How to Replace a Drain Pipe & P-Trap on a Pedestal Sink

Pedestals conceal plumbing with elegance.

Pedestals add a classic charm to bathroom sinks. Inside the pedestal's hollow interior, a drainpipe and P-trap divert wastewater from the sink. The drainpipe connects directly to the underside of your sink. The P-trap, meanwhile, joins at one end to the drainpipe and the other to an “arm” extending from the wall. Proper replacement of the drainpipe and P-trap ensures that water flows cleanly through the drain without leaking between the pipe joints.

Things You'll Need

• Socket wrench
• Pail or bowl
• Groove-joint pliers
• Damp cloth (as needed)
• Slotted screwdriver
• Plumber's putty

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Instructions

Removal

1. Remove the mounting screws from the base of the pedestal using a socket wrench fitted with a properly sized socket.

2. Slide the pedestal carefully forward, away from the wall. Move the pedestal just enough to provide extra working room.

3. Loosen the nut that connects the pivot rod to the back of the drainpipe. The pivot rod joins the stopper to a lifting assembly at the rear of the sink. Slide the loosened rod from the drainpipe.

4. Remove the stopper from inside the sink.

5. Place a pail or bowl beneath the P-trap to catch spilling water.

6. Loosen the slip nut at either end of the P-trap using groove-joint pliers. Detach the P-trap, and empty its contents into the pail or bowl.

7. Loosen the hex-shaped locknut that connects the drainpipe to the sink using the groove-joint pliers.

8. Force the drainpipe up through the bottom of the sink, breaking the flange seal on the surface of the sink.

9. Hold the flange seal from above while turning the drainpipe counterclockwise to loosen. If necessary, hold the flange with a damp cloth to provide better grip.

10. Detach the loosened drainpipe from the flange.

Installation

1. Scrape any remaining putty from the bottom of the drain flange using a slotted screwdriver. Cover the bottom of the flange with a fresh roll of plumber's putty.

2. Fit the replacement drainpipe through the bottom of the sink until the head emerges through the sink drain hole.

3. Thread the flange onto the head of the drainpipe.

4. Tighten the hex-shaped locknut that secures the drainpipe to the underside of the sink.

5. Join the longer end of the P-trap to the bottom of the drainpipe and the shorter end to the P-trap arm protruding from the wall.

6. Tighten the P-trap slip nuts by hand before giving a final tightening with the pliers.

7. Reinstall the stopper into the drain hole. Insert the horizontal rod back into the side of the drainpipe and tighten the locknut.

8. Slide the pedestal back in place. Thread the mounting screws back into the pedestal base before tightening the screws down.

Tips & Warnings

• Use lubricating oil to help loosen difficult slip nuts. Give the oil an hour to work before attempting once again to loosen the nuts.

References

• Ultimate Guide to Home Repair and Improvement; Editors of Creative Homeowner