The stopper in your pop-up sink is a simple mechanical device that is composed of various moving parts that usually needs constant adjustments. Having a pop-up sink at home is quite a convenience to the user and many homeowners are already coping with the malfunctions that come with continuous use. Deal with the common malfunctions of the device by learning how to fix a pop-up sink.

Faulty Connections

There are only few malfunctions of pop-up sinks and one of the most common is faulty connection. This means that the stopper doesn’t open or close properly and to fix a pop-up sink, you need to do some adjustments on its working parts. The working parts of the pop-up sink are composed of three sections – a vertical rod that connects to the control knob, one more vertical rod that is flat and full of holes known as clevis, and a horizontal rod that is connected to the pivot rod within the drain then to the stopper known as lift rod. Adjust these working parts repeatedly specifically the clevis and lift rod until the stopper open or close properly.

Clogging

The common causes of clogging in your pop-up sink are loose hair and other debris. To fix a pop-up sink with this kind of problem, you need to remove the stopper from its place in order to free the drain from any clogs. Do this by twisting or lifting the stopper from the sink or dismantling the pivot rod beneath the sink. Once the stopper is out, clean the drain completely using a stiff wire wrapped with cloth or a long brush. When the drain is already clean, you also need to clean the stopper before putting it back on its proper place.

Leaks

There are two types of leaks that might happen in your pop-up sink. One type is that the water is trickling or dripping from the working parts underneath the sink means that there is a leak in the pivot ball. To fix a pop-up sink with this type of leak, you need to retighten the retaining ball that secures the pivot ball in its place. If this method is not effective, then you have to take out the nut and then place a new washer in the pivot ball to stop the leak.

Another type of leak is that the water trickles down on the outside part of the drain. This is a more serious leak problem and must be fixed immediately. This type of leak means that the putty seal underneath the flange may be broken due to the constant thudding of the stopper against the flange. To fix a pop-up sink with this type of leak, you need to loosen a lock nut beneath the sink that will allow you lift up the flange just a little bit thus giving you enough working space to renew the putty seal.

Commonly, when your pop-up sink is showing this type of leak it means that a portion of the drain is already corroded. And since corrosion is already happening, it is a distinct sign that the drain in your sink will totally fail before long. To correctly fix a pop-up sink with this type of leak, you need to replace the whole assembly of the drain.

One does not have to be an experienced plumber to know how to repair a clogged drain. The means one would need are close at hand, and the methods involved are quite easy to follow.

One measure that can be taken in how to repair a clogged drain is to remove any obstruction from the drain, clearing away any trace of debris. The problem may come from particles that have collected in the strainer, in which case it has to be removed in order to be cleaned. There are certain sinks into which one can merely reach down to twist off or pull out the strainer, and there are others which would require one to squat down in order to locate the pivot rod which has to be removed to lift out the strainer.

If the drain remains clogged even after the strainer has been cleaned, then the clog could be in the pipe. If the drain under scrutiny is in the kitchen sink, it would most likely be blocked by food particles. If the drain is in the bathroom sink, then the probable cause of stoppage would be an accumulation of hair and soap scum.

The tool that one would need to unclog a drain pipe is a drain auger, or as it is also commonly referred to, a “snake.” The stopper or strainer must first be removed from the drain before slipping the snake into the opening. The auger’s handle is cranked as the auger wire is pushed further into the drain pipe. Once the wire discovers the clog, the wire is then moved back and forth as the handle is being turned. The snake is then slowly pulled out the drain while simultaneously turning the handle.

While there are commercial drain cleaners that are available, many of them are made from harsh chemicals that could be damaging to drain pipes, not to mention potentially hazardous to the environment and perhaps to one’s health should they happen to get some of it on their eyes or skin. Fortunately, there are natural drain cleaners in the market, so one should try those first before going with a chemical brand.

Better yet, one can make a homemade drain cleaner of their own out of baking soda and vinegar. A small quantity of baking soda is first poured down into the drain, followed by a similar measure of vinegar. One should expect some emission of fumes and foam, but these are non-toxic and will not pose any health hazards. The unclogging process should take a period of approximately 3 hours. If the drain is still congested afterwards, just repeat the procedure. Another recommended method of how to repair a clogged drain is to flush it a couple of times using boiling water.

