How To Fix A Bathroom Sink Drain

When a drain stops working well or is damaged in a sink, it is often cheaper and more efficient to simply replace the drain. Replacing a drain requires unscrewing the sink drain assembly from the main house drain plumbing. Kits are available that contain new drain units and all the pieces needed to install it without leaks. Hardware, kitchen and bath and home improvement stores all carry a variety of drains to fit any need or budget.

Things You'll Need

• Wrench
• New drain kit
• Plumber’s putty
• Pliers

Instructions

1. Remove everything from under the sink to give space to work. Locate the compression cap connected to the sink trap between the main sink drain piece and the junction pipe coming from the wall and floor. Use a wrench or hand-loosen the cap so the trap comes free of the drain.

2. Loosen the nut at the underside of the sink base with the wrench and pull it free from the drain pipe. Once it is loose, it is easy to unscrew it by hand until it slips off the end. Push up on the drain from underneath the sink to dislodge it and the putty it’s set into from the sink. From above, pull the drain out of the hole in the bottom of the bowl.

3. Create a thin 1/4-inch thick and approximately 2-inch long roll of plumber’s putty. Form the rolled putty into a ring shape around the drain hole at the bottom of the sink. Press the rolled putty down slightly to make sure it remains in place while you prepare a new drain.

4. Slide the new drain assembly down into the drain hole from above the sink and press it down into the plumber’s putty. They putty will squeeze up around the edge of the drain slightly, but just ignore it for the time being.

5. Slip the rubber gasket and nut over the bottom of the drain under the sink and begin threading it up on to the unit by hand. Tighten it securely with a wrench or pliers so it is tight against the bottom of the sink.

6. Fit the end of the trap up and under the sink drain and slide the compression cap up over the drain edge. Tighten the cap by hand until it can’t tighten anymore and then tighten it securely with a wrench to connect the drain to the rest of the home drainage system.

7. Remove the excess plumber’s putty squeezed up over the drain fitting in the sink bowl. Smooth the remaining visible putty slightly to improve the appearance and then allow it to dry for the duration listed on the putty container.

8. Turn on the tap for the sink and check underneath to make sure there is no leakage around the putty, the gasket or the compression cap. Tighten any leaking connections more and retest until there is no leakage.

Tips & Warnings

• If there is not enough room to work after disconnecting the drain from the trap, you may need to remove the trap from the house plumbing to get work space.

• Don’t over-tighten the nut under the sink to connect the drain to the bowl. Doing so could crack or otherwise damage the sink.

References

• “Black & Decker - The Complete Guide to Plumbing: Expanded 4th Edition”; Editors of Creative Publishing; 2008