How to remove drain stopper from kitchen sink

Introduction of How to Remove Drain Stopper from Kitchen Sink

Removing the drain stopper from your kitchen sink is one of those tasks that seems simple enough, until you actually try to do it. You stick your hand down the drain to pop up the stopper, only to find it stuck in place. Or you attempt to unscrew the drain flange holding the stopper and can’t get it to budge. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Kitchen sink stoppers can get stuck or stripped over time, making them extremely difficult to remove without the right tools and techniques.

This article will walk you through the process of removing common types of sink stoppers, from lift-and-turn models to continuous waste stoppers. You’ll learn the right tools to have on hand, tips for getting stuck stoppers unstuck, and steps for safely installing a new stopper. We’ll also cover maintenance tips to prevent drain clogs and keep things flowing smoothly. Let’s dive in!

An Overview of Removing Different Kitchen Sink Stoppers

Kitchen sinks come equipped with a variety of drain stopper designs that control water flow down the drain. Being familiar with the most common styles—lift-and-turn, push-pull, continuous waste, and pop-up stoppers—and knowing how to remove them is invaluable home maintenance knowledge.

If water is draining slowly or your stopper mechanism is broken, removing the stopper is the first step in diagnosing and fixing the problem. While you can always call a plumber, removing and replacing a stopper is usually a quick, inexpensive DIY project. Doing it yourself means you can clean the stopper thoroughly and inspect for clogs or damage, potentially avoiding more extensive repairs down the road.

Why Learn How to Remove a Sink Stopper?

Before we dig into the specifics, let’s review a few reasons why removing and maintaining sink stoppers should be part of your general home care routine:

• Allows access for thorough drain cleaning: Removing the stopper provides direct access to the drainpipe so you can clean out hair, grime, and debris buildup. Regular cleaning helps prevent clogged drains.
• Inspection for damage: Taking the stopper out lets you inspect for cracks, corrosion, and wear and tear. Catching damage early allows you to replace worn parts before leaks or bigger problems occur.
• Fixing clogs: If you have a clogged sink that isn’t draining, removing the stopper is necessary to clear blockages or obstructions lodged deeper in the pipe.
• Replacing broken stoppers: Over time, the screws, lift rods, and hinges on sink stoppers wear out. Taking out the stopper allows you to install a new one.

Now that you know why it’s important, let’s look at how to remove the most common kitchen sink stopper types.

Types of Sink Drain Stoppers

Lift-and-Turn Stoppers

Lift-and-turn stoppers are very common in bathroom and kitchen sinks. They consist of a horizontal pivot rod attached to a vertical lifting rod. Turning the horizontal rod perpendicular to the drain opening allows it to drop down and seal off flow. Turning it parallel pulls the stopper up and out of the drain.

To remove a lift-and-turn stopper:

1. Confirm it’s a lift-and-turn stopper: Look for the horizontal pivot rod inside the drain and vertical lifting rod attached outside the sink.
2. Locate the control lever: Follow the vertical lifting rod up from the sink drain to locate the attached control lever. It’s often tucked away under the sink or cabinet.
3. Lift and turn: Push down on the control lever to engage the stopper in the sealed position. Then turn the lever counterclockwise to release tension and lift the stopper up and out of the drain.

If the stopper rod and control lever spin freely without engaging, the connecting mechanism may be damaged or disconnected. You may need to unscrew the pivot rod from the drain flange to fully remove the stopper. Use pliers to grip and turn the rod until freed.

Push-and-Pull Stoppers

As the name implies, push-and-pull sink stoppers operate by pushing down or pulling up on a stopper head attached to the end of a spring-loaded rod. The rod slides vertically within a casing that’s mounted into the sink drain opening.

To remove a push-and-pull stopper:

1. Confirm it’s a push-and-pull design: Look for a circular disk or stopper head attached to a metal rod that moves up and down.
2. Locate the control button: Follow the rod up from the drain to find the attached button on the sink deck or wall under the countertop.
3. Push and hold: Press down and hold the control button to release tension on the stopper head so you can pull it up and out of the drain opening.