If the drain is clogged by too much water, then one would merely have to resort to that traditional unclogging implement, the plunger. Water is added into the drain, but not too much to fill the entire sink, just enough to cover the head of the plunger if needed. The plunger head is placed over the clogged drain, covering its opening. Should the sink have an overflow drain, it has to be covered with a towel in order to keep the water from spilling out from it. The plunger is pushed up and pulled down in quick motions in order for the drain to be unclogged.

When all else fails, it may be time to call a professional. Otherwise, when one knows how to repair a clogged drain by oneself, plumbing problems would merely be water under the sink.

Do you have problems with your old bathroom sink? Do you think that your sink is outdated? Are you interested in fixing and improving the appearance of your sink but you do not have enough money to pay for the serviceman? It is best if you learn how to fix an old bathroom sink easily and effectively.

Procedures

If you like your sink to have a newer look, you can begin with replacing the faucet and the fittings. Choose a faucet that will match the color of your sink and the bathroom. It is also beneficial to purchase a faucet with an aerated spout. If the color of your sink is white and you want to clean it, just pour bleach on the sink and let it stand for several minutes.

Instead of rinsing it with water, just lay paper towels on the sink. If there are cracks on the sink, then you can paint the cracked areas with white. If you want to change the color of the sink, you need to reglaze or repaint it. Choose the color that will match with the color of the bathroom. After repainting the sink, apply gel coat to make the sink shinier and more attractive. For best results, sand the sink after the gel coat dries up.

Cleaning an Old Bathroom Sink

To clean the sink, you need a bucket of soap and water, a sponge, paper towels, chlorine bleach and plastic sheeting. In addition to these materials, you should have medium grit sandpaper, a silicone digester, a putty knife, drop cloths, a tile refinishing paint, primer paint, an acrylic urethane resin and a polymer resin.

Use the sponge and the soapy water to wash the sink. To clean the cracks, use a bristle brush and wipe it with paper towels. Remove rust stains by layering paper towels on the sink. Pour the bleach directly on the towels. Let the towels stay on the sink for three to five hours. Sand the sink before you paint it. Wash it with soapy water. Rinse with clean water.

Dry the sink before you paint it. If your sink is made from porcelain, spray 12 coats of paint on the sink. Wait for eight to 10 hours before coat it with polymer resin. If you cannot find polymer resin, you can use polyurethane paint instead. Seal it with a gel coat to make it shinier. Sand the edges of the sink to make it more attractive.

If you think repairing stem faucets is a task best left to a plumber, well, it’s not. The following instructions will walk you through the process.

Required Tools and Materials

Gaskets
Washers
Rags (clean ones)
A set of screwdrivers
Valve seats
Crescent wrench
Masking tape

Step 1

Turn off the water from the water supply valve. Depending on the design, this may be found below the sink. If not, look at the back of the shower assembly; it will be in a closet. If there isn’t one, go to the central water shutoff of your home.

Step 2

Take off the faucet handle. If it’s hidden under a cap, remove it with a screwdriver. Take off the cap and undo the screw. You can begin repairing stem faucets after removing the handle.

Step 3

Unfasten the locknut with your wrench. Take out the stem. In other cases, the stem may be connected to the faucet assembly body. In this case you’ll have to unfasten it in a counterclockwise fashion.

Step 4

Examine the stem’s bottom and look for the rubber washer. If the washer is held by a screw, remove it with the screwdriver. Put in the new washer.

Step 5

When the new washer is installed, put the pieces together by reversing the process just described. Turn on the water supply. The dripping should stop.

Tips on Repairing Stem Faucets

If the leak persists, the problems may be the valve itself. Go to the home improvement store and ask what type of wrench should be used. When you have the wrench, remove the stem and you’ll see the valve there.

Because some of the screws are very small, you should set down rags or clothing on the floor. Put the screws and other faucet parts there. This ensures no parts are lost.

Inspect the structure carefully. Does the washer need replacing or is it the stem itself? A corroded stem will have to be replaced. You should take the damaged component to the store so you can get the proper replacements.

Warnings

When repairing stem faucets, it’s a good idea to have a wrench set with you. A crescent wrench is suitable in most cases. But if the nut is embedded too deeply, you’ll need to try other wrenches.

Some faucet seats cannot be replaced. If that’s the case, you’ll need to use a faucet seat grinder to fix it. If you don’t want to do this, you’ll need to replace the whole faucet. Don’t pry the screws or any components too hard with the wrench. If you do, the components may break down.

