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Home » pliers » Replacing a Sink Drain

Replacing a Sink Drain

March 20, 2015 Brittany Bailey 13 Comments

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How to Replace a Sink Drain | Pretty Handy Girl

Have you ever needed to know How to Replace a Sink Drain? Or maybe in the past you hired a plumber. Well, I’m here today to tell you that it’s not a hard project and I know you can do it!

I think the plumbing Gods smiled down on me recently. After the little leak that turned into a major kitchen renovation, finding this crack in the drain pipe saved us from another costly leak.

How to Replace a Sink Drain | Pretty Handy Girl

I don’t normally inspect the drain pipes on our sinks, but I just happen to be looking for something under my sons’ sink when I noticed the crack on the drain pipe. Remarkably, there were no drips in the vanity. Before I could grab a new drain assembly, I gently hinted to the family that they might want to use another sink in the house. (I’m subtle, aren’t I.)

How to Replace a Sink Drain | Pretty Handy Girl

Replacing a Sink Drain Materials:

(contains affiliate links)

How to Replace a Sink Drain | Pretty Handy Girl

  • Sink Drain AssemblyReplacing a Sink Drain
  • Plumbing pliersReplacing a Sink Drain
  • Flat head screwdriverReplacing a Sink Drain
    (only necessary if you need more torque to get the old drain out)
  • Plumber’s teflon tapeReplacing a Sink Drain
  • Plumber’s PuttyReplacing a Sink Drain (some drain assemblies require this around the flange)
  • BasinReplacing a Sink Drain
  • Towel
  • ScissorReplacing a Sink Drain
  • Wet wipes

Replacing a Sink Drain Instructions:

Lay out a towel under your sink to catch any drips and to cushion your work area.

Reach behind your drain and unscrew the cap around the pop-up ball and rod. Remove them from the drain. (FYI, if you ever have a broken pop-up, you can fix your pop-up stopper with this tutorial.)

How to Replace a Sink Drain | Pretty Handy Girl

Remove the stopper from the drain.

How to Replace a Sink Drain | Pretty Handy Girl

Look under the sink and locate the P-trap. Loosen the slip nuts from the p-trap near the wall and on the drain. (For more details, you can see this tutorial for removing the p-trap.)

How to Replace a Sink Drain | Pretty Handy Girl

Pull the P-Trap down to release it from the drain. Dump any excess water and gunk into a basin.

How to Replace a Sink Drain | Pretty Handy Girl

The tailpiece on my drain assembly was plastic and just crumbled in my hand (that’s why it looks like I skipped ahead.)

Use your pliers to loosen the nut on the drain and remove it. If the nut is stuck, spray a little WD-40 on it and wait about 10-15 minutes.

How to Replace a Sink Drain | Pretty Handy Girl

Pull the rubber gasket from the bottom of the drain.

How to Replace a Sink Drain | Pretty Handy Girl

Reach on top into the sink and lift up the drain flange.

How to Replace a Sink Drain | Pretty Handy Girl

Preparing the new drain:

Remove the new drain assembly from the package.

How to Replace a Sink Drain | Pretty Handy Girl

Apply teflon tape to every threaded section of the drain assembly:

How to Replace a Sink Drain | Pretty Handy Girl

Around the tailpiece (top and anywhere else you see threads.)

How to Replace a Sink Drain | Pretty Handy Girl

Around the Pop-up Ball & Rod seat.

How to Replace a Sink Drain | Pretty Handy Girl

Around the P-trap.

Remove the 1) stopper and 2) flange collar.

How to Replace a Sink Drain | Pretty Handy Girl

Slide the slip nut and washer from the p-trap onto the drain tailpipe.

How to Replace a Sink Drain | Pretty Handy Girl

Insert the flange collar into the top of the sink (I didn’t use plumbers putty under the flange because there was a gasket that fit under the collar, but your directions may call for plumber’s putty. Be sure to follow the directions for your specific drain installation.) The rest of the drain assembly is inserted into the sink through the bottom.

