Pop-up Drain

PartⅠ: The Overview of the Pop-up Drain

What is a pop-up waste drain?

When it comes to designing a bathroom, people tend to overlook the choice of fixtures. For instance, the pop-up drain is more functional. The previous pop-up drain stopper is out of style. Thus, it is necessary to choose a practical and durable pop-up drain. The pop-up waste is a simple mechanism. It seals the sink or tub by moving the drain plug up and down through a connection with levers. Although they look complicated, it is easy to repair pop-up drains.

What are the parts of a pop-up drain?

The pop-up mechanism includes a filtering seat, a drainage cover rubber ring, a water filtering cover, a seal, and a bouncing movement. The water filter seat is installed in the main body of the faucet through the rubber ring. Besides, it is provided with an upper and lower water flow channel. The pop-up movement is clamped and fitted in the water flow channel of the water filter seat. There is a filter cover fixed on the top of the bounce movement. The seal is placed on the bounce movement under the corresponding filter cover. So, it can move up or down with the pressing action of the bounce movement. It is easy to open or block the water flow channel of the water filter seat.

What are the different types of pop-up waste drains?

1. Pop-up waste drain (press and seal drain): It is easy to operate by pressing down the sink drain stopper.

2. Pop-up drain with lift rod: There is a lift rod located behind the faucet. The rod is connected to the drain underneath the washbasin. It will pull up and down to control the opening and closing of the pop-up waste.

3. Twist and turn drain: A small handle to swivel, realizing open and close. Press the drain cover to open the sink drain stopper. And flip it back to the closed state. This type of pop-up waste is easy to install.

4. Grid or strainer drain: It is a pop-up drain with a strainer. Also, it allows water to flow all the time without closing function.

5. Chain and plug drain: The chain and plug drain should be operated manually with a basket. The small basket can prevent other big items from falling into the drain.

What are the pros and cons of the pop-up drain?

The pop-up waste drain is easy to clean up. Bounce can filter impurity, such as hair, on the bouncer. Also, you can pick it up and clean it at any time. In this way, impurities cannot enter the drain plug to cause blockage, such as where you wash your hair. But, the downsides of a pop-up drain stopper are also obvious. It has a short lifespan. Besides, its pop-up mechanism is fragile.

How to operate a pop-up sink waste

The pop-up drain is for water storage and drainage. It can bounce back and forth through the middle spring core when pressing the cover with hands. Or, a lift knob or lever is usually located near the faucet. It can control the opening and closing. Attach to the pivot rod and ball assembly via a small spring clip. The pivot rod goes through a rubber pivot ball and slopes up to the tail of the stopper. The spring-pulled rocker arm lifts and lowers the stopper. Push down on the knob and lift the lever so that the pivot lever pushes the stopper up. This style of pop-up waste consists of a spring and a specific carbon core structure. If the water pressure is high, the strength of the core may not be able to bounce.

Pop-up Drain vs. Click Clack Drain

The mere difference between the pop-up and click-clack drain lies in the open mode. That is, the different opened and closed ways of the drainage plug. For click-clack drain, when the drain opens, it makes a “clack” sound. If the drain pops down, it makes a “click” sound. As for the pop-up drain, it needs to lift a lever behind the faucet. Thus, operating up and down to control its opening and closing.

PartⅡ: The Operation Guide of the Pop-up Drain

How to install a sink pop-up drain

Step1. Preparation Area

Remove excess water from the sink. The last thing you want to do is open the drain valve. There will always be some water in the sewer. Thus, put a bucket under the sink to remove water.

Step2. Remove Old Drains

First, unscrew the lift lever and take it out. Now with a pair of pliers, grab the lock nut and loosen it. The lock nut is near the top of the trap. With the lock nut loosened, push up on the assembly and wiggle it around to loosen everything up. The remaining water will then overflow. Go back to the top of the sink and unscrew the pop-up ring.

Step3. Install New Drain Flange

Clean out caulk or putty around drain holes. Put putty around the chrome ring on the bottom of the new flange on top. Some components will have a rubber gasket. Or you can also use silicone sealant.

Step4. Prepare the Bottom Assembly

First, put the plumbing putty on the rubber gasket on the bottom assembly. This will ensure you get a well-sealed bottom sink. Push the bottom assembly up to the bottom of the sink until the rubber gasket seals well.

Then, thread the top flange into the bottom assembly. The top does not have to be too tight. The important thing is that it is concatenated, not cross-threaded. Use a wrench or pliers to tighten the lock nut on the bottom. Excess putty will squeeze out between the ring and the surface of the sink. Wipe it clean with a rag.

