If you have old metal drain pipes covered in rust, you should consider replacing them. Check the rusted areas for leaks since this is commonly where they’re found. If the drain pipe itself isn’t leaking, plug the sink, fill it with water, and wait 5-10 minutes. Run a clean tissue around the underside of the sink where it meets the metal sink drain, which is also known as a sink strainer. That might be the source of the leak. [2] X Research source
If you’re dealing with a very small leak, you may be able to fix it by applying clear silicone around the whole connection where the strainer meets the sink.
Clear away any plumber’s putty residue around the rim of the sink opening.
Clear away excess putty in the sink with your fingers, a plastic putty knife, and a wet rag. Test the new sink strainer by once again filling the sink, waiting several minutes, then dabbing a tissue around the connections.
If you happen to have a shop vac it will be easier to remove the water with it instead. Many times you may even be able to unclog the drain by holding the nozzle close to the drain as you suck out the water. If you have a garbage disposal, make sure it isn’t the cause of the clog before moving on.
Put the stopper into the drain opening so the combination expands downward. Block both openings if it’s a double sink.
Dissolve salt into your boiling water to make it more effective.
If you have a double sink, plug up the other side with a wet rag. Or, you can do the same process on both sides with two plungers, with a friend or with both your hands holding a plunger.
Add more hot water if it slowly drains away as you work. Keep plunging until the drain is clear or you decide it’s time to try a new method.
Loosen the nuts that connect the drain pipe, including the curved trap, at the sink drain and near the wall or floor. Use your hands for PVC connections or a pipe wrench for metal connections. Place a bucket beneath the drain pipe to catch any water that leaks out.
For mobile homes and some older homes that don’t have shut off valves, you may need to turn off the water for the whole house.
A ball faucet has a free-moving ball (usually rubber) that seats in a metal socket, similar to your shoulder or hip joint. A cartridge faucet has a cylindrical mechanism (the “cartridge”) that will pull out in one piece. A ceramic disk faucet contains a shorter cylinder with several neoprene sealing rings on its underside.
That said, there’s no shame in calling a plumber if you’re not sure what you’re dealing with!
If you have a garbage disposal, shut of the power to it at your main breaker panel before your start loosening any pipes or supply lines.
Unplug the disposal, or, if it’s hard-wired, disconnect the electrical wiring to remove the disposal completely. You may also choose to lay it in the bottom of the cabinet until it’s time for re-installation.
Use a screwdriver to remove all the clips or brackets. Removing an undermount requires a second set of hands to hold the sink up as you remove the clips. Recruit a buddy or put your teen to work! If the undermount sink is installed in granite countertops, it may be held up with an epoxy. In this case, first make sure the sink is supported by wood braces below it and cut the epoxy where the sink meets the countertop with a linoleum knife. If this is too difficult, a heat gun may help to soften it.
You can pop up a top-mount sink and lift it out yourself, but this is also much easier with a helper.
Be very careful with the blade or knife if you’re keeping the countertops — if you’re not, don’t worry about it!
However, you will have to install a new faucet yourself. But with the product instructions and a little faucet installation help from wikiHow, you’ll be all set! Likewise, you’ll probably need to install a new sink strainer, but you can handle that too!
