How to Install Drain Plumbing in a Kitchen Sink

Replacing the plumbing in a kitchen sink is a basic project that most people can handle on their own. Specialty plumbing kits are widely available in hardware stores to ensure that all of your separate components fit together and are threaded properly.

Things You'll Need

• Kitchen drain kit
• Spud wrench

Instructions

1. Purchase a kitchen drain kit. It saves you the trouble of making complex measurements, cutting pipes, sealing joints and struggling to create the proper configuration to keep sewer gases from coming back into your home through the sink.

2. Remove the old sink basket by unscrewing the nut that secures it with a spud wrench. You may need to use pliers to hold the basket into place while you remove the nut. There is a cross section under the basket where you can attach the pliers in order to hold it still.

3. Clean above and below the removed sink basket to remove any gunk and plumbing putty. Don't forget or skip this step, as it's critical in insuring the new sink basket doesn't leak once installed.

4. Attach the washer of the new sink basket. If the washer in your kit has a white backing, remove the white strip to expose the adhesive, center it, and put it firmly in place.

5. Install the sink basket from under the sink. Use the rubber washer first, followed by the cardboard washer and follow it up with the nut. Check to make sure the basket is centered and then tighten the nut into place.

6. Adjust the extension on the drain to match the basin of the sink. Put the washers on the sides and secure the nut.

7. Add the P-trap, making sure the "V" shaped washer points downward. No plumber's putty or tape is needed. Check all the nuts to make sure they're tight.

Tips & Warnings

• Few plumbers create their own draining system. Most experts use the plumbing kits to simplify the process and make the kitchen's plumbing standard.