I can't see how you would install the plumbing wrong. It is pretty high for sure but that is the nature of the beast with a lot of toe tap drains. I prefer to use the Kohler as it has the lowest profile that I have seen.

here is a video and at 17 seconds in, the guy shows how it should operate. Is your drain operating that way?

It operates the way the video shows in that it goes up and down like that. It is at least as high when closed, as the video shows when open. It can't go as low as the one in the video. VT says they've seen cases in which the plumber didn't cut a pipe that was supposed to be cut, or didn't cut it the right length, to prevent my situation. Everything connects, but the end result can be what I have. But thanks for the link; it may help in trying to fix this.

While not saying that they are wrong, there is no pipe to cut that I can think of. The entire drain cartridge sets above the threads, if the drain is high when closed it is in the cartridge. Some of them make adjustable cartridges but you would have to take the cartridge apart to adjust it (the adjustment is made at the factory), but I doubt seriously your G.C. wants to risk breaking it just to see if he can adjust it.

I think your problem is with Vintage Bath. It looks like they sold you what they had compared to telling you about other parts that might fit your needs better. If it goes 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch, that is really all they go down. The remaining is left for spring activation. Here is an example of the tub drain that you really wanted (assuming you want toe tap), this is the Kohler but many brands make a low profile.

Instead you got something like

Notice that the drain is 1 3/16 inches above the tub when open. Yours is significantly less than that. That is just the standard for that type of drain.

Edit: You can probably take the cartridge out and take it to a plumbing house and find a low profile for it. If that doesn't work it is pretty easy to replace the whole thing. Plenty of youtube videos to show you how and it is an easy DIY.

It's working normally and is within normal installation parameters.

bry911,
Pipes:

From steps 13 and 21 of the installation instructions:

"13. Use a 1 1/2" tubing cutter to cut the pipe."

That refers to the 1 1/2" vertical or horizontal piping for rough placement fitting, not the drain fittings. Those are fixed cast pieces. The seller gave you less than optimal advice about choosing their product.

Let rephrase - There is no pipe in the drain mechanism that will effect the drain like this.

Above are two pictures that illustrate the entire mechanism for a toe tap drain. Also the entire mechanism you need to replace if you don't like the height. The mechanism (drain flange) screws into the drain shoe. You don't cut the drain shoe. I have seen people cut the overflow or drain pipe too short and in fiberglass tubs this rarely can cause the drain to distort and have one side higher than the other. Usually, though it just tears out the bottom of the tub. Before I read your post that is what I thought the pictures were illustrating, a drain higher on one side than the other. They (Vintage Tub) are misunderstanding your problem I think. Here is a diagram of the whole thing.

As you can see there is no way to cut the drain shoe. There is also no lever (the one that sits on the overflow) that could be too long on a toe tap drain. I know it is Memorial day weekend but even the plumbers at Lowes will know this one, go ask one.

Edit: I can't imagine a plumber cutting a drain ell too short in a tub drain. It is an incredibly simple system and designed to have a lot of tolerances. I doubt very seriously that a plumber cut it short. Even helping my father at 13 and 14 years old I could set a tub, and I was a lot more stupid back then than I am now.

I know everyone is saying it's installed correctly but if that bottom picture is the closed position that it does look high to me. My experience with the pop up is that the rubber seal actually flanges out when closed, however maybe different products are manufactured differently. Did you put water in and leave it and see if it is leaking? No sense in replacing it with the new one they sent if it's working correctly.

I doubt it is a functional problem as that is not mentioned (maybe I am assuming too much, but I would think if were not holding water that might be mentioned before not liking the way it looks.) Depending on the brand, it is not higher than normal, for example, the Kingston Brass sticks up over 3/4 of an inch when closed. On most of the models the pop up height is factory set, so if it is not working then the only thing you can do is replace it with one that is.

Edit: you did check and see that it is screwed on all the way, right? Just turn it clockwise.

It's pretty idiot proof to install. It's s disappointing to you I know to have The supplier not tell you that it's not a low profile model and then hand you a line of bs about cutting pipes.

I clearly know nothing about plumbing, or even what a "low profile model" is, but VT is a well-regarded company on these forums, as are their tubs, as is their customer service, and I got the package made for the tub. The pipe cutting instructions are in the installation instructions.

littlemonkey, The concern presently isn't whether it will hold water. It's that it's not supposed to poke the bather in the butt. That's why it's preferred over the other two types. The drain isn't all the way at the end of the tub; it's in the middle.

Don't see how it would ever stick someone in the butt as its on the foot end and not the butt end. If the tub is intended for two, those have center drains. Again, not under anyone's butt.

Have you sat in it yet?

See above. It's in the middle of the tub.

How you cut the drain ell is not going to make any difference on the height that the stopper rests above the tub when closed. At least not if the flange is screwed into the shoe, which yours appears to be (you can test this by filling your tub with water, if the water doesn't start flooding your bathroom floor from under the tub then it is safe to say the flange is screwed into the shoe.)