If the stopper rod pulls up but won’t stay up, the spring mechanism may be compromised. You’ll need to fully extract the rod and replace the spring. Rotate and lift the control button off to access the rod casing.

Continuous Waste Stoppers

Unlike other designs, continuous waste stoppers don’t fully seal off the sink drain. They use a perforated stopper held in place over the drain by an attached control rod. Lifting up on the rod raises the stopper to allow more water flow.

To remove a continuous waste stopper:

1. Confirm it’s a continuous waste design: Identify the perforated stopper held in place with a control rod.
2. Locate the control knob: Follow the rod to find the knob installed on the sink deck or wall.
3. Lift and pull: Raise the control knob to lift the stopper as high as it will go, then pull the stopper up and out of the drain opening.

The stopper may get stuck if too much hair or debris accumulates underneath it. Remove built-up gunk before pulling the stopper free.

Pop-Up Stoppers

Pop-up stoppers seal off the sink drain with a rubber gasket on the end of a linkage assembly. A spring or lever mechanism allows the stopper to “pop up” out of the drain when not in use.

To remove a pop-up stopper:

1. Confirm it’s a pop-up design: Identify the spring-loaded pop-up rod inside the drain hole.
2. Locate the control lever: Follow the rod linkage to the horizontal control lever attached under the sink.
3. Release and lift: Push down and hold the lever to disengage the pop-up mechanism. Then lift the stopper up and out of the drain.

Pop-up assemblies tend to wear out over time. If the linkage detaches from the stopper, the drain flange will need to be unscrewed to access and replace the whole assembly.

Tools and Supplies You’ll Need

Removing most sink stoppers only requires a few basic tools and supplies:

• Flashlight – Illuminates the underside of the sink so you can see what you’re doing.
• Rag – For wiping away grime, hair and catching drips.
• Small bucket – Catches water still in the sink trap as you remove stoppers.
• Needle-nose pliers – Grips and turns stuck pivot rods or control levers.
• Screwdriver – Loosens screw-mounted knobs or escutcheon plates.
• Basin wrench – Fits in tight spaces between the sink and wall. Required for removing some pop-up assemblies.
• Garbage disposal wrench – Fits around the outside of the drain flange nut to unscrew it.
• Replacement washers or gaskets – As these often need replacing when removing the stopper.

For stuck assemblies that won’t budge, you may also need penetrating oil or a drill with hex wrench bits to remove stripped screws. We’ll cover some of these troublesome scenarios later on.

Preparing the Sink to Remove the Stopper

Before jumping in to pry out your sink stopper, take a minute to prepare:

Turn Off Water Supply and Drain Remaining Water

Shut off the hot and cold water valves under the sink so you don’t end up with water spraying everywhere as you work to remove the stopper. Be sure to have a small bucket ready to catch any water still left in the sink trap as you extract the stopper.

Inspect Stopper Type and Condition

Get acquainted with the stopper style based on the descriptions earlier. Try operating the stopper a few times to see how it functions normally before attempting removal. Also note any corrosion or damage that could complicate removal.

Gather Necessary Tools

Collect any tools on the list above you anticipate needing to remove the specific stopper in your sink. It’s better to assemble everything upfront rather than finding yourself stuck mid-removal without the right gear.

Protect the Sink Finish

Place a clean rag in the bottom of the sink to avoid scratching the finish as you work on the stopper and drain. Be mindful not to set tools directly on a stainless steel or porcelain sink which could chip the finish.

Okay, your sink is prepped and you’ve got the right tools at hand. It’s go time! Let’s walk through the process to conquer stuck stoppers.

Troubleshooting Tricky Stopper Removal

Stoppers that have been in place for years understandably don’t want to release their grip. Before forcing things, try these tips to gently persuade stuck parts to loosen up:

Soak with Penetrating Oil

Penetrating oil can work wonders to free up rusted or corroded stopper components. Apply a generous amount around stuck pivot rods, control levers, or retaining nuts and let it soak for 10-15 minutes. The oil seeps into crevices to loosen up stuck parts. Repeat applications if needed until the parts operate freely.

