How To Fix A Bathroom Sink Stopper That Is Stuck Shut In Five Steps?

The solution is simple if you’re asking how to fix a bathroom sink stopper that is stuck shut. Something has been unhooked. The issue may have begun with sludge in the sink, but this frequently leads to anything falling apart or shattering. 

If you’re prepared to climb beneath the sink, you can surely replace that device. The only tools you’ll probably need are locking pliers or a flashlight.

Bathroom sink drain

What Is The Function Of A Sink Stopper?

One sink stopper function is not easily understood. When you press and pull on one lift rod, a lever that extends throughout its drain tailpiece is activated. 

The lever is connected to that drain via a hole and hook on the bottom of the plastic flange affixed to your stopper. The drain is moved in the opposite direction as your lift rod.

A lifting rod is connected to a lever by one clevis, an adjustable strap. Sometimes the issue is as easy as a loose clevis screw. Your clevis screw, however, is up below the sink basin, making it difficult to observe and reach, resulting in you having to have a flashlight.

The small plastic strip at the base of a stopper flange within the tailpiece may have cracked. When this occurs, the lever would push a stopper up and not down, leaving a  drain in its open position. To repair this, you must unscrew your drain mechanism.

Why Has The Sink Stopper Become Stuck?

Sink stoppers have been typically seen on our bathroom sinks. On the other hand, they are usually no different, allowing you to follow similar instructions. 

Push-down ones, rubber drain locks, and other types of this device are available. Popup stoppers, which we shall discuss in this essay, are fairly frequent in your bathroom sinks.

They contain many moving parts, the above pop-up drains are pretty easy to use. So, if something goes wrong, it’s most likely due to a broken or malfunctioning component. 

Repairing a damaged or disconnected element is typically a simple procedure that most people can do.

Related:

How To Remove Moen Bathroom Sink Faucet Handles?

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How To Fix A Bathroom Sink Stopper That Is Stuck Shut 

Required Tools

Before attempting to fix your bathroom hand basin, gather a few essential materials. Here’s a list of everything you’ll require.

  • Clip
  • Pliers
  • Horizontal rod
  • Flashlight
  • Strap for lifting rod
The lift strap
The lift strap

Steps By Steps

Step 1. Clear out the cabinet

The first stage in this procedure should be to clean away everything in the cupboard beneath the bathroom hand basin. 

You’ll have to be acquainted with the drain mechanism behind its drain pipes, and working around odd stuff in your cabinet isn’t enjoyable. So get everything off of your workstation.

Clean The Cabinet
Clean The Cabinet

Step 2. Check your spring clip

One probable cause of your sink’s malfunction is its spring clip. Crawl beneath your sink to ensure it remains attached to the appropriate components. Reattach it when it comes off. If it seems broken or worn, replace it with the appropriate replacement component.

Step 3. Check the pivot rod

Steel is used in several pivot rods. Unfortunately, steel rusts easily, especially when you have a leaking hand basin. Water exposure can cause the steel to rust, causing it to become weak and stop working properly. Replacement components are required if the horizontal pivot rod is rusted away.

You may buy the specific steel replacement component if you like; however, steel seldom lasts long in your plumbing systems. In addition, brass is an excellent substitute. The brass has been the correct way if you opt to replace your pop-up draining assembly.

Pop-up drains locked open can also be caused by unconnected parts, so ensure that their components are correctly attached or moving.

Step 4. Check the pop-up plugs

All pop-up connectors with a damaged end do not attach to their mechanism as they should, rendering the entire system inoperable. If everything beneath the sink appears to be in working order and all components remain connected, the issue might be with its plug itself.

Examine all pop-up plugs beneath the handbasin. At your stopper flange’s base is one small plastic strip. When the tailpiece gets broken, its pop-up component must be replaced.

Step 5. Install a new assembly  & tighten the nuts

You can continue addressing the issue when you have established what is making the drain get stuck down. As far as the disconnected pieces remain in excellent condition, they are a fast and uncomplicated fix. Reconnect them to the proper location and test their mechanism to ensure it works.

Remove an old assembly if you decide to change the full pop-up construction. Then, insert a new drain into the above drain to complete the installation. Put your horizontal pivoting rod to the drainage pipe after sliding the clevis far above the mentioned stopper rod.

Tighten a retaining nut just enough to keep a pivot rod in place, but not too much. Tighten your clevis screw next. Examine the work with a lift rod to ensure all moving pieces are securely fastened.

The retention nut is too tight if the pivot rod does not move. Tighten it sufficiently to keep your stopper rod from sliding down. Tighten a clevis screw and raise that stopper rod, then slide a clevis as high up as it would go on that stopper rod. After that, tighten that clevis screw.

The next step is to try to fill your hand basin using water to ensure that there is one good seal. If that seal isn’t working properly and your sink will not hold water, fix the clevis and retention nut until it does.

Check The Seal
Check The Seal

Conclusion 

Fixing one stuck bathroom sink stopper seems easier since all you need are the appropriate equipment and the proper information. How to fix a bathroom sink stopper that is stuck shut? In reality, most householders can finish the work by utilizing their expertise and instincts, indicating you don’t need to hire pricey plumbers.

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Edvian Berrios is a homeowner who has become a plumbing expert through self-study and practical experience. Despite not being a professional plumber, Berrios's deep understanding of fixtures and do-it-yourself techniques has enabled him to successfully handle even the most challenging plumbing problems in his own homes.