How to Fix Kitchen Sink Drain Assembly

A leak from underneath a sink is almost always due to a sink drain assembly, sometimes referred to as a "sink strainer," that has not been properly sealed to the bottom of the sink. Other times the rubber gasket or friction ring at the bottom of the assembly has broken. Repairing the assembly is fairly straightforward, but it does require that the assembly be disassembled.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Channel-type pliers
• Spud wrench
• Plumber's putty
• Friction ring
• Rubber gasket

1. Disconnect the P-trap from the sink's tailpiece. The P-trap, sometimes referred to as the "drain trap," is the curved portion of pipe located underneath the sink. The P-trap is held in place with two slip nuts, one on each end. Unscrew both slip nuts with channel-type pliers, then pull the trap away from the sink to disconnect it.

2. Remove the sink's tailpiece. The tailpiece is the straight portion of pipe which attaches directly to the bottom of the sink's drain opening underneath the sink. Like the P-trap, the tailpiece is held in place with a slip nut. Unscrew the slip nut with channel-type pliers, then pull the tailpiece away from the sink to remove it.

3. Remove the locknut, followed by the friction ring and the rubber gasket. The locknut is a large metal ring which attaches to the bottom of the sink. The purpose of the locknut is to hold the sink's strainer body securely against the bottom of the sink. Note the several lugs around the diameter of the locknut. To remove the locknut, grasp two of the lugs with a spud wrench, then twist the locknut in a counterclockwise direction. As the locknut is lowered, the friction ring and rubber gasket will lower with it.

4. Remove the strainer body, then peel the old plumber's putty from off of the lip of the strainer body and from the bottom of the sink at the drain opening. Press upward on the bottom of the strainer body from underneath the sink to remove it.

5. Apply a bead of plumber's putty to the lip of the drain opening, then lower the strainer body onto the putty.

6. Place a new friction ring onto the top of the locknut, followed by a new rubber gasket. Carefully position the locknut onto the threaded end of the bottom of the strainer body from underneath the sink, then tighten the locknut in place with a spud wrench.

7. Connect the tailpiece and the P-trap. Press the tip of the tailpiece onto the bottom of the strainer body, then twist the slip nut onto the end of the tailpiece in a clockwise direction with channel-type pliers to secure the tailpiece in place. Place the bottom of the tailpiece into the P-trap, then tighten each of the P-trap's two slip nuts with the pliers. Allow at least two hours to pass for the plumber's putty to dry to complete the repair.

References

• "Home Repair Guide;" Ten Pound Books; 2007