Repairing Guides

how to repair a drain stopper

by Prof. Chester Parisian PhD Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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How to Fix a Pop-Up Drain Stopper

  • Remove the Cover Plate and Plunger Back out the mounting screws that hold the overflow cover plate onto the overflow tube. ...
  • Clean the Spring Clean away any debris on the spring at the end of the stopper linkage. ...
  • Adjust the Connecting Rod If necessary, adjust the connecting rod to lengthen it. ...
  • Reassemble the Stopper Insert the stopper linkage back down through the overflow opening and attach the cover plate to the overflow tube. ...

How to use a drain auger to unclog a drain?

Where to Use a Drain Auger?

  • Kitchen sinks which can easily become blocked.
  • Toilets, as the flexible cable allows it to snake around the U-bend.
  • Shower and bath drains which are often blocked with hair.
  • Washing machine drains, which often get clogged due to a build-up of detergent.
  • Sewer drains which can become blocked by household waste or when incorrect items are flushed. ...

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How do I change a tub drain stopper?

Replacing Bath Tub Drain

  1. Choose Your Tools. Items needed to remove and replace a modern screw in bath tub drain (not all drains are like this). ...
  2. Remove the Old Drain. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device. ...
  3. Clean the Seating Area and Apply Fresh Plumbers Putty. ...
  4. Insert the New Drain. ...
  5. Remove Excess Putty and Install the Drain Plug. ...

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How to put the drain stopper back in the sink?

Part 4 Part 4 of 4: Installing the New Sink Stopper Mechanism

  1. Align and place the drain stopper into the sink's drain opening. ...
  2. Insert the tapered plastic washer into the horizontal stub on the tailpipe. ...
  3. Feed the pivot rod into the stub and through the hole on the drain stopper. ...
  4. Feed the pivot nut over the pivot rod and tighten it onto the pipe stub. ...
  5. Install and connect the lift handle and extension bar. ...

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How to adjust the sink stopper in your drain plumbing?

What if New Sink Drain Does Not Line Up With Existing Pipes?

  • Sink Drain Basics. Conventional sink drains generally consist of three parts: tailpiece, P-trap and extension pipe. ...
  • Adjusting Vertical Orientation. ...
  • Adjusting Horizontal Orientation. ...
  • Cutting and Installing Sink Drain Components. ...

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How do you fix a drain stopper?

1:275:29How to Fix a Bathroom Sink Stopper | This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe put a couple of screwdrivers in there all right you take those okay. And hold back as i try toMoreWe put a couple of screwdrivers in there all right you take those okay. And hold back as i try to loosen this nut watch your fingers. Just fight me. There we go.

Can you replace drain stopper?

Lift the sink drain stopper out of the drain. Inspect the rubber seal on the bottom of the stopper head. If the seal is cracked or brittle, the stopper should be replaced. If it's still in good condition, you can reuse it.

How do you fix a sink stopper that won't stay up?

0:392:26How to Fix Sink Stopper that Will not Stay Up - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWith that simple simple fix. So all I'm doing is just finger tightening this knot.MoreWith that simple simple fix. So all I'm doing is just finger tightening this knot.

How much does it cost to replace a sink stopper?

Replace a Kitchen Sink Drain: national average cost The national average materials cost to replace a kitchen sink drain is $10.61 per drain, with a range between $9.52 to $11.70.

Why won't my bathroom sink stopper stay down?

If the stopper moves as it should but doesn't stay put, all you need to do is tighten the nut (turn it clockwise). If the action is too stiff, loosen the nut a little. Check the action and adjust until it feels about right.

How much does it cost to replace a bathtub drain stopper?

Install a Bathtub Drain: national average costcost to install a bathtub drainNational Avg. Materials Cost per drain$96.35National Avg. Cost (labor and materials) for 1 drain$345.97National Cost Range (labor and materials) for 1 drain$313.33 - $378.62Jul 10, 2022

Are tub stoppers universal?

Toe Touch Bathtub Drain Stopper You can activate or deactivate the drain stopper by simply using your toe. Although this type of bathtub drain stopper is easy to use, it isn't universal and might not work for all drains.

How to stop water from flooding under sink?

If there is already some water in the basin, putting a bucket underneath the sink might be a good way to stop it from flooding beneath your sink.

Why isn't my sink draining water?

If your sink is not draining water, it’s because of one of two reasons: Your sink’s pop-up drain stopper is damaged, or the pivot rod is rusted or broken.

How to put a spring clip back in place?

Squeeze the spring clip back into place, joining the pivot rod with the clevis strap tightly.

How to reattach clevis strap to pivot rod?

Reattach the clevis strap to the pivot rod through the same hole you marked when you slid it out. Changing the hole will give you different results than before for the top rod by the sink, making it a bit shorter or longer.

How to move pivot rod?

Take the cleaned or new pivot rod with the ball attached, and insert it back inside the tailpiece where it was before. When you move the pivot in an up-down motion after inserting it, the drain stopper should also move along with it. If that is not the case, it means you need to readjust the drain stopper till the rod goes into the stopper hole, and it moves accordingly.

How to remove pivot rod from tailpiece?

