How to Remove a Sink Stopper

Before You Begin

When working with plumbing systems throughout the home, have a stack of cloths, towels, or rags readily available to clean up any water that may spill on the ground. Also, a small bucket is useful for catching water that might leak out of the pipe when disconnecting sections or parts of the plumbing system.

Clear space around the pipes beneath the bathroom sink before starting this project. Remove any items that are in the way, and put down a towel. Place a small bucket on top of the towel and position it to catch any dripping water while you work.

Tell anyone else in the home that the sink is unavailable so they don’t turn on the faucet while the drain system is disassembled.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

Pliers
Wrench
Bucket
Cloth or rag
Gloves
Flashlight

Materials

Liquid drain cleaner
White vinegar
Baking soda

Instructions

How to Remove a Bathroom Sink Stopper

Inspect and Remove the Stopper

There are two types of bathroom sink stoppers. The first is a twist-and-pull sink stopper designed for easy manual removal. Remove this type of stopper by gripping the top with your hand, lifting gently, and twisting.

If the stopper doesn’t come out easily with this method, it isn’t a twist-and-pull stopper. Instead, the sink stopper is connected to the drain by the plunger rod and clip assembly. You need to remove these components before the sink stopper can be removed, which is considerably more involved than lifting and twisting.

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Locate the Plunger Rod and Clip Assembly

If the sink stopper is not the twist-and-pull type, prepare the area under the sink with a cloth or towel and a bucket. Grab a flashlight and locate the plunger rod and clip assembly. The plunger rod is a horizontal piece of metal extending out from the pivot nut on the drain to a vertical metal strap.

The plunger rod is attached to the vertical metal strap with a metal clip. Take a picture of the assembly for reference so you know which strap hole the rod is fitted through for reassembly. Remove the clip to disconnect the plunger rod from the metal strap.
Remove the Pivot Nut

The pivot nut is the part of the sink stopper assembly attached directly to the drain line. Position the bucket under the pivot nut, and then use a set of pliers or a wrench to unscrew and remove the pivot nut.

Place the pivot nut aside in a safe location with the metal clip. Having a set area to keep these parts prevents problems or confusion when reinstalling the sink stopper.
Pull Out and Clean the Sink Stopper

With the horizontal rod and pivot nut removed, you should be able to pull out the sink stopper by hand.

The bathroom sink stopper is likely covered in hair, toothpaste, and other gunk, so wearing a pair of disposable gloves is a good idea.

Remove as much of the grime as possible by hand, and then run the stopper under warm water in the tub or at a nearby sink. After rinsing most of the gunk off the stopper, use soap to scrub away any remaining grime. Rinse the stopper once more.

Put the bathroom sink stopper aside with the other parts of the sink stopper assembly and inspect the drain. If there are problems with clogs or slow draining, this is a good opportunity to clean the drain.
Clear the Drain

A clogged drain can cause a lot of problems. Partial clogs prevent the water from draining quickly and can gradually collect more debris over time, leading to a full clog. When the drain is fully clogged, even water doesn’t pass through, so the sink cannot be used until the problem is resolved.

After removing the sink stopper, thoroughly clean the drain, even if it isn’t clogged. This helps prevent grime from building up on the inside of the drain and reduces the risk of a clog forming.

You can use a brush to scrub the inside of the drain, but if there is a clog, use a manual drain snake to break it up and dislodge it. If possible, use the drain snake to pull the clog out of the drain, but if you cannot snag it, breaking up the clog is the next best option.

A commercial drain cleaner or a household solution of baking soda and vinegar can help clear away any lingering residue on the inside of the drain line. If you use a commercial drain cleaner, read and follow the directions provided by the manufacturer.

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If you opt for the baking soda and vinegar method, start by pouring the baking soda into the drain and then pour the vinegar. The foaming solution will clean the inside of the drain but may also pour out of the hole left by the pivot nut, so make sure the bucket is positioned under the pivot nut to catch any water or cleaning solution. Finish the job by turning on the water to rinse away any excess cleaning solution.

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Reinstall the Sink Stopper

After the drain is clear and the sink stopper is clean, it’s time to reinstall the bathroom sink stopper assembly. Start by sliding the sink stopper back into position and then go back under the sink to reattach the pivot nut.

Tighten the plunger rod at the pivot nut and slide the other end of the rod into the hole on the vertical strap. Place it in the same hole that it was removed from to restore normal functionality. Secure the connection with the metal clip.

Turn on the faucet and run some water to make sure everything is working correctly and there aren’t any leaks.