How to Fix a Slow Moving Sink

We've all been there! You use the sink, pop the stopper to drain and NOTHING happens. There's a big old clog stopping up the works.

Or, the stopper won't actually pop up and need to be replaced.

Knowing how to remove a sink stopper is the first step to unclogging that sink or adding a new stopper. Both are VERY homeowner-friendly projects.

Snake Hair Drain Clog Remover Cleaning Tool

Whink Hair Clog Blaster

The first step is to remove the horizontal rod that holds the stopper in place. There is a spring clip holding the horizontal rod to the vertical strap (The gray thing with the holes.) Pull this clip off and pull the rod away from the vertical strap.

Unscrew the grey nut on the backside of the drain and pull this out (you might need a wrench if hand strength isn't enough). Go ahead and clean this with a little soapy water and a brush. Put a bucket under the drain just in case there is any dripping water.

Now the stopper is free and can be removed from the sink. Wash the stopper as well. I put this in a glass of soapy water with a little vinegar and let it soak; finish with a light brushing (an old toothbrush works well) and rinse well.

If you are replacing the stopper, put the new one in place and reverse the above directions.

Sometimes you need to replace the stopper because the plastic ring at the bottom is broken. Also, if the rod that makes the stopper go up and down comes out of the hole, the stopper will not work. Check this before you go buy a new one. This is a simple fix.

Once the stopper is out of the way, it's time to tackle the clog. This clog was really too gross to show but it was a mixture of long hair and soap scum.

Using a flexible, disposable snake hair drain clog remover cleaning tool is easy and effective. Push it up and down in the drain until no more hair and gunk is removed.

We followed up with a commercial drain cleaner just to be sure everything was removed. Prior to pouring, screw the horizontal rod back into place so you don't get any water leaking. (You'll remove this when all the parts are reassembled.)

Time to reassemble the parts. Drop in the stopper with the hole facing forward. (That's the part that is sometimes broken.) That hole is where the horizontal rod connects to the stopper.

Replace the horizontal rod that holds the stopper in place. Tighten the nut. Don't overtighten as these are plastic parts.

Fit the rod into the vertical strap which is connected to the lift rod. Replace the spring clip on the back of the horizontal rod. (This is the part that makes the stopper go up and down.) Be sure to make note of the hole the rod was originally fitted into and put it into the same place.

All done. A simple fix for a slow draining sink or to replace a broken stopper.

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