How to install a bathroom sink drain (2023)

FAQs

Should I use plumbers putty on sink drain? ›

If you need to stop or prevent leaks around your faucet, sink or tub drains − plumber's putty is the product you need. Plumber's putty is a sealing staple for professionals, homeowners and DIY-ers alike.

Use a plumber's putty to seal the top side of the sink drain. Plumber's putty does not bind to surfaces. However, it plugs the contact between the metal drain flange and the porcelain. For plumbers' putty to be effective, all surfaces must be clean and dry.

The main difference between plumbers putty or silicone for sink drain is how easy the substances are to manipulate or remove. Plumbers putty is very easy to manipulate into tight areas, and it's also easier to remove. That makes silicone putty better for waterproofing, even if it's more difficult to work with.

Sealing around kitchen sinks or sealing a sink drain with silicone will keep your sink in good condition and prevent future problems. Using a high quality, waterproof sealant prevents water and debris from entering the gaps.

When it comes to fixing leaks, silicone caulk is one of the best options because it's inexpensive, easy to use, and can be found in most hardware stores.

It takes a few hours for plumber's putty to set. You can use a drain or tap immediately after installing the putty, although waiting a few hours may yield the best results. The putty will expand so might create a tighter seal.

Silicone and silicone blend caulks are most commonly used for kitchen and bath projects. They can be use around sinks, tubs and showers.

Silicone caulk is the go-to option for sealing around plumbing fixtures, such as sinks, toilets, and faucets, and for any caulk joints on the tile in wet areas.

PVC and CPVC cement actually break down the external layers of the pipe, allowing the material to literally combine. This permanently bonds PVC pipe and fittings. If you are trying to use PVC pipe to transport fluid or gas, PVC cement or special push-on fittings are necessary to assure there are no leaks.

How deep should PVC drain pipe be? ›

Dig a trench from the place in your yard that needs drainage to your chosen outlet. Check for underground utility lines and pipes before digging. The trench should be about 18 inches deep and 9 to 12 inches wide.

The most common type of pipe used for sink drains is PVC. PVC pipes are available in a variety of sizes, but the most common size is 1-1/2 inches.

Do not use plumber's putty where you need adhesive strength (to bond materials or prevent them from moving) or where you need a watertight seal in exposed areas. Follow these other tips for the best results: Plumber's putty should be pliable and easy to roll.

Next, remove any old sealant at the bottom of your drain flange with a putty knife. Make sure the depressed area around the sink drain is also clear of any built-up material. Afterwards, apply a bead of silicone caulk around the drain hole in the sink. Then, apply a second bead along the underside of the drain flange.

Thread seal tape and pipe dope are both effective pipe sealants. However, many people prefer using thread seal tape since it is cleaner to work with than traditional grease or paste-like sealants. Plumber's putty is used to form a water tight seal between the sink and the faucet and between the sink and the drain.

When it comes to replacing or repairing the drain pipes in your house, the cost can range significantly depending on the type of drain pipe, the location in your home and the labor and material costs specific to your region. You can estimate an average cost between $250 and $1,250 with the national average around $700.

How Much Does It Cost to Install a Bathroom Sink Drain? HomeGuide says the average cost to replace a drain is between $500 to $800 for a reasonably simple pipe replacement job. There are several things that can increase the cost of this, however.

The best sealant for a drop-in sink

A bead of caulk is run along the rim of the sink after installation to create a watertight seal and hold the sink in place. Silicone sealant is best used for this application because of its flexibility and resilience.

The rubber gasket should be sufficient to seal without putty.

RELN Drainage Sealant is 100% silicone and designed to be used with Channel Drains, Catch Basins and Sewer and Drainpipe to prevent leaks by creating watertight connections at each drainage assembly point.

Where does the rubber seal go on a sink drain? ›

The Flange of the basket strainer goes on the inside of the sink and the rubber washer/gasket, paper gasket, pressure cup and nut are under the sink. The rubber washer seals the sink from below, putty or caulk seal the flange to the sink from above.

Both plumbers putty and epoxy pipe lining use epoxy for sealing water leaks. However, plumbers putty goes on the outside of plumbing pipes in order to temporarily stop a leak, while epoxy pipe lining is used to permanently stop leaks and restore the integrity of the plumbing pipe.

It won't harden, shrink, dry out or crumble. This makes it perfect to seal plumbing fixtures, although it's not good on pipe threads. One advantage putty has over sealants like silicone is it lets you more easily take the plumbing components apart afterward. The putty stays pliable.

They serve totally different purposes. Plumber putty to fill small gaps under faucet. Teflon tape or liquid is for sealing threaded connections that do not have o - ring or washer. You never use "teflon" tape where putty goes, and you never use putty where teflon tape goes.

Flex Glue can be used for an assortment of bathroom repairs. Customers often use the waterproof glue to fix toilet tanks, shower tiles, sink pipes, and other bathroom needs. Flex Glue is also mold and mildew resistant, making it perfect for bathroom repairs.

Plumber's putty is most often used to fix minor leaks in the bathroom and kitchen drains, as well other plumbing pipes.

Drop-In / Top Mount / Self-Rimming

The most common bathroom sink type, drop-ins are the easiest type of sink to install (especially in stone countertops, where the cutout edges need not be polished as with undermounts).

Bathroom sinks: If it's an undermount sink, yes, it must be caulked. This prevents any water from penetrating into the countertop material and cabinetry below. Otherwise, you could get mould. (Always make sure to use waterproof, mildew-resistant silicon caulking in kitchens and bathrooms.)

