How to Properly Install a Sink Drain in a Stainless Steel Sink

Replacing your old sink with a new stainless steel sink is a great idea for updating the look of your kitchen. Kitchen sinks do not have the drain pre-installed. Once you know how to properly install a sink drain in a stainless steel sink, your sink replacement project will be complete. You can purchase sink drains and PVC drain pipe kits at most big box hardware stores or where you purchased your sink.

Things You'll Need

• Sink drain
• Silicone caulk
• Caulking gun
• Pipe wrench
• Helper
• 2 flathead screwdrivers
• Teflon tape
• PVC drain pipe kit
• Hacksaw
• Utility knife

Instructions

1. Use the caulking gun to apply a thin bead of silicone caulk on the outside rim of the drain hole in the stainless steel sink. Also apply a thin bead of caulk under the flange of the new sink drain. Set the sink drain evenly into the drain hole of the sink. Press it down flush to the sink and twist it ¼-inch to spread the silicone caulk evenly.

2. Go under the sink and place the friction washer and the rubber washer over the protruding sink drain sleeve. Thread the large lock nut onto the drain and tighten it with a pipe wrench. To keep the drain from turning while you are tightening the lock nut, have a helper hold the blades of two flathead screwdrivers inside the sink drain in an "x" formation.

3. Separate the three pieces of your drain pipe kit. There is a piece for the drain to the wall, a tailpiece for the sink drain and a sink trap to connect all three. Slide the slip nut over the wall drain piece with the threads of the slip nut facing the wall. Thread the slip nut onto the pipe coming from the wall and tighten it with the pipe wrench.

4. Slide a slip nut on each end of your sink trap with the threads facing out. Wrap Teflon tape around the outer threads of the installed wall drain piece. Line up the sink trap and thread the sink trap slip nut to the wall drain pipe. Do not tighten this nut at this time.

5. Hold the tailpiece to the bottom of the sink drain and line up the sink trap to the other end. The tailpiece should fit 1-inch inside the sink trap. Mark where the tailpiece will have to be cut and cut the tailpiece to size using a hacksaw.

6. Slide a slip nut over the tailpiece and attach the tailpiece to the sink drain with the slip nut. Fit the other end into the sink trap and attach the sink trap using the slip nut. Tighten down all of the slip nuts evenly with a pipe wrench.

7. Go back up into the sink and use a utility knife to remove any residual silicone caulk from around the sink drain. Fill the sink with 6 inches of water and allow it to drain. Inspect your connections while the water is draining. Tighten any leaky connection as necessary.

References

• Sink Drain Installation
• Sink Drain