Sink stopper fixes are simple, require few or no materials, and use basic tools.
Before You Begin
Clear items from under the sink.
Drape a thick towel over the edge of thebathroom vanity cabinetfor comfort when working under the sink.
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Turn off the hot and cold water supply lines in case they become dislodged during the repairs.
Unscrew the Pop-Up Stopper
Turn the top of the pop-up stopper counter-clockwise to unscrew and remove it.
Doing this gives you access to the stopper shaft, without having to detach the stopper from below.
Note that not allpop-up stoppersunscrew from the top.
Tip
Some stoppers are single units that cannot be disassembled.
If the stopper top does not turn off with gentle pressure, stop turning.
Instead, remove the stopper from below.
Pick out hair and debris in the drain hole with a bent paperclip or needle-nose pliers.
The shaft is still attached, so do not give a shot to remove it.
Sometimes, the supply lines tangle with the assembly, hindering its movement.
Unclip the spring clip.
Slide the clevis strap off the horizontal pivot rod.
With pliers, unscrew the retaining nut from the pivot rod.
Pull the pivot rod straight out.
Remove the Sink Stopper
Remove the sink stopper from above the sink by pulling it straight up.
Clean it in warm, soapy water in a different sink.
Remove all hair and debris from the drain, too.
Reassemble the Sink Stopper
Reassemble the sink stopper assembly by reversing the previous steps.
Bend the flexible clevis strap back.
Fit the pivot rod through the clevis strap.
Attach the Spring Clip
Attach the pivot rod to the clevis strip with the U-shaped spring clip.
If you’re missing the clip, search the floor of the cabinet.
Replacement clips can be found online or at plumbing supply stores.
Tighten the thumb screw that holds the strap to the lifter rod.
Straighten a Bent Pivot Rod
Remove the pivot rod from the clevis strap.
Pivot rods sometimes become bent and need to be straightened out.
Bend the pivot rod straight by hand.
Tips
Pivot rods missing spring U-clips will continue to work, but not very well.
Fix this by adding a spring U-clip.
The ball joint should be solid, clean, and have no cracks.
Clean the ball joint if it is dirty or corroded.
Replace the entire pivot rod if the ball joint is damaged.
When to Call a Professional
Sink stopper repairs can be done by most homeowners.
