Modifying Kitchen Sink Drain Process
Is your kitchen sink drainage becoming sluggish or outright clogged? Do you notice water pooling around the drain instead of flowing properly? These can signal issues with your sink's drainage system that may necessitate replacing components. Addressing deteriorating kitchen sink drains early prevents more extensive plumbing headaches down the road.
Specifically, keep an eye out for the following signs your kitchen sink drain needs swapping out:
- Frequent clogs that are difficult to clear fully
- Very slow water drainage even after attempting to unclog
- Visible corrosion and wear on the metal of drain parts
- Persistent bad odors emanating from the drain area
- Small leaks around the edges of the drain
- A loose sink drain assembly that rocks or shifts
While mundane drain cleaning efforts like plunging, snaking, hot water flushes, or chemical drain openers may provide temporary relief, repeat issues indicate age, damage, or general wear and tear necessitating full drain replacement.
Prepping To Install New Kitchen Sink Drain
Once decided, adequately prepping to modify your kitchen sink drain prevents complications. Proper planning makes this straightforward plumbing job into an easy DIY task.
Gather Essential Supplies
First, compile all necessary implements before starting. At minimum, have on hand:
- Basin wrench
- Plumber's putty
- Pipe wrench
- Hacksaw/tubing cutter
- Utility knife
- Assorted screwdrivers
- Flashlight
- A bucket or pan
- Rags, paper towels, sponge
You'll also need supplies specific to your kitchen configuration like:
- P-trap
- Tailpiece
- Slip connectors
- Mounting brackets
- Sink drain baskets/strainers
Shutting Off Water Supply Lines
Next, locate the shutoff valves supplying water to the kitchen sink and turn them perpendicular to the pipes to halt water flow. Test by briefly turning on the faucet to drain remaining water from supply lines.
Tip: Place a bucket or pan beneath fittings to catch any errant drips.
Disassembling Drain Pipes
Then, examine the sink's plumbing underneath to familiarize yourself with its P-trap configuration. Place a bucket under the trap's curved section before unscrewing slip connectors to detach the adjoining drain pipe sections. Set them aside intact to reuse if still functional.
Removing Old Defective Sink Drain
With prep complete, now focus efforts on replacing the defective kitchen sink drain itself using the following procedure:
Detaching Tailpiece From Sink
The tailpiece connects to the sink drain basket, directing wastewater downward. Removing it first grants access to the strainer body. Typically attached to the sink via slip nuts threaded upward into mounting assemblies, tailpieces detach by:
- Fitting basin wrench prongs around the nut to unthread it using counterclockwise turns.
- Twisting tailpiece connector nut also counterclockwise if present.
- Pulling downward to slide tailpiece off the sink basket.
Extracting Drain Basket From Sink
With the tailpiece disengaged, the sink strainer body itself unscrews easily by hand. Gripping ridges around the strainer edge, rotate it counterclockwise to back fully out of the sink opening.
Be mindful that strainer seals may stick somewhat after prolonged use, requiring firm but gentle prying motion to dislodge.
Inspecting Sink Drain Hole
Check the uncovered sink drain hole interior where the drain basket seated. Scan for any signs of damage like cracking, warping from heat damage, rust accumulation, or caulking remnants.
Use a utility knife to gently scrape away any evident old plumbers putty or non-waterproof caulking.
Additionally, verify your new replacement drain will align properly with the drain hole height.
Installing A New Kitchen Sink Drain
With outdated components fully removed, installing modern kitchen sink drain replacements is equally straightforward.
Test Positioning
First, trial fit the orientation by lowering your drain basket into the empty sink hole, aligning any notches or holes between both components. Ensure the new drain sits evenly flush to the sink bottom.
If cross-sections match and suitable, begin permanent mounting procedures.
Sealing And Securing New Drain
Prepare the underside of your sink drain with fresh plumber's putty, pressed into a ring encircling the flange. Employ ample putty to seal the entirety of the drain edge.
Next, carefully insert new drain up into sink drain hole in the correct aligned orientation. Press firmly to squish putty evenly and create a tight seal.
Below, re-secure mounting hardware like slip nuts, tightening by hand initially then utilzing a basin wrench for additional torque. Finally, realign tailpiece or extension pipe to redesigned drain bottom as needed.
Reconnecting P-Trap Piping
Underneath, correctly reconnect the sink trap arm sections in proper order to direct wastewater downward and into broader plumbing channels.
Hand-tighten any slip joints first, followed by an additional quarter turn using pliers or a pipe wrench for optimal snugness.
Validating New Sink Drain Functionality
Before considering your kitchen sink drain replacement complete, always validate full, leak-free functionality by:
Turning Water Supply Back On
Slowly return water flow to the sink supply lines and sprayer hose (if equipped). Check beneath fittings for any drips or water droplets indicating loose joints.
If found, tighten further or disassemble and reseat offending connections.
Running Water To Confirm Drainage
With water flowing unimpeded, stopper sink basin and allow to fill approximately quarter depth. Remove stopper and validate complete, free-flowing drainage down the newly modified drain system.
Observe from multiple angles to ensure no secondary leaks arise around drain edges either.
Wiping Up Mess
Assuming appropriate operation, one last crucial step remains - wiping away plumbing grime! Use paper towels, rags or sponges to remove leaked water, stray putty or pipe joint compounds, dirt, and dust.
Finally, reinstall any removable items like sink baskets, strainers, or P-trap cover plates impacted during the process.
While intimidating initially, executing a full kitchen sink drain replacement efficiently simply necessitates adequate planning and step-wise focus. Arm yourself with the right mindset and tools, and even extensive plumbing modifications become doable DIY projects!