Only use washers and stems that match your faucet. Forcing an incompatible one in may destroy the whole faucet. If you need a new washer, you might as well get replacement parts for the others. This way you don’t have to make repeat trips to the store.

Repairing stem faucets is really a simple task. Provided you get the proper replacement parts, fixing that leak should be a straightforward process.

The drain is one of the most important parts of the bathroom, specifically in the shower area where water flows on a regular basis. This artificial exit point keeps the surface of the shower area free from any buildup of water, thus keeping it safe for people to use. Make your home a more convenient place to live in by learning how to install a tile shower drain inside the bathroom area.

Materials Needed

Only a few materials are needed before anyone can start with this easy task. These include a PVC cement preparation, PVC cement and a new shower drain. Aside from these items, you also need a drill, a chisel and a hammer at some point during the process of installing the shower drain.

Steps

First, buy a shower drain that will perfectly fit the current system of plumbing. To do this, you need to bring the old drain with you to any nearby hardware store. Before replacing the old drain, you should check first for pipes that are broken or cracked. If black pipe is used in the current system, try to buy rubber adaptors.

Slowly remove the tiles in the area where you wish to put the new drain. Get a chisel and a hammer and then use it to chip off and crack each tile that needs to be removed. Do this slowly so as not to destroy the surrounding tiles. Likewise, you need to have extra tiles with the same design as the rest of the other tiles on the floor of the shower area.

After removing all the tiles necessary to install the drain, get the drill and then use it to create a hole. Be sure to find a spot that is aligned with the current plumbing. When the right size of hole is made, try to smooth out all the rough and uneven edges using sandpaper. By doing this, you are guaranteed that there is no leak later on.

Apply the purple primer into the parts that need to be joined. Wait for about 20 seconds after applying the PVC prep and then put PVC cement on the new drain and the current plumbing. When connecting PVC to a black pipe or rubber pipe, the use of cement glue is necessary.

After putting the drain in place, top it with the drain cap and then put some plumbers caulk. Screw the drain cap tightly in place. When the glue and caulk dry up, try to check if the newly installed drain is working just fine. In case problems occur, make the necessary adjustments accordingly.

The kitchen sink is usually affected by different kinds of problems. Aside from a clogged drain, a broken faucet is one of the most difficult and most common because people cannot perform daily tasks normally without water. After continuous use, the gaskets eventually wear out, loosen up and cause water to drip. There is really no need to hire expensive professional services especially for those who know how to fix a kitchen sink.

Materials Needed

Only a few simple materials are needed to complete this moderate task. Among these are a penknife, a Phillip?s screwdriver and an adjustable wrench. In addition, you must also have a cloth and clean gaskets. With these items available, you can start with the following steps right away.

Steps

Under the sink, open the cabinet and then look for the cold and hot water valves. Turn them in clockwise direction. After this, check if there is still water on the faucet. In case the valves are stuck in the ?on? position probably due to corrosion, just shut the main water switch off temporarily while you are working on the sink. Go back under the sink and then replace the valves if they are faulty.

Go to the faucet and then observe the handle. There, you can find a little circular faceplate concealing a screw. Get the penknife and then pry it off to expose the screw. If a penknife is not available, you can instead use a lobster pick or any item with a sharp point. Get the screwdriver and then slowly remove the screw. Secure it in a safe place for later use. Hold the top of the handle and then slowly pull it off the faucet.

At the inner part of the handle, you can find a rubber gasket and a nut holding the cartridge. Gently remove the gasket and check if it is worn out or cracked. In case it is fine, just clean it with a nice clean cloth. If damaged, try to replace it with a new one. Remove the cartridge by unscrewing it. In case it is damaged, bring the cartridge to the nearest hardware store and buy a replacement.

If the problem is only the gasket, you do not have to replace the entire cartridge but this specific part only. Return all the various parts of the faucet and sink in the reverse order you removed them. Turn the main water switch on. Expect a no-drip faucet and a fully functional sink.

Additional Tips and Other Helpful Information

In order to prevent screws and any part of the sink from going down the drain, put the drain stopper before working. When buying new gaskets, be sure to bring the old ones with you so that you can buy the right size of gaskets you need to fix the problem.

If the dripping sounds are starting to get your nerves, maybe it’s time you learn how to repair a dripping tap. The step by step instructions below will outline the process.

