How to Replace a Bathroom Sink Stopper

Replacing a bathroom sink stopper can be challenging for some. If you are one of those who are having a hard time replacing a bathroom sink stopper, you need to look into some essential tips to make this task a little bit easier.

Thus, you have to prepare the materials to make things work just the way you wanted it to be. So first, you need to go to the store to purchase a replacement stopper. For this reason, you need to look for pop-up assembly. This comes with a linkage and lift rod. Basically, you can purchase the linkage rod and stopper individually without getting the whole assembly.

You also need to have a slip joint pliers, an adjustable wrench and a screwdriver. Prepare a sealant as well or a plumber’s putty will do. At some point, a silicone sealant is also effective for this type of project.

1. Disconnecting the Lifting Rod Assembly

You should pinch together both ends of a C-shaped retainer clip before you can slide off the linkage rod’s end.

2. Loosen the Popup Assembly Retainer Unit

Take note that the old popup assembly is made of metal with a brass retaining nut below the sink. So you need to loosen it with the pliers.

3. Removing the Finished Flange

Upon letting loose of the popup assembly you can begin to rock it back and forth to ease it from the old sealant below the finished flange at the bottom. Then use the pair of pliers to push up the popup assembly and then grab the finished flange.

4. Old Metal Flange

The popup assembly body usually contains an old metal finished flange. However, the new chrome-plated plastic is outside of the assembly. So the diameter of the new finished flange could be too big to be slipped into the hole in the bathroom sink. If you can find one that has a plastic ring molding at the bottom of the sink then you are in luck.

5. Applying Sealant on the Flange

If possible, apply just a bead of sealant surrounding the finished flange that should contact the sink. You can press it down the sink and into the hole. Simply make sure that there is enough sealant to fill air pockets and gaps. If you will need more sealants, you can always add for more. However, you must clean excess sealant afterwards.

6. Tightening the Body Nut

Don’t forget to tighten the nut found at the body of the popup assembly. The plastic one is able to sufficiently tighten using fingers instead of pliers. But you need to tighten the body nut as tightly as you possibly can.

7. Loading Linkage Into Retainer Nut

Determine the linkage and slide it into the nut. This metal nut has a thin washer mounted in the nut and it can be pushed out. So, you need to be careful not to make leaks because if the washer will be pushed out, it will be a lot harder to make the nut hold the ball.

Ensure that you know how to assemble the unit by following manufacturers’ instructions. This might be varied from one brand to another, but you can always look into it in accordance with the item at your possession.

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