You might have experienced sink clogging. First, water stops draining a little bit but sometimes reaches the point where it would not drain. If this is the situation, the only solution to this problem is to remove the sink stopper. There are several techniques to remove it. In this article, we provide a comprehensive guide on how to remove sink stopper.
Easy steps to remove sink stopper
There are various methods to remove sink stoppers including pulling up and twisting. Roll up your sleeves, wear gloves on your hands and follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Remove it manually
No matter how much you love tools, try removing the sink stopper by hand depending upon the sink style.
Hold the sink stopper, lift it up and twist it gently. If you failed to rotate it in either direction, pull out your toolbox.
Step 2: Prepare Tools
The tools require for removing sink stoppers, set the following tools beside your sink:
- Wrench
- Bucket
- Flashlight
The wrench will help loosen the tight nut. The flashlight will be used to see the work you’re doing. A bucket is not essential to remove sink stopper, however, it is used in case a leak happens.
Step 3: Unclip the plunger rod
Now look for a plunger rod which is a horizontal metal rod beneath the sink. If you did not find it, punch a thin metal piece into the small holes. It will be at the bottom of the strap. Look for a metal clip at the intersection of the plunger rod and strap. Remove the clip focusing of the clip hole where it was attached to. Mark the spot with a piece of tape.
Step 4: Remove the pivot nut
Remove the pivot nut now with your hands. If you can’t remove it manually, try it out with a wrench or plier. You may need a bucket at this point, so place it under the sink already.
Step 5: Inspect, clean or replace
Now clean and inspect all the items with some cleaning products such as:
- Gloves
- Hair clog tool
- Small Brush
- Vinegar
- Detergent
- Drain Cleaner
- paper towels
Inspect the sink stopper and see if any damage is visible, replace it with a new one. If it is working properly, clean it through soap scum and other sink cleaner detergents. and install it again.
Step 6: Put the sink stopper back
After the cleansing process is over, grab your tools to fix the sink stopper back to its place. It should be ready to use.
Must Read: How To Unclog Toilet When Nothing Works
How to remove Sink Stopper With Different Types
How to remove a toe touch Sink stopper
A toe touch sink stopper can be opened and closed with the help of toe. It consists of a circular shape with a flat on its top and no knobs to turn.
Unscrew the base cylinder by turning the top cap of the stopper counterclockwise. To unscrew the base cylinder, you have to use a flathead screwdriver.
How to remove push pull sink stopper
How to remove sink stopper by pushing and pulling. This type of sink stopper can be opened and closed by pushing up and down.
Hold the knob cap in one hand and turn it counter clockwise to unscrew it. Use a cloth for better grip on the cap if you won’t be able to unscrew by hand. After removing the knob, unscrew the sink stopper by using a flathead screwdriver.
How to remove a lift and turn sink stopper
A list and turn sink stopper is similar to push and pull stopper which is opened and closed by lifting and turning the knob in counter clockwise directions.
How to do it? Hold on the stopper body in your hand and turn it in counterclockwise position and unscrew it from the stainer by the same movement. It will become difficult to remove if the post thread is stripped. Try it pulling upward. You can use a flathead, screwdriver or wrench to unscrew the sink stopper depending upon the type of it you used.
FAQs About How to Remove Sink Stopper
What are various types of sink stoppers?
Sink stoppers are available in a variety of kinds such as:
- Drain stoppers
- Level stoppers
- Strainer and stopper combination, etc.
How to remove sink stopper by yourself?
You can remove a sink stopper yourself by touching your toe, pushing and pulling, lifting and turning and poping up.
What to do after removing the sink stopper?
After removing the sink stopper, clean it by using mild detergent and a soft cloth to get rid of dirt, debris and soap scum. Rinse it with water before fixing it again in the drain. Or replace the stopper if you want to use a new one. You can buy sink stoppers from a hardware store or a plumbing supply store. Consider the same size and type while buying a new sink stopper.
Conclusion
A dirty sink stopper cannot work effectively as the soap scum, dirt and debris resists water flushing through it. How to remove sink stopper without pivot rod or any other tools or your effort provided that the screw is not too tight. This simply involves unscrewing the dirty sink stopper and putting it back with a cleaned or replaced stopper. Removing a sink stopper will make the sink water drain quickly.
Calling a plumber is expensive regardless of the work that has to be done. You can do it yourself by applying the above methods related to how to remove drain stopper and replace it.
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