How to fix a sink pop-up stopper

Sink stoppers in bathroom sinks commonly become stuck in the up or down position, water in the basin leaks, or the lifter moves but doesn't do anything. Sink stopper fixes are simple, require few or no materials, and use basic tools. Learn how to fix a sink stopper when it won't go up or down, leaks, or when the lifter is detached.

We have these spring loaded push button sink plugs in our house, and from time to time they stick in the closed position so you can't drain the sink. This is usually due to a build up of soap scum, mould etc yum so this is how you get them to work again --with the added bonus of cleaning the crap off of them, so they are more hygenic. Sorry some of the pics are a little blurry but I was trying to get close ups while doing the job and holding the camera -- I need a helper to take the pics!! If you can get the plug to open ie you are doing this before it is jammed in as preventative maintenance you can grip the outside with your fingers or CAREFULLY with pliers and rotate it to come off. If the plug is jammed shut the push down on the top surface while trying to rotate anticlockwise, they will usually come apart pretty easily, for extra grip try wearing a rubber glove. On your hand - silly!! I also sprayed with mould killer, washed the whole thing in very hot water and then sprayed with silicon spray.

How to fix a sink pop-up stopper

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. This helps catch any debris that should not be washed down the drain, like hair or cotton balls. However, to keep the sink drain stopper working properly, it should be removed and cleaned on a semi-regular basis. With this helpful guide, you can also find out how to put in a sink stopper replacement if your pop-up stopper is damaged beyond repair. Before you learn how to fix a sink drain stopper, first familiarize yourself with the most important parts of a sink stopper assembly. This simple step can reduce the chance of losing these parts before the sink stopper is reassembled. Additionally, when you are learning how to remove a bathroom sink stopper, keep in mind that you should avoid using force if the sink stopper is stuck. Too much pressure can damage a porcelain sink, creating a more difficult situation to resolve. Remember to wear protective gloves to help avoid personal injury when working with sharp objects. The first step of cleaning and repairing your sink stopper is to determine whether you have a traditional sink stopper assembly with a pivot rod, extension bar, and lift rod to operate the stopper, or if you have a universal pop-up stopper with an internal spring mechanism. Full sink stopper assemblies are easy to spot because they have a lift rod, which is typically located behind the faucet or between the hot and cold handles. You can pull up on the rod to close the sink stopper.

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Get the latest HomeServe news, tips, and promotional messages, including special offers. Pop-up sink stoppers are fairly simple devices. They use a system of levers and linkages that move a drain stopper up and down. When the lift rod is pulled or pushed, it moves a flat, U-shaped bar called clevis, which is in turn connected to a pivot rod that opens or closes the stopper. Sink stoppers can naturally trap a lot of debris and mildew, which causes slow drains and stopper malfunctions. And sometimes, sink stopper issues can occur when a pivot rod rusts and breaks loose from the stopper.

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How to fix a sink pop-up stopper

Last Updated: October 22, References. This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 33, times. Learn more Sink stoppers are simple but useful tools that prevent water and debris from going down the drain.

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This simple spring mechanism is easy to use and can be installed in any sink drain with the appropriate drain diameter. List of Partners vendors. If you have a universal bathroom sink stopper, simply open the existing stopper and pull up to remove it from the drain. Part 4. Tips Pivot rods missing spring U-clips will continue to work, but not very well. While sink stoppers are not considered as important as a toilet or a shower head, these parts still need to be regularly cleaned, repaired, and replaced to avoid slow sink drainage. Remove all hair and debris from the drain, too. Bend the flexible clevis strap back. Stoppers can create sink clogs if they are not regularly cleaned due to the buildup of debris. Attach the pivot rod to the clevis strip with the U-shaped spring clip. You can pull up on the rod to close the sink stopper. Featured Articles How to. Share yours!

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Clean as thoroughly as possible using wire wool, wire brush etc I also sprayed with mould killer, washed the whole thing in very hot water and then sprayed with silicon spray. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Align and place the pop-up drain stopper into the sink's drain opening. Start by removing the nut that holds the horizontal pivot rod in place. Additionally, when you are learning how to remove a bathroom sink stopper, keep in mind that you should avoid using force if the sink stopper is stuck. If necessary, scrub it down with an old toothbrush. Edit this Article. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. You can also soak your sink stopper in a mixture of sudsy water and dish soap. James Schuelke Professional Plumber. Remember to wear protective gloves to help avoid personal injury when working with sharp objects.