How To Adjust Bathroom Sink Drain Stopper

How to Adjust a Bathroom Sink Drain Stopper

A drain stopper is an essential part of any bathroom sink, preventing water from draining out when not needed. Over time, drain stoppers can become loose or misaligned, causing water to leak or the stopper to not seal properly. Adjusting a bathroom sink drain stopper is a simple task that can be completed in a few minutes with the right tools and a little bit of know-how.

Materials:

Adjustable wrench
Phillips screwdriver
New washer (optional)

Step 1: Remove the Stopper

Use the adjustable wrench to loosen the nut that holds the stopper in place. The nut is typically located on the underside of the sink. Once the nut is loose, you can remove the stopper by pulling it straight up.

Step 2: Inspect the Stopper

Once the stopper is removed, inspect it for any damage or wear. If the stopper is damaged, you may need to replace it. If the stopper is simply loose, you can tighten it by hand.

Step 3: Adjust the Lift Rod

The lift rod is the metal rod that connects the stopper to the lever that you use to open and close the drain. If the lift rod is too long, the stopper will not seal properly. If the lift rod is too short, the stopper will not open and close smoothly.

To adjust the lift rod, use the Phillips screwdriver to loosen the screw that holds the lift rod in place. Once the screw is loose, you can adjust the length of the lift rod by moving it up or down. Tighten the screw once the lift rod is adjusted.

Step 4: Reinstall the Stopper

Place the stopper back in the drain hole and tighten the nut until it is snug. Do not overtighten the nut, as this can damage the stopper or the sink.

Step 5: Test the Stopper

Turn on the water and check to make sure that the stopper is sealing properly. If the stopper is leaking, you may need to replace the washer. To replace the washer, simply remove the nut and lift the stopper out of the drain hole. Replace the old washer with a new one and reassemble the stopper.