How to Repair a Bathroom Sink Drain

Many things can go wrong with the drain in a bathroom sink. Fortunately, many of the most common problems are ones that can be fixed by the average homeowner. The tools necessary are things that most people already have around the house. There are two main repairs that can solve most sink problems, and these involve the removal of the stopper or the replacement of a pop-up mechanism.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Screwdriver
• Plunger

1. Start by remembering that drains will last much longer if the only thing that goes down them is water. Clogs are caused by everything else but water going down a drain. Hair and foreign particles get wrapped around the stopper, causing a slow or blocked drain.

2. Pull the stopper out to the open position and away from the drain. If the stopper cannot be pulled straight out, turn it counterclockwise. This should release the stopper from a pivot rod and allow complete removal. If you still cannot remove the stopper, unscrew a retaining nut that is located beneath the sink.

3. Remove the O-ring to clean the stopper. Clean the removed stopper with a steel brush. Remove all hair, and rinse the stopper before replacing.

4. Remove the lift rod and pivot if cleaning the stopper does not solve your drain problem. Remove the stopper again and loosen the clevis screw located beneath the sink. Lift up on the pivot rod. This is normally located between your two faucet handles and controls the stopper. Loosen the retaining nut so that you can pull out the pivot rod and the ball from the body of the drain. Replace the lift rod if it is damaged. Tighten the retaining nut and clevis screw when finished.

5. Use an old-fashioned rubber plunger if the drain backs up to the point where the sink fills or overflows. The problem may wind up being extreme blockage that can be fixed by cleaning the stopper or replacing the pivot rod, but you won't be able to do those things until you get rid of the water. Use a bucket to empty the sink enough so that you can work with the plunger. Place the rubber end of the plunger over the drain and plunge.

References

• Bathroom Sink Stopper Problems
• Bathroom Sink Plumbing

[jeriaht]

on 10/22/2009 Thanks!