How to Install a Kitchen Sink Drain

If you are considering installing a new sink drain, you’ll need to know how to properly connect the P-trap pipe and tailpiece. This piece of plumbing attaches the sink drain to the P-Trap and has corresponding attachment points. The P-trap pipe must fit tightly into the sink’s tailpiece. You can use slip nuts and washers to secure it. When installing the P-trap pipe, make sure that the tailpiece is not too long, and tighten the slip nut and tailpiece nut with large adjustable pliers.

  1. First, measure the space underneath the sink. This way, you can determine how much space you need to install your new sink drain. Ensure that the space is level before installing the drain. Also, make sure that the area is clean and free of any remnants of your old drain. Using a wrench, assemble the new drain. This should be done carefully to avoid a leak. While installing the new sink drain, make sure that you clean the area where the old drain was.
  2. Next, you need to place the strainer into the exposed sink drain. Press it firmly to create a seal. If you are replacing the old strainer, you can also use a new one. Just make sure that the new strainer fits the sink’s drain hole. You may want to purchase a strainer assembly kit to save yourself the trouble. It comes with all the pieces you need to replace the old sink drain.
  3. If you’ve never installed a sink drain, the process is easy. All you need is some tools and a good pair of gloves. These steps will take you an hour or two. Once you’ve finished, you’ll have an easy-to-follow guide and an understanding of how the various parts of the drain work together. After that, you’ll know how to install the new sink drain. The drain assembly will look much better than before!
  4. After you’ve assembled all of your tools, you should measure the length of the trap arm of the new sink. If it’s higher than 16 inches, it may be difficult to find a slope that matches. A shallow pan is useful for this purpose. A flat head screwdriver is also helpful in this process. For stubborn drain assemblies, you may want to use a hammer to loosen them.
  5. You must install the trap arm as per the plumbing code. This is the horizontal piece between the U-shaped bend of the trap. To ensure proper drainage, it should slope at about 1/4 inch per foot. Ideally, it should be lowered to 16 inches, but remember to follow your municipal plumbing codes. If you don’t follow the codes, you may be breaking the law. For safety, you should hire a professional.
  6. To begin the installation process, you must carefully remove the basket strainer. Then, you should insert the drainpipe with the help the drainpipe. Be careful not to push too hard, or you’ll damage the pipe. Make sure the pipes are disconnected properly. If you’re unable to remove the basket strainer, you can try applying the plumber’s putty to the threads. The plumber’s putty should be of equal diameter across the length of the pipe.
  7. Once you’ve removed the old drainpipe, the next step is to tighten the parts of the sink drain. You’ll need a wrench for this step, and you should apply gentle, consistent force to avoid damaging the parts. Fortunately, installing a kitchen sink drain is one of the most basic plumbing tasks you’ll ever have to do yourself. Using the right information, you can make this change yourself.
  8. Changing a sink drain may require you to hire a plumber to install a new one. The average fee for a plumber to install a new sink drain is between $500 and $800. This cost includes any pipework that must be rerouted, and removing fixtures, which can cost as much as $3,000! If you’re unsure whether you’re able to install a new sink drain, download the Home Depot Mobile App. This app allows you to identify sink trap tools and show similar items.