Installing a pop-up drain in the bathroom sink

 Prepare the area

The first step is to remove excess water from the sink and clean it. The last thing to do is to remove the drain trap and drop half a litre of water on it. Depending on the amount of standing water, you can use a cup, a ladle or a wet/dry hoover. There will always be water left in the drain, so put a pot or bucket under the sink.

Remove the old drain

If you look under the sink, you will see the drain assembly and the retractable lift rod. First, unscrew the lifting rod and pull it out. Now, with a pair of pliers, grasp the lock nut and loosen it. The lock nut is located near the top of the drain trap.

With the lock nut loosened, push the assembly up and move it a little to loosen everything. The residual water will now drain out.

Return to the top of the sink and unscrew the retractable ring. Once the top ring is removed, the retractable assembly should come out the bottom. 

Installing the new drain flange

Clean the old caulking or mastic around the drain hole. Apply the plumber's putty completely around the bottom of the chrome ring on top of the new flange. Don't worry about getting the amount right, the important thing is that the bottom part is covered. Some assemblies have a rubber gasket, or you can use silicone sealant, but plumber's putty is best.

Prepare the lower assembly

First, apply pipe joint putty to the rubber washer of the lower assembly. This will provide a good seal on the bottom of the sink. Push the bottom assembly through the bottom of the sink until the rubber washer has a good seal.

Screw the top flange into the bottom assembly protruding from the top of the sink. It does not have to be tight on the top. The important thing is that it is connected and not cross-threaded. Using a spanner or pliers, tighten the locking nut on the bottom assembly. Excess mastic will escape between the ring and the sink surface. Wipe it off with a rag.

Install the plug

Insert the plug into the upper part of the drain and make sure that the hole faces the back of the sink. Once again, return to the lower part. The rest of the plug consists of a ball and a rod. With the ball inside the nut, insert it into the pipe. 

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