from the other side?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thank you 

ThisIsWeird

Pic?
Most have a central screw, but some simply screw on - the visible (chrome?) part is like a bottle cap, and has an internal thread. The 'drain' part behind passes through the hole, and the cover screws on.
Yes, it's usually a bath-panel-off job, as you'll need to hold the back part firmly in place, and also prevent it from turned, which could put strain on the flexible pipe, but it's often possible to use a wire tool or similar to hold the back bit from the bath side, whilst you slip over a new cover, and tighten it.
Anyhoo - photo!
If the panel comes off without too much hassle, then do so. If, say, it's tiled in and will be awkward, we can explore keyhole surgery methods.

ForQP

This is the cover. It twists to work the plug. 

ThisIsWeird

Ah, ok, I suspect you'll struggle - most likely find it impossible - to replace that without access to the back.
Is getting the panel off awkward? Photo?
Does the opener still work ok? Do you like this type of opener, or would you prefer a plug and chain?
If you want to keep this style, then buy a replacement, and have a good read of the installation instructions - and a play with the bits so you are familiar with how to install it. Then you'll know if there's any possibility of replacing just these visible parts (I doubt it). So, be prepared for panel off. Or to get a plumber.
You reckon water is leaking through? How do you know? Please don't tell me you are living in an upstairs flat...
Or, there is a remote possibility that you could drip some sort of viscous-but-fluid sealant on to the bath-collar joint, allowing each to seep down and around the collar, and then add more to fill and seal the visible gaps from the broken bits. It would all have to be clean and dry before starting, but I don't even know what sealer to use. It would only be considered a temporary job anyway, and might not even work.
And, of course, there remains the option of not filling the bath so much - an overflow shouldn't really overflow.

silvercar

Stop over filling your bath and get a plug and chain.

Mr.Generous

That type has a grub screw holding the face on, run your finger round the lower side and you'll feel the recess. It will just need tightening up again.

ForQP

The water came from the shower. The metal seal has broken into parts, leaving gaps for it to leak through. 

The opener works fine and I would like to keep it so I will look at getting a replacement.

Looking around the back, there looks like there is a tile that I may be able to remove, which would give me access. I will see if I can change it that way. 

Thank you for the advice .

ThisIsWeird

Mr.Generous said:

That type has a grub screw holding the face on, run your finger round the lower side and you'll feel the recess. It will just need tightening up again.

Hmm, good call - you can see a dipped-in part of the round handle at 8 o-clock.

If the handle comes off, that would make smearing some sealant into and around the back collar much easier.

ThisIsWeird

ForQP said:

The water came from the shower. The metal seal has broken into parts, leaving gaps for it to leak through. 

The opener works fine and I would like to keep it so I will look at getting a replacement.

Looking around the back, there looks like there is a tile that I may be able to remove, which would give me access. I will see if I can change it that way. 

Thank you for the advice .

Try what MrG says above. If that round handle can come off, then it should allow you to seal around the crumbling back collar, and I think give you a repair that should last yonks.

Your bath-to-tile sealant needs redoing too :-) All that old stuff cut away and fully cleaned up, then a good quality sili sealant, finishing with a Fugi-type tool with a 45o bevel - much easier than you think, and it'll also look much better than it's ever done.