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Tuesday, August 26, 2014

How to replace a sink strainer basket

    My kitchen sink strainer basket broke after many years of service. Installing a new one is a simple matter.



1)  Place a pan under the drain pipes to catch water and remove the drain pipe from the old basket.

Removing the drain pipes from the basket is simple with PVC

2)  Turn off the ring nut on the basket. Turn the lower,smaller diameter threads on the basket counter-clockwise with a channel-lock pliers. This will produce some slack to make the ring nut come off easier.

To remove the ring nut, use channel lock pliers and turn on the pipe threads
3)  Remove the old basket.
4)  Clean the basin opening where the new basket will go.
5)  Apply a small amount of plumbers putty to the upper surface of the basin where the basket goes.  Rolling it into a ¼ inch diameter string works well. Press the putty around the inner diameter of the upper basin opening.


6)  Center the basket in the opening  from above.
7)  Turn the large nut on hand tight from underneath. Remove any excess putty that may ooze out from above as it is tightened.
8)  This might be a good time to clean out any buildup from the inside of the drain pipe while it is removed.
9)  Put new Teflon tape on the threads of the basket and the junction where the drain pipe meets the down pipe.
10)   Reattach the drain pipe and hand tighten if using pvc.
11) Test for leaks

10 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. This article is going to be a big help to me in a few days. I think I need to replace the strainer basket in my sink. These step by step instructions on just how to do that are very straight forward and are very clear. Thanks for the article. http://filters-strainers.com/StrainerBags.html

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  3. This article is going to be a big help to me in a few days. I think I need to replace the strainer basket in my sink. These step by step instructions on just how to do that are very straight forward and are very clear. Thanks for the article. http://filters-strainers.com/StrainerBags.html

    ReplyDelete
  4. This article is going to be a big help to me in a few days. I think I need to replace the strainer basket in my sink. These step by step instructions on just how to do that are very straight forward and are very clear. Thanks for the article. http://filters-strainers.com/StrainerBags.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad you can make some use of this post.Thanks for the comment.

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  5. David, I have the same strainer that you have in the video (not the usual type, and it costs about 3 times what a regular strainer costs). I've only had it about 2 years, and the little twisty handle to open the drain cracked and broke in my hand - I thought it was all stainless steel!?! It had a little screw on the top, under the twisty handle, and I took the strainer out. Well, a long post is sticking up in the middle of the drain (higher than the sink bottom) and the half-sink of water will not drain. (so hard to explain this!). I don't know what to do to get the water to drain, or what that post was supposed to do - it doesn't come out. What a rip-off!! Can you look at yours and tell me how to get the water to drain out?

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    Replies
    1. The disk under the strainer must still be intact and sealing the drain. You are going to have to turn that post out of the drain basket. This is all one piece with the disk and the threaded part that turns into the basket. I would try a vice grip or channel lock pliers. It should come out without too much torque needed. I see what you mean, that top turning part is plastic. Nice. Good luck!

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  6. I did eventually bale the water out of the sink :) And, I basically did what you said before I got your response, so now the drain is open. I'm left with the drain made for the "turn & break" basket strainer. I've investigated and you can't just buy the basket strainer to replace; you have to buy the whole $14 thing again. I bought a regular strainer basket ($2.00)and fit it into that drain. It's held water for 2 days now - so I guess I'll just use that. Thanks for your help - I figured it might happen to you eventually, too!

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    Replies
    1. Oh, I'm sure I'll get see this too. I have the exact same style on my other sink and the turning lever is metal. It has lasted forever. This one won't. Thanks for the comment and I hope your replacement holds up!

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  7. One of those fixtures is the sink. The sink is often almost overlooked and almost always under-appreciated.intex purespa plus portable hot tub

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