How often do you get a clogged toilet or a leaky faucet? If you’re anything like me, you probably don’t want to deal with these problems too often.
That’s why I’m sharing my top tips for fixing common plumbing issues.
When you hear the word “plumbing”, you might imagine something complicated and expensive. In reality, though, it’s much simpler than you think.
Plumbing is mostly concerned with water supply and drainage systems. The two main parts of a plumbing system are pipes and fixtures.
Pipes carry water from place to place, while fixtures are where you use the water.
Plumbing isn’t rocket science, but it does require some knowledge and experience. Here are some basic things you should know before tackling a plumbing issue.
First, make sure that the problem doesn’t have any serious consequences of calling your local emergency plumber right away.
Next, check whether there is an easy fix for the problem. For example, if you notice a slow leak, you can easily repair it yourself by using a bucket and mop.
However, if the pipe has burst, then you need to call a professional immediately.
Keep on reading to find out more.
Types Of Bathroom Drains
There are many types of bathroom drains available on the market today. Some of them are more efficient at removing hair and debris than others.
To help you choose which type of drain will be best for your home, we’ve put together this quick guide to the different types of bathroom drains.
The most common type of bathtub drain (see also ‘Plumbers Putty or Silicone To Seal A Bathtub Drain?’) is a trap-style tub/shower drain.
This style of drain features a small hole in the bottom of the tub that connects to a larger downpipe (also called a riser).
A screen filter keeps sediment out of the drain. Trap-style tub/showers are usually installed under the tub or shower base.
Another popular type of sink drain is the pop-up drain. These drains work similarly to trap-style drains; however, they also feature a built-in flapper valve.
Pop-up drains are typically installed inside the countertop surrounding the sink. They’re connected to the sink’s waste line via a flexible hose.
When the sink is filled with water, the water pressure pushes up against the flapper valve, causing it to open and release the water into the drain.
Finally, there’s also the straight through drain.
Straight through drains are similar to trap-style drains, except they connect directly to the sewer line instead of connecting to a separate riser.
Straight through drains are commonly used when installing new sinks because they provide a clean look without having to cut into the existing sink
There are other kinds of bathroom drains as well.
For instance, some bathrooms have a combination tub/shower drain, which combines both a trap-style tub and a shower drain (see also ‘How To Clear Your Clogged Shower Drain‘).
Other bathrooms may have a pedestal sink drain, which is basically a large basin that sits over the toilet bowl.
Finally, some homes have a double vanity setup, which means that each side of the sink has its own drain.
If you’re looking for a specific kind of drain, like a pedestal sink drain or a combo tub/shower drain or even a double vanity drain, it’s important to understand how these components fit together.
You’ll want to find a drain that matches the size and shape of the space it’s being installed in.
For example, if your sink is too big for the surrounding area, you might consider replacing it entirely with a pedestal sink.
On the other hand, if the sink is too small, you could try adding a second one.
The same goes for the tub and shower. If the tub is too big, you could replace it with a bigger model.
Likewise, if the tub is too small, you can install a smaller model. It’s important to note that not all tubs and showers are created equal.
Your local hardware store should be able to give you an idea of what size tub and shower you need based on the size of your current ones.
How To Install A Bathroom Sink
Drain
The first step in replacing a bathroom sink drain is to remove the old one.
While you can do this by yourself, it’s much easier to hire someone who knows what they’re doing.
Before removing the old drain, make sure that you’ve disconnected the supply lines from the faucet.
Also disconnect any electrical wires so that you don’t get shocked while working around them.
Remove The Old Drain
Once you’ve removed the old drain, you’ll want to take care of the mess before moving forward. First, empty out the sink and let it dry completely.
Then, use a wet rag to wipe down the sink walls and floor. After cleaning everything off, pour about 1 cup of baking soda into the sink.
Let it sit overnight, then scrub away the residue using a brush and warm water.
Clean Out The Trap
To prepare the trap for installation, you’ll need to remove the overflow pipe. This allows you to access the trap itself.