There is absolutely no way for this type of drain stopper to sit level with the bottom. The one I showed you (the Kohler) is much lower but it still sits above the tub. And really you can't sit on any type of spring activated stopper, well unless every couple of minutes you bounce on it when you realize you just opened it up again with your gluteus maximus. Not to mention the one you have clearly has a decent lip on it, even if it were to go all the way down to the bottom of the tub it would stick up at least that much. It still would be uncomfortable to sit on. If you really communicated that you planned to be sitting on that end of the tub, then they completely lied to you when they said this type of cap is what you were looking for. I don't care how good of a company they normally are, they are either misunderstanding what you want or they are lying to you.

I have taken the position in most of the thread that VT simply are not understanding what you want, because no one who understands these products could ever think that thing will be comfortable to sit on.

Another thing with this style above (if it infact is meant to sit above the tub) is that it would get super gunky in between the rubber seal and the pop up portion. You'd have to be in there with q-tips cleaning it. So if it is a higher profile style, I'd swap it out for more than just the comfort factor.

Editing to add that I looked up the terminology and what you are looking for is a "through the floor pop up". So if you contact the bath company again, ask if that is the style of this drain.

Sorry, editing yet again (haven't had my tea yet lol). When I was looking up what the drains were called some types could be installed as above the floor or through the floor. So it is quite possible that this is a dual drain but was installed as an above the floor rather than through the floor.

I doubt if she wants to completely uninstall the tub and open up the floor and walls in order to change the drain type. It would be an expensive personal preference decision. This decision has to be made before installation. Or replaced with one of those after market rubber flaps that sit over the drain and are held in place by water pressure.

I repeat, have you actually sat in this tub? If you are sitting normally, the drain should not be under your butt. If it is, then I'd like to know how you sit in a tub that is different than the majority of people. And that is a serious question. I just do not see how the drain is going to interfere with the normal use of the tub

People who post on forums mostly do so because they want information and lack the ability to source it for themselves. People who respond to posts on forums do so because they genuinely want to help others. Telling them not to respond, on a public forum, is the antithesis of the spirit of a public forum. Information helps many more people than the OP.

Like LWO, I can't see how plugs meant to be at your feet in traditional claw foot tubs, or at your knees in double slippers and double ended are getting sat on (and I did look into RM tubs just to ensure their design wasn't unusual.)

VT has a vested interest in making you happy, I am sure they will correct the problem, but they have to understand the problem, which, if they are sending you the same drain, they don't. Try to make them understand. By the way, they are not partially at fault, if you communicated what you wanted and they sent you the stopper that got installed, they are fully at fault. In fact, they gave you an implied warranty for fitness of a particular purpose, for which the drain is not suited. These drains set above the floor and they have to, they seal the tub much more effectively than pop up drains, but they use the pressure difference between the tub full of water and the empty drain pipe to seal. There are other options for you, but honestly none of them are as good as a 2 dollar rubber drain cap from Walmart. Pop up drains are not going to work unless you have access to the plumbing.

I assume that you live in an area without easy access to a plumbing showroom, where you can test various drains by hand. I looked quickly through the VT website, and I don't see a Kohler equivalent low profile replacement. Kohler makes a retrofit that should work in your tub and give you what you want.

Edit: If you want another opinion go post on the forums at TerryLove.com

If the non standard practice of drain sitting was a primary reason for choosing this particular tub and drain, then in person ivestigation of that non standard seating posion would be called for in order to determine said comfort level when drain sitting. I know of no drain that would provide ''comfort'' as one of it's attributes and fulfil the OP's stated quest.

A marketing created Americanized name to sell mediocre private label Chinese import products doesn't make any company ''well regarded''.

I agree that it does look odd with it sticking out that far when closed, however if it holds water it is installed correctly. It is either a defective part or designed to be that way. Good news is that it is a toe tap which is easy to fix. You could probably get a new one in chrome from any hardware store that wont stick out too far if the replacement part also sticks out too far and is odd looking. Just try to match the thread thickness so it screws into the exisiting drain shoe.

I also dont see anyone sitting on the drain and leaning against the spout very often so I agree with greendesigns in saying that no drain would provide comfort. I also have never had a problem with stepping on the drain in a tub while taking a shower.

Try googling images "flip style tub drain"

You can't get any more low profile than that. I also see a toe-trip that looks very similar in design i.e. with the o-ring running the circumference. No need to open walls, ceilings or pull the tub. You should be able to unscrew the existing and screw in the new.

This is exactly my issue - center drain, no overflow, high profile toe-tap.

No one actually sits on the drain, but sliding down to rinse ones head is something of a “surprise” - and not in a good way.

Did you ever resolve the problem?

You actually do that? lol

Only once. 😂

HU- I’m not familiar with all brands of pop-up drains, but many can be adjusted to vary the height. For example, here’s one from Kohler: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=J3aucLqS_M0

Thank you for that information! 😊