How to Install a Sink Drain in a Porcelain Sink

You can install a drain like this.

Bathroom and kitchen sink drains are installed in the same way regardless of whether the sink is porcelain or stainless steel. To install a drain in a porcelain bathroom sink, you begin inside the sink and work your way down underneath the sink by connecting one piece of pipe at a time. Installing a drain is not difficult, and you can save yourself a considerable amount of money in plumber's fees.

Things You'll Need

• Plumber's putty
• Pipe wrench
• Channel locks

Instructions

1. Connect the metal flange to the sink drain. The flange is the metal ring that sits in the center of the sink and twists onto the threaded end of the sink drain pipe.

2. Pinch a quarter-size piece of plumber's putty and roll it into a 3-inch line. Wrap the plumber's putty around the underneath side of the flange.

3. Place the sink drain into the hole in the center of the sink until the flange is touching the sink. Adjust the sink drain underneath the sink so that the small hole on the side of the pipe is facing the back of the sink. This hole is for the pop-up assembly ball rod when you install the faucet.

4. Slide the washer and lock nut up to the threads on the drain pipe, and tighten the lock nut on the underneath side of the sink with a pipe wrench. When you tighten the lock nut, the plumber's putty under the flange will create a seal and the excess will be squeezed out. Use your finger to scrape away the excess plumber's putty from around the flange.

5. Slide the plastic O-ring onto the end of the sink drain with the tapered edge facing down. An O-ring creates a seal between the sink drain and the drainpipe. Place the threaded end of the drainpipe onto the sink drain and slide it up to the O-Ring. Tighten the plastic lock nut with channel locks to keep the drainpipe connected to the sink drain. The drainpipe will slide approximately 4 inches onto the sink drain.

6. Connect the p-trap to the newly installed drainpipe, and to the pipe coming out of the wall. Tighten both lock nuts with the channel locks, and turn on the water supply lines.

7. Turn on the hot and cold water, and allow it to run down the new drain. Place your hand around each new connection to check for leaks. Tighten the new connections a little bit a time until there is no more moisture.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not overtighten the lock nut on the underneath side of the sink. Doing so can crack porcelain.

References

• Bathroom Vessel Sinks: How to Install a Vessel Sink and Faucet
• Wood Gears: Installing a New Bathroom Sink