Installing a bathroom faucet drain and trap may technically qualify as plumbing, but it is such a simple job that anyone can do it. You can save hundreds of dollars by simply doing this yourself instead of calling on the services of a professional plumber.
Kits are available at most major home improvement stores that provide you with all of the parts needed to install these fittings. Those kits are inexpensive, generally costing between $8 and $15 each. The only tool required for this job is a pair of plumbing pliers.
It is important that a drain and trap are installed properly. The purpose of the trap is to hold small amounts of water at all times that keep smelly sewer gases from entering the home. The lack of a fully functioning trap would not only smell bad, it could also be a safety hazard.
Instructions
1. Prepare the sink to receive the drain and trap. If this is being installed as a replacement for older parts, remove the old drain and trap by loosening the nuts on either end of the trap with a pair of plumbing pliers, then pulling it out of place. The trap will contain water, so place a bucket under the drain to catch any liquid that pours out. Finally, loosen the drain pipe by turning it counter-clockwise by hand, and pull it away from the sink.
2. Install the drain pipe from the drain and trap kit. Simply line it up with the hole in the bottom of the sink, and rotate it clockwise by hand until it is entirely secured into place. Tightening it as far as possible by hand is adequate. Attempting to turn it further using pliers may result in breakage.
3. Fit the trap to each end of the drain pipes. There will be a metal or plastic nut that tightens around each of the pipes, resulting in a secure fitting. As before, tighten these nuts as far as possible by hand. Depending on your hand strength, you may wish to give the nuts an extra crank using the pliers to make sure you have a coupling that won't leak or come loose over time. Make sure you do not over-tighten the nut, since these pipes are relatively delicate.
4. Test the drain by turning the tap on for several minutes. Come back and observe each of the fittings. If they are leaking, or you see water droplets forming at the connections, tighten them further until the leakage stops. Otherwise, you can assume the connections are solid, and the job is finished.
Tags: , drain pipe, drain trap, pair plumbing, pair plumbing pliers, plumbing pliers, possible hand