Step5. Install the Stopper

Tuck the plug onto the top of the drain. Also, make sure the hole is facing the back of the sink. Again, back to the bottom. The rest of the stopper unit consists of a ball and a stick. Put the ball inside the nut and thread it into the tube. Make sure the device is working properly by pushing the lever. It is going to check that the drain tube moves up and down. If it does, tighten the nut. If not, move the plug until it hits the connecting rod.

Step6. Set up the Pop-up Lever

A pop-up lever controls the position of the drain plug. It is usually placed behind the faucet. Feed the lever through the hole in the sink. It needs to connect the horizontal rod with the vertical rod. Press the lever at the top and see if the drain plug moves with it.

How to fix a sink drain stopper

For many reasons, water may leak from the sink. The culprit is usually a buildup of hair around the pop-up stopper or lever mechanism. In many sinks, there is a good chance that hair and debris will accumulate around the pop-up waste. As a result, a large number of impurities can clog the drains. In this case, you will need to remove the plug to clean it. Under slightly clogged conditions, you might be able to pull it out. Yet you have to go under the sink to operate. You must first remove the retaining nut. Then pull out the pivot lever. Turn the stopper and remove it from the pivot rod.

Here are some tips for dealing with the water blockage of the sink drain stopper. Examine the sink drain stopper assembly and ejection lever. First, use a pair of pliers to grab the threaded rod onto the lock nut and loose. If the lock nut is a little loose when assembling and swinging, there will be residual water overflowing. Go back to the top sink and unscrew the pop. Then remove the front ring, and pop out the bottom. Ready to install the new pop-up waste.

How to remove a bathtub drain stopper

Remove the bathtub drain stopper. Thus, it is easy to check for mechanical problems or blockages. The removal steps are as follows:

Step1.Grab the body of the stopper and pull it out with the swing arm of the hinge.

Step2.Removes impurities, such as hair, from plugs.

Step3.Check the rubber seal. Replace if damaged. Remove the damaged seal and replace it with a new one if it is necessary.

Step4.Reinstall the stopper and swingarm. Make sure the flanges are tight and in good shape.

How to fix a bathtub pop-up drain stopper

A common problem with bathtubs is that the pop-up drain stopper does not close completely. The drain flange fits tightly or opens easily when a lever is engaged. The bathtub drain stopper has a two-part mechanism. First, the stop arm with the rocker arm extends towards the drain. And the second is the overflow assembly. A spring rod is raised by a lever. When you flip the overflow lever, it pushes the lever against the rocker arm of the stopper. Then lift the stopper. Flip the lever and lift the lever to allow the bathtub drain stopper to drop.

Adjust the overflow assembly and remove the screws securing the overflow cover. Besides, pull the plate and lever out of the overflow hole. Adjust the nut to extend or shorten the rod assembly to raise the stopper and lower it. Then, push back and replace the cover. Adjust the stopper to lift it up with the swingarm. Check the rubber seals and replace them if one is damaged. Cleans hair and debris. Also, adjust the nut on its underside to shorten or lengthen its connection to the swingarm. Then screw the arm and plug it back into the hole to ensure the flange is intact.

In a nutshell, the steps are as follows:

Step1.Remove the screws to secure the overflow cover.

Step2.Move the pull plate and lever away from the overflow hole. Also, partially pull out the mechanism.

Step3.Adjust the nut to lift the plug or shorten it to lower it.

Step4.Push the assembly back and replace the cover.

Step5.Lift the plug and swingarm. Check the seal, and remove hair as well as debris.

PartⅢ: FAQ

Q1: How to deal with the leakage of the water pipe under the sink?

A1: First, fill the sink with an appropriate amount of water. Then open the drain valve. First, check whether the pipe is leaking or the water valve is leaking. Resolutely replace the water valve, and do not twist by hand when installing. Use special clamps, or it is easy to twist the threads in the water valve.

Q2: What are the different types of bathtub drain stoppers?

A2: There are ordinary, rotating, and pop-up types of bathtub drain stoppers. The direction of drainage is vertical and horizontal.

Q3: What should I do if the bathtub drain is blocked?

A3: The water valve can be closed first. Then put an appropriate amount of water in the bathtub. Put the plunger on the bathtub drain valve. While opening the drain valve, smother the bathtub overflow hole. Then, press up and down quickly. In this way, dirt, hair, or grease can be sucked out. In the case of severe blockage, you can repeat it several times until it is clear.

Q4: What are the pros and cons of a pop-up drain emitter?

A4: The advantage of the pop-up drain emitter is that it is able to drain with a gentle press. The pop-up drain can isolate the dirt through the filter screen at the water inlet. Also, it will not be discharged into the drain. But, at the same time, it is easy for dirt to accumulate in the water inlet. Besides, it is easy to block if it is not cleaned in time. Besides, after long-term use, the pressing position is prone to age. Also, the drainage will not flow smoothly.