It’s a step-by-step method to install your sink. In this post, we’ll talk about how to install kitchen sink drain.
Everybody with basic plumbing experience must be able to complete this task very quickly.
When you’ve never worked on your own drain pipes before, I’d recommend starting with a simple repair like changing the faucet or internal workings of your bathroom.
Setting up a new basket strainer to fix a rusted and leaky kitchen sink drain is a simple fix. Begin by putting plumber’s putty on the basket strainer’s backside and inserting it into the drain opening at the base of the sink. Next, using a basket wrench, adjust the nut to keep it stable. After that, attach a brass tailpiece to the basket strainer’s base, then rejoin the drainpipes, and so you’re finished with the job!
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How to Install Kitchen Sink Drain
Step 1: Select the Drain Assembly Kit
- A drain assembly set will comprise a basket strainer, locking nut, rubber washer, friction ring, and brass tailpiece to join the drain to the drainpipes.
- Ensure you have everything you’ll need to setup your drain, and also ensure that it slips into the drain opening at the base of your sink.
- Keep in mind that the basket strainer you chose should match the drain hole.
- In case your sink already has a basket strainer, use that as a guide when shopping for a new one to ensure it will match.
- Ensure the tailpiece matches your drainpipes, and pick a brass tailpiece to ensure the longevity of your drainpipes.
- Sink drain installation kits are available at local plumbing stores, super markets, and Amazon.
Step 2: Detach the Drainpipe
- Rotate the brass connectors on the drainpipe using pliers, next detach it from the tailpiece on the drain’s bottom.
- Now, using a basket wrench, remove the bolt on the base of the basket strainer and take the strainer out from the drain opening at the base of the sink.
- If you’re inserting a sink drain onto an existing sink with drainpipes connected, you must first remove them while mounting the drain.
- While separating the pipes, be cautious not to harm them with the pliers.
Step 3: Apply Plumber’s Putty
- Add a decent bit of plumber’s putty out of the package and rub it for a moment, or perhaps once in your hands to heat it up and make it more malleable.
- Finally, using your palms, wrap the putty into a cylindrical thread approximately 4–5 inches long.
- Enclose the thread around the base of the basket strainer to determine how long it should be.
- Make a putty rope with a uniform diameter.
- Plumber’s putty is available at home improvement stores, retail stores, and online at Amazon.
Step 4: Add Putty to the bottom of the basket’s lip
- Turn the basket strainer inverted and push the plumber’s putty into the bottom of the lip with your fingertips.
- Apply the plumber’s putty all around the whole basket strainer and push it down.
- Don’t push the putty too tight so that the thread is stretched too slim and the putty slips over the basket’s edge.
- If the putty string is too lengthy, just cut it off and link the two sides of the putty.
Step 5: Position the Basket Strainer
- Position the basket strainer above the drain hole and carefully press it into position so that it’s uniform and the strainer’s mouth is level with the drain hole’s tip.
- Once you push down, the plumber’s putty will stretch into the gap between both the strainer’s edge and the drain hole, forming a hermetic seal.
- To make an even seal, press vertically down.
- This is because, the putty will harden and produce a washer, don’t give it more force because it will push out from the basket strainer’s corners.
Step 6: Clean Excess Putty
- After some time, the plumber’s putty will be stretched, and extra putty may be dripping or collecting at the basket’s base.
- Wash away any extra putty using a clean cloth to ensure a clean and uniform seal.
- When you’re operating on a pre-installed sink, unlock the cabinet doors and gain access to the area under the sink.
- Extra putty is acceptable, but if there is too much spilling out of the edges of the basket strainer, it might weaken the bond.
Step 7: Position the Rubber Washer
- Insert the thick rubber washer above the basket strainer’s base.
- Next, move the thinner, white friction ring above the bottom, pressing it against the rubber washer.
- Now, with one hand, hold the two parts together.
- Place the rubber washer on the first part to establish an extra layer of hermetic seal, followed by the white friction ring to shield the rubber washer from the bolt.
Step 8: Tighten the Nut
- Grab the nut that looks like a big metal ring and align the threads with the threads on the base of the strainer.
- Tighten the nut by turning it clockwise or right.
- Continue twisting until it is as tight as possible.
- Turn the nut as far as it will go by hand.
- To maintain the basket strainer steady, grab a set of needle-nose pliers and grasp the slits in the strainer’s base.
- Place a basket wrench above the nut and tighten it as much as you can.
- To ensure the basket strainer is tightly secured and water does not seep out of the drain, screw the nut using a wrench.
Step 9: Place a Compression Gasket
- With your fingertips, take off the plumber’s putty that has been squeezed in between the basket strainer and the drain opening.
- Scrape any extra putty from the drain so that it appears clean and uniform, and the seal is waterproof.
- When you secure the nut with the wrench, a small amount of putty will be pushed out.
- Next, you should align and match the connections on the brass tailpiece with the holes on the basket strainer’s base.
- Using your arms, tighten the tailpiece as much as possible.
- A rubber compression gasket is a tiny, pliable seal that keeps water out.
- In the head of the sink’s drainpipe, place a compression gasket.
- It should be tightly secured in place.
- Rubber gaskets are available in a wide range of sizes.
- Pick one that has the right size for your drain pipe’s length.
Step 10: Align the Connector
- The drainpipe you unplugged will be right under the sink drain’s brass tailpiece.
- Adjust the two sides of the drainpipe so that it touches the base of the brass tailpiece.