Required Tools and Materials

Wrench (crescent)
Pliers
Toothbrush
Gasket replacement

Step 1

Begin by turning off the water supply for the sink. This knob will either be below the sink or the pipe linking the toilet and the sink. Set the crescent wrench on the faucet’s head. That’s the last part where the water comes out of. Use the wrench to unfasten and remove the part.

Step 2

Look for the gasket. It looks like a flat donut. It should be in the component you removed. If it isn’t there, look at the part it was connected to. Take off the gasket.

Step 3

The best way to repair a dripping tap is by examining the area for dirt first. Look at the section where you removed the pieces. Use the toothbrush or another cleaning tool to remove grime. Clean the faucet head too.

Step 4

Install your new gasket on the faucet head. Be certain that it is flat. Screw the head onto the faucet. Take care so that the gasket doesn’t get stuck on the grooves. Fasten it with the crescent until it is completely snug.

Step 5

Turn on the water supply. Open the faucet and let water run for half a minute. Shut it. There should be no more dripping.

Fixing Bathtub Faucet Leaks

The instructions below will help you repair a dripping tap in the bathtub. Almost always the cause is a dilapidated rubber washer.

Required Tools and Materials

Pliers
Screwdrivers
New rubber washer

Step 1

Turn off the water valve. Turn on the faucet in the bathtub.

Step 2

Take off the middle cap that is on the knobs (these are the “cold” and “hot”). You’ll need to utilize the pliers. The center knob will come off. There should be a screw in the center. Remove the screw. Take out the handle.

Step 3

Separate the two faucet components. The rubber washer will be on one of the two. To repair a dripping tap, take off the washer. Use the screwdriver if necessary.

Step 4

Put in the new rubber washer. Follow these steps in reverse to put the faucet back together. Turn on the water valves. Check the faucet; there should be no more leaks.

Tips and Warnings

Clean the workspace so you don’t lose any of the screws or bolts. If you need to buy gaskets or rubber washers, take the old one to the shop. This will ensure you get the right replacement part. Wear gloves when you clean the faucet off dirt and grime. Get a set of screwdrivers and wrenches. This ensures you’ll be able to unfasten the faucet parts.

Knowing how to do some basic home repair can translate into savings. By knowing how to repair a dripping tap, you’ll save on both the costs of hiring a repairman and your water bill.

A stainless steel sink is a stylish and trendy home décor that can easily match the house. Likewise, it is also guaranteed to match the modern design of home appliances, most of which feature classy steel appearance such as refrigerators and microwave ovens. If you wish to have a very nice-looking sink at home without spending too much, it is good to know how to install a stainless steel sink.

Materials Needed

Prepare a drain, a faucet and a new stainless steel sink. Likewise, prepare a caulk gun, a hole saw and a jigsaw for the purpose of cutting. Additionally, be sure to have a drill, a silicon caulk and garbage disposal flange while working on this moderately challenging task.

Steps

Before working on this moderately challenging project, you must be familiar with basic skills in plumbing. In case you do not know anything about it, try to seek help and guidance from a professional plumber in terms of water connections before you install the sink. Next thing to do is to determine the type of installation you like, whether it is a top mount or an under mount.

The advantage of an under mount sink is that nothing is caught at the lip when wiping liquids and debris off the top. On the other hand, the main advantage of a top mount is that there is no need for a special installation, which is perfect for customized tile countertops. The top mount style is appropriate for stainless steel sinks.

Put the finished countertop in place. After that, set the sink template. Manufacturers usually provide a pre-printed template. If there is none, cut the cardboard panel at the bottom or on top of the box of the sink. Put it on top of the countertop. On top of it, lay the sink in an upside down position and then get the pencil to trace its outline.

Get the jigsaw and then use it to cut the hole for the sink based on the template you have made earlier. Put the necessary connections including the faucets. Right after making all the necessary water connections, install the drain as well as the garbage disposal flange. Put the sink in place and then screw it tightly in place. At the rim below the sink, apply silicone caulk throughout the edges. Use a rag to remove excess caulk. Turn on the main water line and then check if the newly installed sink is functioning properly.

Additional Tips and Other Helpful Information

When performing this task, do not forget the backsplash. Do this by leaving enough distance between the rear wall and the sink. Measure the sink twice in order to prevent mistakes, which can actually make the task even longer than expected.

Jamming and clogging are among the common malfunctions that plague the garbage disposal. Fortunately, learning how to fix a garbage disposal isn’t too complicated. For safety, just remember to turn the disposal’s power off at the breaker before repairs. Also, take out the splashguard for better access through the drain.

