How to Remove Water Stopper from Sink: A Complete Guide

Have you ever noticed that your sink is draining slower than usual or not at all? If so, you may have a problem with your water stopper. A water stopper is the part of the sink that controls the water flow in and out of the drain. It is usually circular and made of metal, and it can be lifted or lowered by a lever near the faucet.

The water stopper can sometimes get clogged or damaged by the hair, soap scum, mineral deposits, or other debris. This can affect the drainage and cause water to back up in your sink. Not only is this annoying and unsanitary, but it can also lead to more serious plumbing issues if left untreated.

Fortunately, removing a water stopper from the sink is not a difficult task. You can do it yourself with some essential tools and techniques. This article will show you how to remove the water stopper from the sink by hand, with pliers, or with a plunger. We will also show you how to clean and prevent water-stopper problems in the future.

By following this guide, you can save money, time, and hassle by removing the water stopper yourself. You will also improve your sink drainage and prevent further damage to your plumbing system. Let’s get started!

How to Remove a Water Stopper by Hand

Some water stoppers can be removed by hand without any tools or techniques. This is the easiest and quickest way to remove a water stopper from the sink. Here’s how to do it:

• Lift and twist the stopper: Grab it with your hand and lift it slightly. Then, twist it counterclockwise until it comes loose from the drain.
• Pull out the stopper: Pull it out of the drain once it is loose. You may need to wiggle it a bit if it gets stuck.
• Check for gunk and debris: Look at the bottom of the stopper and see if any gunk or debris is attached. This could be hair, soap scum, mineral deposits, or other things that can clog your sink. If there is any gunk or debris, you must clean it before putting the stopper back in place or replacing it with a new one.

How to Remove a Water Stopper with Pliers

Some water stoppers require pliers to remove them from the drain. This is because they are attached to a lever mechanism that controls their movement. You must access this mechanism under the sink and disconnect it from the stopper.

Here’s how to do it:

• Turn off the water supply: Before working under your sink, you need to turn off the water supply to avoid leaks or accidents. You can locate the water supply valve under your sink and turn it clockwise until it stops.
• Locate the stopper lever: Find the lever controlling the water stopper on your sink or countertop. It is usually near the faucet handles and resembles a small metal rod that goes into a hole. Turn this lever to the open position so that the stopper is lifted.
• Use pliers to grasp and twist the stopper: Go under the sink and use a flashlight to see what you are doing. You will see a horizontal rod that connects the lever to the stopper. This rod goes through a strap, a piece of metal with holes. Use pliers to grasp the end of the stopper that sticks out of the drainpipe. Then, twist it counterclockwise before pulling it up.
• Remove the metal clip: To disconnect the horizontal rod from the strap, remove the metal clip that holds it together. The clip looks like a U-shaped wire that goes around the rod and into one of the holes on the strap. Use your fingers or pliers to pull this clip and set it aside. Remember the hole the rod was in, or take a photo.

How to Remove a Water Stopper with a Plunger

Some water stoppers may get stuck in the drain and need a plunger to free them. This is because they are jammed by gunk or debris that prevents them from moving. You must use a plunger to create suction and force them out of the drain. Here’s how to do it:

• Turn off the water supply: As before, you need to turn it off to your sink before working on it. Locate the water supply valve under your sink and turn it clockwise until it stops.
• Fill your sink with enough water: You need water to create suction with your plunger. Fill your sink with enough water to cover the drain but not overflow.
• Place a plunger over the drain: Get a regular plunger with a flat rubber cup at one end and a wooden handle at the other. Place this plunger over your drain to form a tight seal around it.
• Pump up and down several times: Hold your plunger firmly and pump it up and down with force. This will create suction and pressure that will dislodge your water stopper from below.
• Pull out the plunger: Pull it out quickly after pumping for a few seconds and see if your water stopper pops out with it. If not, repeat this process until it does.

