You’ll likely need to uninstall your bathroom sink drain if you want to switch out its flange or install a new drain pipe, though most people can manage this DIY task if they follow instructions carefully.
Before getting started, you will require several tools. Begin by turning off the water and clearing away anything from underneath your sink so as to provide yourself with sufficient working space.
1. Remove the Stopper
If your bathroom sink drain is taking longer to empty than usual, there’s a strong chance that its stopper is stuck and needs to be unlocked to clear away clogs. When this occurs, one way of clearing away this blockage may be removing its stopper altogether.
Doing this requires just a few simple tools. Pliers or wrenches may come in handy to loosen the stopper nut on the drain pipe; then unhooking it by pulling upward on its cord until it dislodges from its attachment point in your sink hole.
Before beginning, it’s essential to identify what kind of bathroom sink stopper you own in order to know which tools will be necessary.
For instance, if your drain stopper is a lift and turn type, one of these methods should suffice: Technique #1: Pull up on the knob to open and pull out.
Make use of a screwdriver to unscrew the center post on the bottom of the drain stopper with ease – this may require multiple attempts or done gradually over time.
Additionally, a flat-head screwdriver may be necessary to loosen the slotted screw in the center post of your stopper. Once this step has been accomplished, removing it is simple.
At last, you must clean out the drain stopper to eliminate any debris that has become lodged within it. Vinegar or other cleaning solutions should work just fine to achieve this task.
Once you’ve cleaned and assembled your drain stopper, the next step should be reassembly of its components. As this can be quite a delicate task, keep a bucket handy to collect all small parts until they can be installed into their proper places.
Once all the parts have been assembled again, run water through your drain to test whether everything functions as expected. If something doesn’t look quite right, re-clean the drain stopper again before reinserting it back into its proper hole.
2. Remove the Flange
Bathroom sink drains consist of various components, including a stopper, flange and drain pipe. The flange serves to seal off the opening for leak-free operation of the drain. Should it become stuck or cracked over time, however, its replacement should be considered immediately.
Flanges can become stuck for any number of reasons, with the most prevalent being they become rusted over time and become difficult to remove. While this makes removal more challenging than expected, there are some steps you can take to loosen and remove the flange from your sink.
Before beginning any task in your workspace, ensure it is thoroughly clean. Use a dry cloth to wipe down pipes, the interior sink, and drains to provide yourself with an ideal environment to work in.
Next, gather all of the tools required for this task. Channel lock pliers are essential, along with plumber’s putty that can be purchased at most hardware stores or big box stores with plumbing departments.
Once you have your pliers handy, examine the flange assembly to assess its attachment to the drainpipe. A coupling nut connects it both parts – which may or may not be secured with putty that makes unscrewing difficult – but take note of any areas which need attention as you consider unscrewing each component.
Turning a nut counter-clockwise can help break up any residue or rust that’s jamming it, making removal simpler. Silicone lubricant spray may also work; otherwise try hammering with chisels until it breaks free!
Before beginning to unassemble the rest of the flange from your sink, you must first unscrew this nut using a screwdriver or alternatively by pushing up on it from underneath with your foot to loosen it.
If the flange won’t come off on its own, chip away some of the putty that’s holding it in place or use a hair dryer to heat and soften up its position. If this fails to do the trick, removing flange might require chipping away pieces of putty from its edges or heating with a hairdryer to soften up the material further.
3. Remove the Drain Pipe
If your bathroom sink drain is blocked, calling in a professional plumber for assistance can be the best way to go. A quality plumber can remove and clean out your drain pipe before reinstalling it to guarantee no further issues with it in the future.
Step one of removing a drain pipe involves disconnecting all of your sink’s water supply lines that lead to your plumbing pipes, so as to flush away any sediment that has built up inside and to ensure there are no leaks within your plumbing system.
Next, access the U-shaped part of your drainpipe running under your sink that is commonly known as the P-trap and perform an important function.
Your sewer gas seal protects against entering your home, but it can become blocked with hair or debris over time, so regular removal for cleaning must take place to maintain optimal performance.
Simply remove and empty out your trap into a bucket of water before replacing the trap.
Or you can try mixing vinegar and baking soda to unclog your drain. Combine 2/3 cup of white vinegar with one cup of baking soda, and pour the solution down your drain – it should cause the water to fizz up, clearing out your pipes.
Alternately, mixing hot water and citric acid will dissolve any build-up that has clogged your drain. You can purchase this solution in large plastic jugs or make your own by dissolving citric acid into hot water.
No matter which option you select for cleaning your bathroom sink drain, its importance cannot be overstated: regular use will ensure a clog-free experience and prevent expensive drain repairs or replacement in the future.
4. Replace the Drain
If your drain is rusty, smelly, or leaking, replacing it may be time for replacement. Replacing drains is an excellent DIY project and many homeowners can tackle it without needing professional plumber services – in fact it is one of the easier plumbing tasks an average homeowner can tackle themselves!
Before beginning, be sure to turn off the water supply shutoff valves under your sink. This will prevent accidental activation of your faucet during work and risk a potential leak.
Before beginning work on your sink, be sure to clear away any clutter from beneath it, including clearing out the cabinet beneath your sink. Depending on the drain type you choose, you may also require removal of cabinet doors in order to gain easier access to its stopper mechanism.
Once you have installed a new drain, it is time to inspect it for damage and clean out its pipe. Once the pipe has been thoroughly cleared of debris and clean water, reassembly of its parts can begin.
First, remove the P-trap from your drain assembly. This looping configuration that resembles an upside-down “P” holds small amounts of water designed to seal drain openings and prevent gas buildup from rising through your plumbing system into your home.
Unscrew both nuts from the P-trap using pliers to disconnect it from its drain line and remove its tail pipe which should be attached at the base of your sink.
Next, disconnect the clevis and pivot rod from the drain assembly. The clevis connects the drain to the faucet behind it while pivot rod controls its stopper.
Step two is to install your new drain trap assembly. This step should be straightforward and you should be able to find all necessary parts at any plumbing or hardware store.
Purchase a drain kit that includes all the components for a thorough installation process. These kits typically include drain bends and trap arms as well as tailpiece extensions that connect directly with wall branch drain openings.