A garbage disposal can jam when objects such as kitchen utensils or anything else fall into its splashguard and get stuck in it. To take care of this, look into the hole with a flashlight to find the object and pull it out, perhaps using metal tongs. If one is unable to remove the object using the tongs, one may use a broom handle or a special turning tool if it is available. Afterwards, the power is turned on at the breaker, cold water is streamed and the disposal is turned on again to see if it is working properly.

Also known as an Allen wrench or jam wrench, the special turning tool comes with most garbage disposals and is designed specifically to fit through the hole at the bottom of the disposal. If one’s disposal does not come with a jam wrench, it can be purchased in practically any hardware store. To use it, once the hole has been located with a flashlight, the turning tool is inserted into it and the disposal is turned back and forth so that the jam will be loosened. Once done, turn on the power at the breaker, stream cold water, and try turning on the disposal again.

A clogged garbage disposal can be caused by food matter that infrequently builds up in the drain. One may use drain cleaner to fix the problem. But if this does not work, put a bucket under the drain, and then slacken the fittings on the P-trap using a pipe wrench. The P-trap is removed, after which one locates the clog so that it can be cleaned off. If it turns out the clog isn’t in the P-trap, one will have to slip an auger or snake into the drain to release the clog.

If a garbage disposal ceases to turn, this is usually because it had sensed a power overload and had shut off automatically. As a safety measure, allow the disposal to cool down for a few moments. Once it has cooled, press its reset button (disposals usually have one on their underside), stream cold water, then try to turn the disposal on once more. If the problem persists, examine the cord or the wiring. Call in an electrician if the trouble is way more than one can handle.

In order to prevent jams, clogs and other problems from occurring, a garbage disposal should be properly maintained. The disposal’s blades would eventually get dull with time, and one can sharpen them by feeding ice into the disposal. Some have suggested feeding glass, chicken bones and a bunch of other stuff to sharpen disposal blades, but these are not recommended.

One must also refrain from feeding the garbage disposal with stringy vegetables like celery, or food with husks like corn, in order to prevent jamming. Grease poured into the drain can also cause clogging. To flush it out, run hot water into the drain for a few minutes. Learning how to fix a garbage disposal may not be very hard. But good disposal maintenance would ensure that one would not have to go through all that trouble.

If you have a dripping faucet or leaking tap then it can mean either of two things. First is that you may have a washer that just needs to be replaced. The second is a bit worse since it may be that your valve seating is damaged and will need some repairs. Take note that if ever you find that the leak is at the nozzle then you just need to change your washers. We’ll walk you through the steps to repair a leaking tap.

Remove Your Tap’s Headgear

The first step to repair a leaking tap is to turn off the water at the service valve. You don’t want to take the faucet off and spew out a lot of water. Be sure to turn the tap on fully as you shut the water off from the service valve and put the plug into the drain hole.

The next step is to unscrew the spindle off your tap, which will eventually expose what is called the retaining screw. Check if you will need a Philips or a flat head screw driver for the retaining screw. Remove the retaining screw and you’ll have your tap’s head removed. This will work with non-rising spindles, which means you’ll use a different method for a rising spindle type of tap.

If you are dealing with a rising spindle type of tap then your first move is to pry off the index disc located at the center of your tap’s handle. Now you can view the retaining screw and take it off. Remove the metal shroud off the headgear using an adjustable spanner. Next, remove the headgear nut using your adjustable spanner. If the nut proves to be a tough one to turn use penetrating oil. Now you can proceed to replacing your tap washer.

Replacing Your Washer

One of the ways you can repair a leaking tap is by replacing the washer. With the headgear removed you can take the washer off. You need to remove the nut that holds the washer down. Once that is taken off you can pry off the washer and replace it with a new one.

Repairing the Valve

Once you have the washer removed you may easily proceed to inspect the valve. This is a necessary step to repair a leaking tap. Inspect the valve seat and check for any form of damage. If the seal of the valve seat is damaged, then replacing the washer will do very little to get rid of the leak.

If that is the case you will have to purchase a washer seating set. You can get one in any hardware store. It will usually come with a part that fits into your broken valve seat and is sold with a washer and a jumper valve. The entire set will fit into your tap’s headgear. The last step to repair a leaking tap is to reassemble your tap until you fit everything back in place. Once everything is installed you have to give it a few days for the seating set to get reseated smoothly.