How to Clean a Water Stopper

Once you have removed the water stopper from the sink, you must clean it thoroughly before putting it back in place or replacing it with a new one. This will prevent future clogs and improve your drainage performance. Here’s how to clean your water stopper:

• Pull off any gunk or debris by hand: The first step is to remove any gunk or debris attached to your water stopper. This could be hair, soap scum, mineral deposits, or other things that can clog your sink. Use gloves if you don’t want to touch these things directly.
• Run warm or hot water over your water stopper: The next step is to run warm or hot water over your water stopper to rinse any remaining gunk or debris. You can do this in another sink or a bucket or bowl.
• Wash with soap: The third step is washing your water stopper with soap or detergent to remove grease or dirt. You can use regular dish soap or bathroom cleaner for this purpose.
• Use vinegar: The fourth step is optional but recommended to disinfect and deodorize your water stopper. You can use vinegar for this purpose, as it is natural and effective at killing germs and removing odors. Soak your water stopper in vinegar for 15 minutes before rinsing it off.
• Rinse and dry: The final step is to rinse off any soap or vinegar residue from your water stopper with clean water and dry it with a towel or cloth.

How to Prevent Water Stopper Problems

Now that you know how to remove and clean a water stopper from the sink, you may want to take some preventive measures to help you avoid these problems.

Here are some tips that can help you maintain or improve your sink drainage:

• Use a drain strainer: A drain strainer is a simple device that fits over your drain opening and catches any hair or debris that may fall into it. This way, you can prevent these things from reaching your water stopper and causing clogs. You can buy drain strainers online or at any hardware store for cheap.
• Clean your sink regularly: Another tip is to clean your sink regularly with soap or detergent and warm or hot water. This will help remove any grease or dirt that may accumulate on your sink surface and around your drain opening. You can also use vinegar or baking soda for extra cleaning power.
• Avoid harsh chemicals: A third tip is to avoid using harsh chemicals such as bleach or ammonia on your sink, as they can damage your pipes and fixtures over time. They can also corrode your metal water stoppers, making them more prone to breaking or leaking.
• Use drain cleaners sparingly: A fourth tip is to use them sparingly, as they can harm your pipes and fixtures if used too often or incorrectly. Drain cleaners are helpful for clearing minor clogs but not for major ones that require professional attention. Follow the instructions on the label carefully when using drain cleaners, and don’t mix different types.

Tips for Removing a Water Stopper from Sink

Before we end this article, we want to share some tips to help you remove the water stopper from the sink more easily and safely.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Wear gloves: Remove the water stopper from the sink, which can be dirty and messy. You may encounter gunk or debris that is unpleasant to touch or smell. We recommend wearing gloves when working on your sink to protect your hands and hygiene.
• Use a bucket or a bowl: When you remove the water stopper from the sink, you may cause some water to leak or spill from your drainpipe. To avoid making a mess or damaging your floor or cabinet, we suggest using a bucket or a bowl to catch any water that may come out.
• Take photos: If you are unsure how to reassemble your water stopper mechanism after removing it from the sink, you may want to take some photos before you start working on it. This way, you can refer to them later and make sure everything is in place correctly.
• Replace your water stopper if needed: Sometimes, your water stopper may be too damaged or worn out to be fixed or cleaned. In this case, you may want to replace it with a new one that fits your sink and drain. You can buy water stoppers online or at any hardware store for cheap.

How to Remove Water Stopper Problems for Good

Removing the water stopper from the sink is not hard if you know how to do it properly. However, if you want to avoid having this problem again in the future, you need to take care of your sink and prevent any clogs from forming.

Here are some tips that can help you prevent water stopper problems for good:

• Use less soap: Soap scum is one of the leading causes of clogs in sinks, as it can stick to your pipes and fixtures over time. To prevent this, use less soap when washing your hands or dishes and rinse well with hot water afterward.
• Use less oil: Oil and grease can also cause clogs in sinks as they can harden and block your pipes and fixtures over time. To prevent this, try using less oil when cooking or frying food and wipe off any excess oil with paper towels before washing them.
• Use fewer hair products: Hair products such as gel, spray, wax, etc., can also cause clogs in sinks as they can stick to your hair and fall into your drain over time. To prevent this, try using fewer hair products when styling your hair and brush off any excess products before washing them.

Final Thoughts

Removing the water stopper from the sink is not hard if you know how to do it properly. Depending on how it is attached to the drain, you can use your hand, pliers, or a plunger to remove the water stopper from the sink.

You can also clean your water stopper with soap, water, vinegar, or other cleaning agents to remove any gunk or debris that may cause clogs.

You can prevent water stopper problems by using a drain strainer, cleaning your sink regularly, avoiding harsh chemicals, and using drain cleaners sparingly.

This article has shown you how to remove the water stopper from the sink in a few easy steps. We hope this guide has been helpful and informative for you.

Thank you for reading!

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about removing the water stopper from the sink that you may find helpful.