Most people have experienced a clogged sink at some point in their life. Initially, the water may take some time before it starts to drain, only to get progressively worse, and, eventually, stop draining completely. You never want to be in a position where your skin fills up with water and doesn’t drain at all. If you’re experiencing something similar, your best bet is to remove the sink stopper and unblock the drain pipe.
The good news is that it isn’t an uncomplicated task, and you can do it easily without needing to call a plumber for it. You will require a few tools, and we will share how you can remove the bathroom sink stopper and unclog your drain right here.
Tools You Will Need to Remove the Bathroom Sink Stopper
Before you can begin removing the bathroom sink stopper, you will need to use some basic tools and items for the job. These include the following:
- Pliers or Wrench
Depending on how tightly fastened it is, you will need some pliers or a wrench to loosen the nut.
- Flashlight
You will need a regular flashlight so that you can see what you’re doing underneath the sink.
- Brush
It’s not required to remove the sink stopper. However, you will need it to clean the drain.
- Regular detergent
You will need some regular detergent to clean the sink stopper and the rest of the sink.
- Vinegar
You can clean the sink stopper with some vinegar and even pour it down the drain to unclog it.
- Bucket
A bucket can be useful for keeping under the sink if it leaks when you remove the nut.
- Hair clog removing tool
Once you have removed the sink stopper, you can use the hair clog removal tool to pull out any gunk or hair that has blocked the sink.
- Drain Cleaner Liquid
Last but not least, you can use drain cleaner liquid. Pour it down the drain and clean the pipes before you place everything back once again.
Guide on How to Remove a Bathroom Sink Stopper
Once you’ve got all the tools, you need to remove a bathroom sink stopper and get ready. Here are the steps you need to follow:
1. Remove the Stopper by Hand
You can remove the stopper by hand easily without needing to use any pliers or a wrench. All you need to do is lift the stopper and turn it. That’s all you need to do. However, you should use the tools to remove the stopper if it is stuck.
2. Clear Out Items Under the Sink
If removing the stopper by hand isn’t possible, you will need to go under the sink to release it from there. Ensure that you have removed everything under the sink before you start working. It doesn’t take much time, and you will have enough room to maneuver comfortably.
3. Find the Horizontal Plunger Rod
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Put your head under the sink and turn on the flashlight to find the horizontal plunger rod connecting the strap to the stopper. It’s not difficult to identify as it’s a rod connected to the vertical strap, a piece of metal with holes in it.
4. Search for the Clip that Attaches the Strap and the Rod
You will notice that the metal strap and the rod connected to it are fixed together with a small metal clip. You need to remove the clip so that the strap and the rod aren’t connected and keep the clip in a place where it won’t get lost.
5. Unscrew the Pivot Nut
The end of the rod you have just detached should be connected to a pivot nut, and you need to unscrew it. This is when you should place the bucket under the sink so you can catch any water that comes out when you unscrew the nut. Try loosening the nut with your hands, and if it doesn’t move, you should use your wrench or pliers to get it loose.
6. Remove the Stopper
At this point, the stopper should be free, and you can easily remove it from the sink with your hand. The stopper would likely be covered in gunk or hair if the sink was blocked, and you will need to use the vinegar to clean the stopper and get the gunk off it. Soak it in warm water, and use the brush to clean the stopper thoroughly.
7. Use the Hair Remover to Remove the Hair
Now that the stopper has been removed, you should use the hair remover and remove any hair and gunk blocking the sinkhole. You shouldn’t face any difficulties in removing the clogged hair and the gunk from the sink.
8. Pour the Drain-Cleaning Product Down the Hole
Before putting the sink stopper back in its place, you should pour the drain-cleaning liquid down the hole to thoroughly clean the drain pipe. There are clear instructions on the drain cleaning product, and all you need to do is follow them. Leave it there for at least 10 minutes, and then pour hot water down the drain to flush it all out. The water should be flowing easily now, which means that the blocked drain has been successfully unclogged.
9. Place Everything Back Together
After you have cleaned everything and unblocked the drain, it’s time that you put everything back together with the way it was. All you need to do is follow the steps in reverse order. Put the sink stopper back in the hole first, go underneath the sink and screw the nut back in its place, and tighten it with the pliers or the wrench.
Reattach the rod to the strap once the nut has been tightened and use the clip you removed. Once you have done this, check that the stopper is working properly. If it is moving up and down easily, you have fitted everything back perfectly.
Our Final Thoughts
Calling a plumber can be expensive, regardless of the job that they are required to do. The good news is that most jobs are easy and can be done by yourself. We hope that this guide on how to remove a bathroom sink stopper has provided you with all the information you need to do it yourself.