The pivot rod is now only attached to the tailpiece with a retaining nut and gasket. Unscrew the nut from the base and slide it out. Then, pull and slide the gasket ring out of the pivot rod as well.

How to break a clevis strap?

Observe the area where the clevis strap is bound to the horizontal pivot rod. You will see that a spring clip is securing the clevis strap, binding it to the pivot rod. Put some pressure onto that clip to break its grip on the clevis strap. Then slowly take off the spring clip.

How do you know if a drain stopper is working correctly?

How do you know if things are working correctly? If everything is correct you should be able to pull up and push down on the lift rod and the drain stopper should move up and down.

Why does my stopper never pull down?

Is your issue that you can push the stopper up – but it never pulls down? A common reason for that is the bottom of the stopper is positioned 90 degrees offset.

What to do if your lift rod pulls out of the hole?

If your lift rod literally pulls out of the hole in the back of the faucet, you probably need to tighten the bolt at the top of the lift rod strap. Alternatively, you might be dealing with an issue with your pivot rod which will be covered in point #2.

What happens when you tighten a lift rod?

From there, you’ll be at the correct adjustment. So when you tighten it, your lift rod will be down. You’ll be able to pull it up and then that will seal the stopper in the closed position.

How to tighten a pivot rod?

Insert the pivot rod back in place with the seal’s concave side facing out – and hand-tighten the nut.

Do you need a channellock plier for metal?

Note, if you’re working with plastic you may not need any tools. With metal, you’ll probably need to use channellock pliers.

Does drain stopper travel up or down?

Note that the further your clip is out at the end – the longer travel your drain stopper will have moving up and down. On the other hand, the further you go in, the less travel. So this can be customizable depending on what you want.

How to keep a drain stopper in good working order?

Keeping the drain clear of hair, soap and shampoo residue, and other debris is one of the best ways to help keep the stopper in good working order.

How does a pop up drain stopper work?

Pop-ups are simple mechanical devices that use a system of links and levers to move a drain stoppers up and down to seal a sink bowl or bathtub. Bathroom sink pop-ups are raised and lowered with a lift knob or lever, usually located on or near the faucet body.

How to remove a sink stopper?

If it seems to be linked to the mechanism below, reach under the sink and unscrew the pivot rod retaining nut and pull out the pivot rod to disengage it. Use locking-jaw pliers to loosen it if necessary.

Why won't my sink pop up?

Water may leak or refuse to drain around a sink pop-up for a number of reasons. If your sink pop-up won’t pop up or seat properly, fixing it is quite easy—usually just a matter of adjusting a few parts. The culprit is often a buildup of hair around the base of the stopper or the pivot rod mechanism. Or, the clevis may be out of adjustment (see illustration to identify the various parts).

How to adjust pop up stopper?

Depending upon the type of pop-up, you adjust the way the stopper seats either by adjusting the length of the striker rod or by adjusting the rocker arm.

What is the pivot rod on a sink?

The pivot rod beneath the sink connects the pop-up to the sink-top lever. LightWaveMedia / Shutterstock.com

How to fix a water dripping on a pivot ball?

6 If water drips from around the pivot ball, tighten the retaining nut that holds the ball in place. You may also need to replace the gasket or washer (or both) inside the pivot ball-and-rod assembly.

What to do if your sink drain kit has a metal tailpipe?

If your sink drain kit has a metal tailpipe, the exposed threads may be on the tailpipe instead of the sink drain. If so, smear the pipe joint compound on the exposed tailpipe threads instead.

How to remove pivot rod from drain?

The pivot nut is threaded onto a short stub on the drainpipe, and is the entry point for the pivot rod into the drain. Turn the nut counterclockwise by hand — or use a wrench if necessary — to unthread it. Pull it straight off along with the inserted pivot rod. You should now see the pivot ball nestled inside the nut, along with the stub of the pivot rod that connects to the stopper inside the pipe.

How to tighten a pivot rod?

Feed the pivot nut over the pivot rod and tighten it onto the pipe stub. Tighten the nut by hand onto the threads on the end of the tailpipe's horizontal stub. If you overtighten the nut, the pivot rod may not be able to move up and down freely — test the rod's movement, and loosen the nut slightly if necessary.

How to loosen a PVC tailpipe?

If your trap is PVC, the connector will be a PVC compression nut that you can loosen by hand. If the trap is metal, it will be a metal nut that requires a large wrench or channel locks to loosen. In either case, loosen the nut completely so that the two sections of pipe are disconnected.

How to make a sink ring?

Then, roll it into a “snake” about the thickness of a pencil, and form a ring by pressing the ends together. Press this ring onto the rim of the opening in your sink basin.

How to install a plastic washer on a car?

Insert the tapered plastic washer into the horizontal stub on the tailpipe. Your kit will come with a small plastic ring that is slightly wider in diameter on one side than the other. Place the narrower side into the opening first. This washer will help hold the ball on the pivot rod in place and provide a watertight seal.

Where to put gaskets on sink?

Stack any included gaskets on top of the locknut or bell housing. Without these one or more gaskets that came with the kit, you'll have a metal-to-metal compression connection under the sink that won't be watertight. Follow the provided product instructions regarding the order and placement of the gasket (s), then put them on top of the locknut or bell housing before you slip it over the threads of the sink drain's bottom.

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