Drain valve assembly and method of cleansing

A drain valve for use with an air bath having an air distribution system, said drain valve comprising:

• a valve housing for positioning within a drain opening in a bath vessel, said valve housing including an upper opening having a diameter, and a lower opening having a diameter that extends at an angle to said diameter of said first opening, said lower opening for receiving fluid from said air distribution system;
• a strainer body removably secured within said valve housing;
• a stopper having first and second plungers, an internal channel and a longitudinal axis;
• and
• a guide post including a longitudinal axis positioned within said internal channel for supporting said stopper.

A method of cleansing channels of an air distribution system for a bath vessel having a drain valve for retaining fluid within the bath vessel and fluid pressure within the air distribution system, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) introducing a predetermined amount of a cleansing solution into the air distribution system through a fluid inlet when the drain valve is closed;
• b) filling the bath vessel with a fluid to a first predetermined level above air distribution holes in the bath vessel;
• c) mixing said cleansing solution with said fluid and allowing the mixture to set within the air distribution system and the bath vessel;
• d) opening the drain valve so the mixed fluid and cleansing solution flow through the air channels and into the drain valve;
• e) positioning a drain cover over the open drain valve to prevent the mixed fluid and cleansing solution from flowing directly into the drain valve from the bath vessel;
• and
• f) removing said drain cover after the fluid and cleansing solution has reached a second predetermined level below said first predetermined level.