Newly installed sinks will require sealing; as will old sinks that may have become loose from the wall. Sealing prevents water and dirt running down the wall behind your sink.

Loose Compression Nut:

Likely the most common reason why your drain pipe is leaking at the connection. A loose compression nut will not seal the pipe correctly, so be sure to check the condition of the compression nut prior to scheduling a plumber to come out.

What is the best way to seal PVC pipe? ›

Joint Compound and Thread Tape

Most DIY-ers use thread seal tape, which is usually made from PTFE (Teflon), due to how easy and clean it is. All you need to do is wrap it around the male threads. A stronger yet messier option is joint compound, also called pipe dope.

Leaks in a bathroom sink are frequently caused by clogged water supply lines, faulty p-traps, or poor sink drain pipe connections. Other reasons for bathroom sink leaks include blocked water supply pipes, incorrect p-traps, and poor sink drain connections; so double-check these areas.

PVC primer maximizes the strength and longevity of the joint connection. A joint will still weld together without the primer, but the connection will not be as strong as the primer allows the cement itself to penetrate deeper into the material.

The best bonding agent for PVC pipes and fittings is PVC solvent cement, and there are no substitutes that are good enough to replace it, especially for high-pressure applications.

PVC Glue Dry Time

Some products suggest waiting up to two hours before continuing or turning your plumbing back on. While these are good benchmarks to wait for PVC glue to dry, it's always best to read the instructions on your particular product and check your work to ensure you got a tight seal.

All drainage pipes should be placed on the gravel bed in the trench. PVC drainpipe, if used, should be placed in the trench with the holes facing down.

The 1½-inch size is used to capture water that might flow out of a kitchen sink, a bathroom vanity or a tub. The two-inch pipe is commonly used to drain a shower stall or washing machine, and it may be used as a vertical stack for a kitchen sink. A three-inch pipe is what's used in homes to pipe toilets.

What is the recommended fall for a soil pipe? The minimum fall for a waste pipe is 1 in 40. The maximum fall is 1 in 110 (apart from vertical pipes but that's a different story). So pipes with a gradient between 1 in 40 and 1 in 110 should have adequate flow to prevent blockages from occurring.

1. PVC Pipes. PVC is a plumbing pipe known for its versatility, lightweight, and blockage resistance. PVC piping is generally used as part of a sink, toilet, or shower drain line, though it's sometimes used as a home's main water supply pipe.

Kitchen Sink Waste Pipe- PVC

The PVC material is the best for kitchen sink waste pipes as the material is tested to withstand extreme temperatures of water, thick enough to avoid any slitting and ripping in case of sharp-edged waste and has smooth interiors to allow fast and smooth drainage.

What is the standard hole size for a bathroom sink drain? ›

There are three common drain sizes for bathroom sinks, 1.25", 1.5" and 1 5/8 (1.625"). You need to select a drain that is the same size or SMALLER than the hole in your sink. For example, if you have a sink with a drain hole of 1.75", than any of the drains 1.25", 1.5", or 1.65" will work.

Start by adding plumber's putty to the underside of the basket strainer and fit it into the drain hole at the bottom of the sink. Then, tighten the nut with a basket wrench to secure it in place. You can then fit a brass tailpiece onto the bottom of the basket strainer, reconnect the drainpipes, and you're done!

There are 3 parts you'll need when installing a new sink drain: a P Trap kit, a trap adapter, and a pop-up (or regular) sink drain assembly.

Pop-up drains sometimes spring a leak at the point where the pivot rod enters the drain pipe. Leaking can start if there is loosening or cracking of the compression nut that holds the pivot rod in the drain pipe. If a leak is traced to this nut, it can usually be stopped by tightening the nut.

If your sink features an overflow, it is very important to purchase a drain with an overflow opening so that your sink and drain function properly. If your sink does not feature an overflow hole it needs to be paired with a a drain without overflow.

A Push Pop-Up drain and a pop-up drain with lift rod provide the same function — closing and releasing the drain — but they operate differently. To operate a Push Pop-Up drain, push down on the stopper to seal it, and push again to release it.

SO HOW DOES A SINK POP-UP MECHANISM WORK? It's actually a fairly simple design. When the lift rod is pulled upwards, it pulls the pivot rod up as well. This pivot rod is attached to the stopper, which is pulled down, effectively sealing the sink.

If the tailpiece will not line up with the trap, move the trap into its original position, tighten the collar with the pipe wrench and obtain a flexible tailpiece extension for your drain. The size is typically 1 1/4-inch in the outer diameter of the plastic pipe.

The correct rough-in height for sink drains to pass the inspection is between 18 and 20 inches. Standard sink drains usually start from 24 inches and stop at 28 inches, so the rough-in height should be slightly lower than this height range.

Trap: A P-trap is a two-part pipe under your sink that allows waste and water to pass through. The bend in the pipe prevents sewer gasses from entering.

Does a bathroom sink drain need a trap? ›

Even if you are meticulous about never dropping things down the drain, you still need a p-trap under your sink to keep gas out. Sewer gases can rise through the drain pipes in your home, but the u-shaped bend in the p-trap collects water. This water blocks the gases from rising up into your sink.

Plumbing codes require a P-trap be installed anywhere there is an open drain line that expels wastewater into a drain waste-vent system. The P-trap traps solids that can clog the drain or sewer line.

There are three common drain sizes for bathroom sinks, 1.25", 1.5" and 1 5/8 (1.625"). You need to select a drain that is the same size or SMALLER than the hole in your sink.