If the sink strainer of your kitchen is leaking, then it is an indication that you need to replace it. But no worries, you can do it yourself and no need to call a plumber. After reading this guide thoroughly from beginning to end… you will get complete confidence and be able to replace your kitchen sink strainer yourself. So, stay tuned.
Functions Of A Sink Strainer
The kitchen sink strainer is a pretty simple assembly for anyone to understand. Here is a basic discussion about it which will help you during replacing.
A sink strainer is a wastewater drainer used in the sink to let the wastewater flow from the sink to the main drain. However, it can also seal the drain to fill the sink with water.
Well, a kitchen sink strainer consists of several parts. First of all, you will notice a big bowl with threads outside and a flange at the bottom, which is the strainer. Inside the strainer, there is a basket with an elevated nut at its center. The basket also has a rubber gasket underneath it that will help you to seal the drain.
In addition, you will see two washers below the strainer. The black one is the rubber washer, and the other is the metal washer or sometimes cardboard. Finally, a locking nut tightens the washers with the strainer and completes the assembly. However, sometimes you will find a tailpiece nut with a washer at the bottom of the strainer.
Hopefully, all these parts match with the kitchen sink strainer you bought. Or, if you did not buy that yet, you can check our sink strainer. Our filter is made of pure brass with chrome-plated polishing. Do not worry about the price; we focus on quality more than price.
Guide To Replace A Kitchen Sink Strainer
Till now, you have the sink strainer in your hand and got enough knowledge to start replacing it. But before going into action, make sure you have these tools and materials:
1. An Adjustable Pliers
2. A Normal Pliers or Spanner
3. Plumbers Putty
You are ready to go now. Follow these steps consecutively to replace your kitchen sink strainer like a pro.
Step 1: Remove the Old Strainer from the Sink
Before installing the new one, you need to remove the old strainer from your kitchen sink. You can start by removing the tailpiece pipe of the p-trap. The pipe that connects the strainer and the trap bend of the p-trap is the tailpiece. You can remove it by loosening the slip nuts. But before remove it from the assembly, place a bucket to catch the stagnant water.
Now pick up your adjustable pliers and loosen the lock nut of your old strainer. If the nut is too sturdy to lose, you can apply some slippery oil to it. Even if it does not work, you may need to cut the nut to remove it.
After removing the nut, take off the washers if they are still sticking with the sink. Then gently pull out the filter from the top of your sink.
Step 2: Ready the Sink
The old one has been removed, but the sink is not ready for the new one. This is because the sink has a lot of dirt and old putty on it. Try to clean the putty leftover as much as possible using anything sharp. After that, scrub both sides around the sinkhole with a clean cloth or sponge to clean the area thoroughly.
Step 3: Disassemble the Strainer Parts
After making ready the sink, you will need to disassemble the sink strainer to install it:
- Unscrew the tailpiece nut (if any).
- Take off the washers along with the locking nut. Set apart the basket from the assembly without unscrewing its nut.
- Spread all these parts anywhere within your range.
Step 4: Apply Plumbers Putty
Now, take some plumbers putty and make a roll like a snake. Make it long enough to fit around your new strainer lip. Wrap the putty underside of the strainer lip and flatten it gently there with your thumbs. Or you can apply the putty around the sinkhole. It will work the same but do not apply too much.
Step 5: Place the Strainer in the Sink Hole
Install the putty-applied strainer into the sinkhole from the top. Make sure that it sits exactly at the center. Align it to bring to the center (if needs). After that, gently press it down so that the putty can cling to the sink surface.
Step 6: Join the Locking Nut and the Washers
Pick up both washers and the locking nut. Place the metal washer followed by the rubber washer on the locking nut. Now, go below the sink and screw up the nut with the body threads of the strainer.
Step 7: Make the Locking Nut Tighter
To make the locking nut tight, try to tighten it using the adjustable pliers. Sometimes, it is possible that while you are trying to tighten it, the strainer body moves also. So, take another plier or spanner and hold the base flange of the strainer from above the sink with one hand. And then try to tighten the nut with the other hand. But make sure not over to tighten the joint. After a good fit, scrape out the excess putty.
Step 8: Reattach the Tailpiece
Insert the new tailpiece nut followed by the washer into the tailpiece pipe. Then attach it to the base threads of the strainer by screwing up the nut. Finally, attach the separated p-trap parts with it in the reverse order to which you have divided them.
Step 9: Test the Strainer Properly
After all this, you can now set the basket at its place inside the strainer. Now, turn on the water supply and check if there are any leaks. For complete accuracy, firstly, fill the sink with water, then suddenly release it. The sudden pressure of the water will make the leaks more noticeable. If you see any leaks, try to tighten the nuts and apply some putty on there.
Hopefully, the whole process was easy for you. And yes, as you are thinking now, you can now replace the kitchen sink strainer yourself. So, go and get into the action. All the best.