Try Turning the Stopper Upside Down

Turning stuck lift-and-turn or continuous waste stoppers upside down is an old plumber’s trick to free them up. Hair and grime tend to accumulate on the underside of the stopper, which can wedge it into place. Flipping it over allows you to clean and pry free the stuck areas and remove it more easily.

Drill Out Stripped Screws

Corroded drain flange or control lever retaining screws often strip or snap off when trying to unscrew them. Use a drill with a screw extractor bit to grind down the stubborn screw’s head and back it out. Replace stripped screws with new stainless steel hardware less prone to rusting.

Cut Away Excess Hair Buildup

Especially with pop-ups and continuous waste stoppers, excess hair and soap scum accumulating under the stopper can practically glue it in place. Use needle-nose pliers to rip away large clumps of gunk so the stopper pulls free.

Bend the Pop-Up Rod

If the pop-up rod doesn’t want to detach from a stuck stopper, gently bend the rod at a 45 degree angle. This helps “walk” the rod up and out of its hole. Straighten it back out to reattach later.

Loosen Nut Inside Sink Cabinet

Some difficult pop-up assemblies have a retaining nut that must be loosened inside the sink cabinet before the drain flange unscrews. Use a basin wrench to reach up and turn the nut until the flange is free.

Expertise and elbow grease goes a long way for removing most stuck sink stoppers. But if all else fails…

When to Call In a Plumber

While DIY removal is ideal, don’t risk damaging your sink or pipes trying to muscle off a truly stuck stopper. Signs it’s time to call a pro include:

• You stripped the drain flange slot trying to unscrew the pipe.
• The pivot rod snapped off inside the drain.
• Stopper components cracked or broke apart.
• Significant corrosion and mineral buildup has “welded” parts together.

A professional plumber has specialty tools like extracting forceps to remove broken rods or mineral-encrusted stoppers you can’t budge. They can also access pipes from below to push stoppers up from underneath. Paying for pro help is worthwhile to avoid a bigger headache down the road.

Installing a New Sink Stopper

Once you’ve removed the old stopper, take a minute to clean hair, gunk, and grime out of the drain opening and pipe before installing a new one. Make sure to shut off the water supply valves first!

When selecting a replacement stopper, match “like-for-like” style and size. For pop-ups and lift-and-turn models, match the control lever style for proper operation. Ensure any screws, washers, and gaskets included are stainless steel. Lubricating joints and gaskets with plumber’s grease ensures smooth operation.

Take care to align parts correctly and hand tighten connections only. Don’t over-torque or you’ll be right back to stuck and stubborn territory down the road. Always test for leaks after installing the new stopper and get replacement washers if needed to prevent drips.

Maintaining Your Sink Drains

Prevention is the best medicine when it comes to keeping your sink stoppers functioning properly over the long haul. Here are pro tips for maintenance:

• Remove and clean stoppers every 1-2 months using either equal parts vinegar and baking soda for homemade cleaner or commercial drain cleaner gel to remove residue and buildup.
• Install drain screens and catching strainers to prevent hair and debris from accumulating in drains and pipes.
• Pour boiling water down the drain weekly to melt accumulated grease and keep things flowing freely.
• Use a bent wire drain snake monthly to remove hair or debris clogs before they get bad.
• Avoid pouring fats or harsh chemicals down the drain that can solidify or corrode pipes.

Conclusion

Removing a kitchen sink stopper doesn’t have to be a dreaded chore or confuse you with multiple complex mechanisms. Equipping yourself with the right tools and techniques for the job will have you pulling out stoppers in no time! Just be sure to prep your sink correctly, troubleshoot stuck components, and call in a pro if needed to avoid plumbing disaster.

Regularly maintaining sink stoppers, screens and pipes will keep your kitchen drain flowing smoothly for years to come. But should you need to remove a stopper, this guide gives you the knowledge and confidence to handle it like a pro.