- If you strain or give more force on the drainpipe, it may crack.
- A little plastic rings placed onto the tailpiece is attached to the drainpipe.
- Adjust the studs at the base of the brass tailpiece with the holes at the top of the drainpipe.
- Secure the connector to the brass tailpiece.
- Align the connector you fitted onto the brass tailpiece using an adjustable wrench.
- Secure the connector with the wrench so that the drainpipe is attached to the tailpiece and secured.
- If the connection is overtightened, the plastic may break.
Step 11: Check for Spills
- After switching on the water, check to see if water is coming through the basket strainer and then into the drain pipes.
- Ensure there isn’t any water spilling out below the sink and ensure that the drain is functioning effectively.
Video Guide: How to Replace Kitchen Sink Drain
How to Install Double Kitchen Sink Plumbing
Since you’re not a skilled plumber, kitchen sink plumbing, just like every other plumbing installation, it could be difficult.
However, you might not be too anxious. You will be Ok as soon as you have somewhat simple plumbing skills.
Even-though a few double kitchen sinks have unique p-traps for each bowl, the majority of them are intended to function with a single trap that links to the drain pipe.
The most popular method for installing a double sink drain is to link the two sinks with a straight drain arm that is joined to the p-trap through a sanitary tee fitting.
If one of the sinks has a garbage disposal, installing double kitchen sink plumbing is little more difficult. However, if done correctly, your sink will last for many years.
Many disposals can be converted to work with a two-bowl design.
Step 1.Turn off the water valve
- If the pipelines are switched on, you won’t be able to accomplish anything.
- The valves normally located under the sink should be turned off.
- If you can’t locate them, switch off your building’s primary water supply connection.
Step 2. Attach the drain assembly
- Then, the drain assembly must be installed.
- The flange and stopper, the main section below the sink, and the ball-and-rod mechanism that assists in controlling the stopper’s motion will comprise the drain assembly.
- Mount the drain assembly in the wall aperture at the base of one of the sinks prior to installing the sink in the cabinet.
- The garbage disposal system should then be installed in the second wall slot, and the process should be repeated.
- Use a bunch of plumber’s putty to make sure every hole is completely sealed.
- To turn the screws, you need to use an adjustable plier.
Step 3. Mount the Sink
- Now, mount the sink to the cabinet.
- Each sink is equipped with clamps that hold it to the cabinetry.
- Using a screwdriver, screw the clamps into the cabinetry.
Step 4. Connect the Garbage Disposal
- Install the garbage disposal in the container properly.
- This is, in my opinion, one of the most practical aspects of the setup, and you should consult the manufacturer’s handbook for detailed instructions.
- The usual procedure entails locking the disposal unit in position by spinning it counterclockwise.
Step 5. Connect the Tail Piece
- Next, you’ll have to operate on the tail portion of the sink alone without the disposal unit at this stage.
- A slip screw should be used to attach the tail piece to the slotted drain port.
- A slip screw is a flexible threaded band that can be easily attached by hand.
- However, you may use channel-type pliers to connect it, but you’ll have to be very careful.
Step 6. Join the sanitary tee and the tailpiece
- Thereafter, use a plastic compression nut to attach the sanitary tee to the tailpiece.
- Hand-tightening of the compression nut is possible.
- A compression washer can also be used to verify that the tailpiece is securely attached to the sanitary tee.
- With a tape, measure the length between the tee connector and the garbage disposal system outlet.
- Next, using a hacksaw, take a small part of pipe to link the disposal system and the tee from that length.
- Compression nuts and washers should be used on both ends to provide an airtight seal.
Step 7. Set up the P-Trap
- Next, slide the p-trap unit into the tee’s bottom tip.
- The p-trap should then be connected to the drain opening on the sidewall.
- To avoid spills, you should additionally coil an adaptor around the p-trap.
How to Install Kitchen Sink Drain With Silicone
Certain silicone caulk tubes may be squeezed out by hand, while other silicones require the use of a caulking gun.
When you first get it out of the package, silicone caulk will look like a transparent, flexible liquid. The caulk starts to develop a skin after roughly an hour of contact with the air.
When the silicone caulk dries, it hardens but not to the point of brittleness. Silicone caulk isn’t a common option for sealing a sink drain since it doesn’t become watertight until it’s completely healed.
If you ever decide to use caulk, make sure it’s 100 percent silicone, not other materials like acrylic, latex, polyblend, or sanded types, which aren’t designed to be exposed to water.
Silicone caulk, like plumber’s putty, isn’t permanent and must be replaced at some point.
- Use silicone caulk to add a more even layer of silicone caulk to the bottom of the sink’s drain system and to the sink directly surrounding the drain hole aperture.
- Excess silicone caulk can leak out from behind the drain bowl and the sink, which you must clean off before it solidifies, just like plumber’s putty.
- To loosen solidified silicone caulk, go to a grocery or home maintenance store and buy a caulk softening solution.
Video Guide: How to Install Sink Drain Pipe
Conclusion
The kitchen sink is the most used room in your house, therefore, it is important that you have both a kitchen sink and a bathroom sink.
If your current sink drain is in need of replacement, it is important that you take the time to plan out how you will replace it.
By sitting down and planning out how you will install your kitchen sink drain, you will be able to do the job quickly and easily.
If you are unsure of how to install kitchen sink sink drain, follow the above steps to ensure that you get the job done in a timely fashion.
