Repair A Bathroom Sink Drain In A House

Repair the bathroom sink drain in your house if it leaks.

Before you call the plumber to repair a bathroom sink drain in your house, give it a shot yourself. Sink drains are fairly uncomplicated. The drain flange in the bottom of your sink connects to a straight piece of plumbing called a tail piece. This tail piece then connects to a curved portion of plumbing called the p-trap. By removing these parts, examining them and putting them back together, you can spot and repair most leaks or other problems that you might have with a bathroom sink.

Instructions

1. Place a gallon sized bucket underneath the bathroom sink drain.

2. Loosen the couplings on either side of the p-trap with a pair of pliers for metal pipes or with your hands for PVC pipes. Slide the couplings away from the p-trap connections. Pull the p-trap carefully out of the drain plumbing. Empty out the water inside into the bucket.

3. Unscrew the jamb nut. This is the large nut located just underneath the drain. Slide the nut off the tail piece, followed by any rubber washers. Examine the rubber washers. Purchase new ones if the old ones are torn or worn out. Unscrew the tail piece by turning counterclockwise.

4. Tap on the underside of the sink flange with a rubber mallet until it pops out in the sink above.

5. Clean around the drain opening in the sink. Scrape away any old caulk or plumber's putty with the putty knife, taking care not to scratch the sink. Use a bathroom cleaner to remove any mold or mildew. Do the same for the drain flange. Dry the sink and the flange with the rag.

6. Insert the silicone caulk into the caulk gun. Use the scissors to trim off the end at the 1/4 inch mark. Apply a bead of silicone caulk to the underside of the flange. Turn the flange right side up and insert into the sink opening. Turn the flange as you press it into the opening to distribute the silicone caulk. Allow the caulk approximately 30 minutes to dry.

7. Insert the tail piece into the underside of the flange. Screw in clockwise to tighten. Slide the jamb nut washers over the end of the tail piece. Follow with the jamb nut. Tighten the jamb nut with the pliers.

8. Clean off the threads on the end of the tail piece and the sewer inlet pipe in the wall with the steel wool. Wrap the threads on both pipes with plumber's tape. Make at least one complete turn around the threads. Trim off any excess.

9. Insert the p-trap into the sink drain. Tighten the couplings.

Tags: tail piece, bathroom sink, bathroom sink drain, silicone caulk, drain flange, drain your, drain your house