How to Fix a Leaky Bathroom Sink Drain Stopper
When your bathroom sink drains and does not hold water, the most common problem is that the drain stopper control arm has become unhooked or loose. In modern drains, the sink stopper is closed when the control arm is lowered. When a leaking sink drain stopper is discovered, the first thing to check is the control arm and the assembly that holds it in place. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Adjustable pliers
- Flashlight
- Tape
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Instructions
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Put the stopper back into the hole. Turn the stopper to make sure it catches onto the pivot rod. Try pulling up and down on plunger, if the stopper opens and closes the drain when you do this, fill the sink with water. If it holds properly you are done.
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If the stopper does not seal the sink when the plunger is up. Pull just slightly below the top most up position and tape it into place.
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Turn on a flashlight and go underneath the sink to locate the control and lift rods. Underneath the plunger you will find a control rod. It connects to a lift rod that actually lifts up the stopper.
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Locate the bolt/nut that holds the lift rod and control rods together. The typical problem is that this bolt has become loose or is positioned incorrectly.
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Use your adjustable pliers to loosen the bolt/nut that holds the control and lift rods together. Most of these on modern sinks are made of plastic, so tighten gently and don't grip the bolt/nut too hard or it will crack.
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Push the stopper down so that it prevents water from draining out.
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Tighten the bolt between the control and lift rods. The bathroom sink drain stopper should now respond to the plunger and seal the sink when you pull it up.
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Tips & Warnings
On older sinks that use a rubber stopper, there is no repair procedure. The stopper must be replaced to work effectively.
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