Remove the overflow pipe by unscrewing it from the wall. Next, remove the cover plate that covers the trap. With the trap exposed, you can now begin to clean it out.
Use a stiff wire brush to loosen any debris inside the trap. Make sure that you keep the trap open at least 6 inches wide so that you can reach the entire length of the trap.
Install The New Drain
Now that you’ve cleaned out the trap, you can start installing the new drain. Start by screwing the overflow pipe back onto the wall.
Next, put the cover plate back on top of the trap. Screw the cover plate into place.
Then, insert the new drain into the trap. Be careful when inserting the drain because you don’t want to damage the trap.
When you’re done, tighten the screws holding the cover plate into place until they’re snug.
Connect The Supply Lines
Now that the drain is in place, you can reconnect the supply lines. To do this, simply connect the hot and cold supply lines to the appropriate holes in the wall.
Once you’ve finished connecting the supply lines, turn on the water to test the connection. If there’s no problem, you’re ready to move on to the next step.
Replace The Faucets
If you have two-handle sinks, you’ll also need to replace the faucets. Simply remove the handles from each side of the sink and pull them out.
Now, remove the old faucets from the sink. You can either discard these or save them for later use.
Next, remove the mounting plates from the sink. These are usually located under the sink flange. Take care not to lose these as well.
Next, remove the washers that hold the bolts in place. Again, be careful not to lose these.
Finally, undo the nuts that hold the sink flange in place. Pull the sink away from the countertop and slide it up and over the countertop.
Attach The Washer Flange
The last thing you should do before attaching the sink to the countertop is attach the washer flange.
Attach the washer flange by tightening the nut against the underside of the sink flange. It may help to use a wrench to assist with this process.
Seal The Countertop
Before you can install your new sink (see also ‘How to Caulk a Kitchen Sink‘), you’ll need to seal the countertop around the edges of the sink. The easiest way to do this is to use caulk.
Apply a bead of caulk along the edge of the countertop where the sink sits. Smooth out the caulk with your finger.
Leave enough room between the sink and the countertop so that you won’t get any drips.
Installing The Sink
Once the caulk has dried, you can install the sink. Slide the sink into position on the countertop.
Then, align the sink so that the drain hole faces downward. Finally, tighten the sink down using the provided screws.
How To Remove Bathroom Drain
Your drain needs to be cleaned every year. You should use a brush or a sponge to remove any debris that may accumulate inside your sink.
When you do this, make sure that you avoid using harsh chemicals. Don’t forget to check if there is anything stuck in your drainpipe.
Also, make sure that you don’t put too much pressure when flushing water down the pipe. This can cause damage to your pipes.
To remove the bathroom drain and replace it, follow the steps below:
Remove The Trap Cover
First, unscrew the trap cover. Make sure that you don’t lose this part. After removing the trap cover, you will see a section of pipe sticking out of the bottom of the sink.
Use pliers to grab this pipe and pull it out. Next, remove the rubber gasket that covers the opening.
Remove The Pipe
After you have removed the pipe, you can now take off the remaining parts. Start by taking off the overflow tube.
Then, remove the ring that holds the pipe in place. Finally, remove the screw that secures the pipe to the sink.
Clean The Drain
After you have removed all the parts, it’s time to clean the drain. First, pour some hot water into the sink.
Then, run the water through the drain until no more dirty water comes out. Once you have finished cleaning the drain, you can then reattach the pieces.
Tips For Replacing A Sink In Your Home
If you want to save money while replacing your sink, consider buying an already installed one.
Many stores offer them for sale at discounted prices. If you decide to buy an existing sink, make sure that it matches your style.
If you are planning to replace your current kitchen sink (see also ‘How To Unclog Your Kitchen Sink‘), consider installing a double-bowl sink.
Double sinks come with two basins instead of just one. They also allow you to keep dishes separate from each other.
Final Thoughts
Replacing a sink is not as difficult as many people think. All you need to know how to do is find a good deal on a replacement sink and follow the instructions above.
Thanks for reading!
