How do I fix this bathroom sink pipe?

7 years ago

My bathroom sink has a permanent stopper that you can't remove. This is problematic because:

1. I want to install a sink drain strainer that I will clean out daily instead of the stopper. I already have these in my tub and kitchen sink.

2. I want to auger out the s-curve in the pipes since it is draining slow.

Now I didn't call the landlord since I am about 10% to blame for the sink draining slowness. About 90% of the problem was here when I moved in but I didn't feel a need to bother the LL since although it was slow, it was (barely) adequate. I want to fix this myself since I have an sink closet auger and invested in drain strainers.

So I went under the sink and found the lock that was holding the stopper in. I disconnected it, by unscrewing a sideways cap, a gasket and a ball plunger that sits in the pipe. And then I pulled out the rusty the metal stick that was locking the plunger down.

I then removed the plunger from the sink and a ton of long hair and gunk was attached to it.

Now I don't know how to close up the gaping hole so water doesn't leak. Here are pics:

What do I do? And how on earth am I going to reinstall that complex stopper when I move out? There was very little room for that long metal stick to go in and out of the pipe. I am not going to be able to insert that into the stopper hole since someone has to be on top to move the stopper up and down for me to poke at and try to bullseye the hole in the stopper with the rusty metal stick, and I am alone with no friends.

Thanks!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

Fori
7 years ago
Those things are a pain to work with, aren't they?

I'd snake it dry so you don't get a big leaky mess, then screw the ball-on-a-stick back in place. The stick will be in the drain (which is why I'd snake it first) but the thing will plug the hole.

To reinstall it before you move out, you just try to poke the stick
through the hole with the popup in the lowered position. You can prop it up with a wad
of TP if that makes it easier, but these things are never easy. Probably the worst bathroom job that doesn't involve a toilet...
mileena94523 thanked Fori
mileena94523
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Well thanks for your help! I agree, plus the YouTube videos I watched made it look so easy. I actually took the metal locking bracket in back off and tried to use just the plastic end cap and gasket to thread onto the pipe. It made it worse, as I couldn't even begin the thread; I needed the plastic ball and metal rod inside the end cap as well. Plus you have to install with the metal rod as that blocks the hole in the end cap. Otherwise there would be a huge leak.

So I put it back together and screwed it in as best I could. The end cap will not reach the last three or four threads and does not form a tight seal. That plastic ball is in the way, although it appears to be seated correctly. If I push down harder and try to thread it all the way, the end caps gets automatically pushed back to an unthreaded position. But if I don't push hard enough, it leaks. If I push hard on the end cap itself, away from the pipe, I can knock it right off its threads onto the ground. I put a bowl under the pipes in case it leaks a little.

I might eventually reattach the sink stopper if I move out, or I just may leave the stopper lose and/or donate a sink strainer, as they are cheap. I don't know if everything fit properly when the pipes were first installed, whenever that was. They look newer. They may have gotten too shallow of an end cap, so it may not be my fault. I am just a tenant working with what was supplied.

Here are pics:

End cap and plastic gasket in it are unscrewed, Plastic ball is in position at the pipe:

Ball blocks me from completely and tightly threading plastic end cap:

This is the best threading job I could do. 3 or 4 threads are still exposed and it almost leaks:
Related Discussions
Leak under bathroom sink coming from tail piece - how to fix?
Q
Comments (6)
Is there a particular tool I should be using to tighten it? It is in a very awkward position and it has a weird wing thing sticking off the side, so none of the wrenches I have will fit over it. I don't have the hand strength to tighten it further myself. Maybe I'll see if DH can muscle it closed.
...See More
Extra capped pipe under bathroom sink
Q
Comments (8)
@joseph_corlett if you click on the photo you can see the extra pipe on the bottom. Trying to figure out how to get a vanity flush to the wall. We don’t really want to cut up a brand new vanity
...See More
Bathroom Sink is too small for countertop! Can we fix this problem?!?
Q
Comments (19)
Just going by the photos, I think it looks too small, yes. Reminds me of a prep sink in a kitchen … and a bulky mirror and big faucet will only make it look even smaller and more out of proportion. But — photos are hard to go by. Might look fine in person. Talk to the pros you’ve hired, get their input on it.
...See More
Bathroom sink fix
Q
Comments (9)
Waht was used for the sink to wall transition and as for the flanges they are not usually attached they jusy si there to cover the hole where the pipes come out if the sink is not attached properly and moves a bit then that might be causing the cracking but in the pic it looks like a really poor caulking job if they used silicone but if they used grout that was the wrong choice.
...See More
sloyder
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
From the picture it looks like the nut is not properly threaded on the shaft
mileena94523 thanked sloyder
mileena94523
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks sloyder. I guess then that the end cap was too shallow to begin with, assuming they are sold separate from the attached pipe. I could actually complain to the landlord it is to shallow. We will see. I don't want to cause him extra expense, but at the same time I don't want there to be a big leak in the apartment.