How to Repair Kitchen Sink Drains

Kitchen sink drains are separated into two distinct parts. The sink basket and the drain pipes. The sink basket sits inside of the sink and is connected to both the sink proper and the drain pipes. The drain pipes are connected to the tail of the sink basket, and then wind their way underneath the sink and attach up to the main household drain system. Although connected together, both the sink basket and drain pipes need to be addressed separately when any repair on a kitchen sink drain is attempted.

Things You'll Need

• Pipe wrench
• Sink basket washer
• Pipe dope
• Nylon pipe washer(s)
• Drain pipe kit w/ washers--Available at any hardware store

Instructions

The Sink Basket

1. Check beneath the sink for running or dripping water where the sink basket meets the sink.

2. Use a pipe wrench to remove the sink basket holding nut.

3. Unscrew the pipe nut where the sink basket meets the drain pipe. It will unscrew by hand.

4. Pull the sink basket straight up from the sink and discard the washer.

5. Replace the old washer with a new one.

6. Reattach the sink basket to the sink and the pipes in the reverse order as it came out.

The Drain Pipe Joints

1. Determine where a leak is coming from in the drain pipe joints.

2. Unscrew the connecting nut where the leak is found and separate the pipes.

3. Inspect the washer. If it is pitted or cracked, replace it with a new one. If it is intact, go to the next step.

4. Coat the pipe washer and the threads on the connecting nut with pipe dope.

5. Press the washer back in place, then line up the drain pipes and hand tighten the connecting nut onto the threads until it is firm.

A Broken Pipe

1. Inspect the pipes as you would for a leak, and if the leak is coming from a cracked or broken pipe, it will need to be replaced.

2. Unscrew the connecting nuts on both sides and remove the damaged pipe.

3. Replace the damaged pipe with a new one from the drain pipe kit. Discard the old washers and use the new ones supplied.

4. Line up the new pipe and hand tighten the connecting nuts until they are firm.

Tips & Warnings

• If the connecting nuts are a bit difficult to loosen initially, you can use a channel lock wrench to get them started. However, use as little force as needed or you may crack the connecting nut.

References

• Kitchen sink drain kit