- With a slight twist, try to lift out the stopper. ...
- Lift the stopper from the drain. Clean off all hair and debris. If the stopper is broken or its seal looks worn, replace it.
- Face the hole at the bottom of the stopper toward the pivot rod’s location, and drop the stopper back into the drain hole. ...
- Loosen the set screw on the clevis and adjust the strap up or down so that it operates the pivot rod to open and close the stopper. ...
- If adjusting the clevis screw doesn’t help, reset the pivot rod by squeezing the spring clip and freeing the pivot rod. ...
- If water drips from around the pivot ball, tighten the retaining nut that holds the ball in place. ...
How to freshen up a sink drain?
- Ice cubes
- Rock salt
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Citrus slices
- Borax
- Dish soap
- Toothbrush
How to fix sink stopper that will not stay up?
Steps Download Article
- Understand a bit of what's going on under your sink. ...
- Push and pull the rod. Notice whether the drain stopper moves. ...
- Adjust the nut. On the back of the drainpipe, there is a nut. ...
- Make sure the two rods are connected. ...
- Attach the stopper to the lower rod. ...
- Adjust the location of the lower rod. ...
- Adjust the travel of the lower rod. ...
How to remove a drain from a sink?
- Try Removing Sink Stopper by Hand. Some sink stoppers can be removed by hand, without the need of special tools or equipment. ...
- Remove Items Under Sink. Before working under your sink, remove the sink cabinets of its contents, so you can more easily move around underneath.
- Find Horizontal Plunger Rod. ...
- Find Metal Clip. ...
- Remove Pivot Nut. ...
- Remove Sink Stopper. ...
How to replace a rusty sink drain?
Replacing a Bathroom Sink Drain Collar
- Turn off the water to the sink at the valves. Clear away anything below the sink to make enough room to place a bucket beneath the drain.
- Locate the mounting nuts that hold together the drain and drain assembly leading up to the collar. Loosen and remove these nuts using a pair of pliers.
- Reach above the sink and pull out the old drain collar. ...
How do you fix a sink drain stopper?
0:235:29How to Fix a Bathroom Sink Stopper | This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOkay now this piece called a tail piece is threaded into the cast piece above okay and i don'tMoreOkay now this piece called a tail piece is threaded into the cast piece above okay and i don't really care about that so i'm going to use my pliers. And just back it out.
How do you reconnect a sink stopper rod?
3:194:41How to Install a Lift Rod in a Bathroom Sink - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPosition okay and we just put the wrench on the side of it now i'm going to try to fill thatMorePosition okay and we just put the wrench on the side of it now i'm going to try to fill that underneath but it's going to be a bit challenging. Because it's it's a very tight spot back in there.
How do you get a sink stopper back in screw?
1:203:06How to Reattach a Sink Drain Stopper - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis on there and I suggest you put it facing this way that way it catches sooner. So you're gonnaMoreThis on there and I suggest you put it facing this way that way it catches sooner. So you're gonna have to hold this while you thread that rod through that hole.
How do you replace a sink stopper assembly?
1:143:31How to Install a Pop-Up Drain in a Bathroom Sink | Repair and ReplaceYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUse the channel lock pliers to unscrew the nut at the bottom of the drain. Now remove the rubber.MoreUse the channel lock pliers to unscrew the nut at the bottom of the drain. Now remove the rubber. Gasket. Now pull out the drain. Clean any excess plumber's putty from the sink hole.
How do you replace a broken pivot rod in a bathroom sink?
0:442:49HOW to FIX a Broken Sink DRAIN STOPPER Rod - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBecause the rod has to go through it. So i'm just gonna put it straight down like that you need to iMoreBecause the rod has to go through it. So i'm just gonna put it straight down like that you need to i'm going to insert this first.
How do you replace a bathroom sink stopper?
1:244:21Replace a Bathroom Sink Stopper - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo that the stopper moves up and down in the correct range disconnect the lift rod from theMoreSo that the stopper moves up and down in the correct range disconnect the lift rod from the adjustable strap by turning the nut counter clockwise. Turn the nut on the pivot rod counterclockwise. If
How to Fix A Bathroom Sink Drain Stopper: 4 Easy Solutions
One of the most common issues – is that the lift rod moves up and down but the stopper doesn’t move. Or something along those lines! Here are four potential solutions that will hopefully fix things up.
4. Does the stopper go up but not down and the stopper is not damaged?
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.
The Wrap Up
I hope this helped you out! I know these plumbing projects can be intimidating, but they’re often more accessible than they seem once you get to know the parts a little better.
What is a sink stopper?
Sink stoppers are simple but useful tools that prevent water and debris from going down the drain. Although the parts wear out over time, they are fortunately easy to fix even if you have little plumbing experience. The stopper is controlled by a couple of metal bars underneath the sink.
How to fix a stopper that won't stay down?
Start by removing the stopper components. If the stopper won't rise, check and replace the horizontal pivot bar. Alternatively, move the vertical clevis to fix a stopper that won't stay down. Complete the repairs to get a tight-fitting stopper without having to call a plumber. Steps.
What is the retaining nut on a sink?
The retaining nut holds the levers that connect the stopper to its control on top of the sink. It’s not hard to spot since you can see these levers underneath the sink. If the nut looks rusted or leaky, you may need to replace it. Try cleaning or tightening it first before getting a new one.
Where should the pivot rod be in a sink?
Look for the hole at its bottom edge. That hole is where the end of the pivot rod needs to be. Drop the stopper into the sink, turning it so the hole faces the side opening, then push the ball end of the pivot rod into it. The pivot ball should rest right inside the pipe’s opening.
What does it mean when you remove a P trap from a sink?
Removing the P-trap from the sink’s plumbing means you can no longer run water in the sink without causing a big mess. Also, the P-trap usually has water in it, so keep a bucket underneath it.
How to get a retaining nut back on a pivot rod?
Screw the retaining nut back onto the pivot rod. Check the nut to make sure it has a rubber ring called a washer inside of it. Once the washer is in position, slide the nut onto the end of the pivot rod and all the way down to the ball. The nut covers the ball, capping the pipe’s opening.
How a Pop-Up Stopper Works
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.
How to Remove a Bathtub Pop-Up Drain Stopper
It’s easy to remove a tub stopper to check it for mechanical problems or blockage. You’ll encounter a couple of different types of bathtub pop-ups: old-style mechanisms like the one shown in our illustration above, and newer spring-loaded pop-ups.
How to Fix a Sink Pop-Up Drain Stopper
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.
How to tighten a pop up assembly?
Tighten the nut on the pop-up assembly body. This plastic one is made to tighten sufficiently with fingers only and no pliers. Tighten the body nut as tightly as your fingers can tighten it. Be careful that the body of the pop-up assembly does not rotate out of its position. Hold it firmly while tightening.
Can you tighten a pop up nut?
If your pop-up assembly is metal, be careful not to tighten the nut too much with a pair of pliers. Part of the metal nut is a thin washer mounted in the nut and it can push out. Once it does, you will have difficulty making the nut hold the ball on the linkage rod so there are no leaks.
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.
Can you unscrew a drain stopper?
You can now simply unscrew the drain stopper from the basin. If it needs cleaning, give it a good wash in another sink. However, if you are installing a new one, make sure you get the same size drain stopper.