How to Replace a Sink Drain | Pretty Handy Girl

Tighten the nut on the underside until the gasket begins to spread and the drain assembly is snug in the sink.

How to Replace a Sink Drain | Pretty Handy Girl

Slide the p-trap onto the tailpiece of the drain.

How to Replace a Sink Drain | Pretty Handy Girl

Fit the back of the p-trap into the waste pipe going into the wall. Tighten both slip nuts with your hands.

How to Replace a Sink Drain | Pretty Handy Girl

I normally turn all nuts an additional 1/4 – 1/2 turn with pliers because I’m not a strong hand tightener.

How to Replace a Sink Drain | Pretty Handy Girl

Follow my instructions for re-installing the stopper if you need help getting it seated properly.

Run the water and look underneath for leaks. Fill the sink basin full and let it sit for a minute.

How to Replace a Sink Drain | Pretty Handy Girl

Check underneath for any signs of water. Tighten the nut if you do see any drips. Make sure you have enough teflon tape on the threads.

How to Replace a Sink Drain | Pretty Handy Girl

Your sink should be ready for use now!

How to Replace a Sink Drain | Pretty Handy Girl

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Yes, you can replace a sink drain with this easy-to-follow tutorial from Pretty Handy Girl! | DIY plumbing tutorial #prettyhandygirl #plumbingfixes #DIYtutorial

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Comments

  1. Susan F says

    October 16, 2020 at 12:22 am

    I need to replace a rotted out bar sink drain. How do I know what diameter to choose? Is the diameter on the replacement drain measured by the overall dimension from outside lip to outside lip or just the diameter of the opening itself? I can’t find this anywhere! Thank you-
    Susan

    Reply
    • Brittany Bailey says

      October 19, 2020 at 10:50 am

      Typically they are measured from the exterior diameter. But, check with your local plumbing supply shop.

      Reply
  2. Cyndi says

    December 4, 2019 at 12:34 pm

    How do you do this on a bathtub drain when you do not have access to the bottom side of the tub?

    Reply
    • Brittany Bailey says

      January 9, 2020 at 12:38 pm

      You need a bathtub key or wrench. See how here: https://www.instructables.com/id/Replacing-Bath-Tub-Drain/

      Reply
  3. Bill says

    March 1, 2019 at 5:02 pm

    To be clear, pipe tape is used on tapered pipe fittings to create the seal, which is not the case here. Compression fittings don’t use it, though in this case it will act as a lubricant on the threads and make it easier to tighten. If you have leak in the joint, check the compression seal.

    Reply
  4. Lily says

    June 6, 2018 at 11:00 pm

    Thank you for your clear instructions and pictures. Totally appreciate it.

    Reply
  5. Jeannie says

    February 19, 2018 at 4:00 am

    I have a similar issue but its my bathtub drain thats leaking! I have some water stains that have managed to make their way to my kitchen below. I think that’s may be more complicated and needs a plumber. Unless you have some genius tips for me??

    Reply
  6. Hannah says

    March 21, 2015 at 9:28 pm

    Great information, but umm, I think I would have to hire that job done! Lol

    Reply
  7. Elizabeth at Pineapples and Polka Dots says

    March 21, 2015 at 8:42 pm

    I’m glad you were able to fix it before there was an issue. Thanks for the great step by step directions and photos!

    Reply
  8. Colleen Taylor says

    March 21, 2015 at 8:11 pm

    Were you every lucky to spot that crack Brittany! Great tutorial, I’ll need this one & thank you!

    Reply
  9. A. Jondo says

    March 21, 2015 at 5:29 am

    If you fill the sink with hot water at high as it will go the heat will expand the pipes and loosen them, and the depth will provide the highest pressure possible. This tests the tightness of the joints as well as possible.

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Brittany aka Pretty Handy Girl. I like the smell of coffee and sawdust in the morning. I live to break stereotypes and empower you to take on your own DIY project.

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