How to Install a Pop-Up Drain

Disconnect the lift rod from the pivot rod. In many cases, there will be an adjustment strap or clevis strap — a flat piece with several holes — connecting the lift rod and pivot rod. You’ll need to remove the strap to take out the lift rod and pivot rod. Pull the lift rod out from the top of the faucet. Unscrew and remove the pivot rod from the drain assembly. You should now be able to easily lift the stopper from the drain.

Loosen the slip-joint nut securing the drain body to the flange or collar — the metal rim around the drain hole in the sink. Unscrew the drain body from the flange. Push the flange up from below the sink or pull it out from above. It’ll probably be sealed in place with putty, so you may need to work it back and forth or use a pair of pliers to pull it up and break the seal. Be careful to avoid damaging the sink. Once you remove the flange, clean away any putty and other debris.

Now, get the new drain assembly ready. Disconnect the pieces from each other so you can connect them to your faucet and sink. There will likely be a short section of pipe, also known as a tailpiece, screwed into the drain body. Check your product instructions. You may need to cut the tailpiece to the right length. If so, compare the new drain assembly to the old one, mark the new tailpiece and cut it to length with a hack saw. You should be able to remove the tailpiece from the drain body to trim it if you need to.

Before proceeding with the pop-up drain installation, position the drain body so the socket for the pivot rod faces the back of the sink. Tighten the slip-joint nut on the drain body to compress the gasket and seal the drain body to the flange. This will also tighten the flange against the sink. Use tongue-and-groove pliers if necessary to create a good seal, but don’t overtighten.

Place the drain stopper into the drain opening from above. From underneath the sink, fit the pivot rod through the socket at the back of the drain assembly. Then, connect the pivot rod to the bottom of the drain stopper and tighten the nut to secure the pivot rod in place in the drain assembly.

Now, you just need to place the lift rod and connect the pivot rod. Feed the lift rod through the hole behind the faucet. Attach the new adjustment strap to the lift rod. Then, connect the pivot rod to the adjustment strap using the included spring clip. Press down and pull up on the lift rod to the test the pop-up stopper. Move the pivot rod up or down on the adjustment strap or adjust the placement of the adjustment strap on the lift rod if you need to change the pop-up action.

Replace the P-trap, securing the slip-joint nuts to the new drain and the house plumbing. Turn the shut-off valves counterclockwise to reopen the water supply.

Now, make sure everything is in working order and perform a final test of the stopper. Pull up on the lift rod to close the drain and then fill the sink to test the seal. Push the lift rod down to break the seal and drain the sink. Adjust the position of the pivot rod as necessary for the drain to open and seal properly. Check for leaks at the connections under the sink and tighten the slip-joint nuts if they’re loose.