Fixing a Slip-Fit Sink Drain

Whether you have a drain that’s popped off or an old chrome drain that’s finally corroded, knowing how to do a basic sink repair will save you time and money. Drains from a sink are not under an appreciable amount of pressure, so slip-fit drains have become the norm. These drains are assembled using parts that simply tighten down on one another, with some parts that slip over and allow for some movement, and can be easily repaired by yourself.

Remove Old Fitting

The first step in replacing the drain is to remove the old drain component. If your drain simply fell off, there is no need for this step. Loosen and unscrew the collars on the part that broke, and remove the plastic tapered ring, which just slide on. Remove the threaded nuts now that they are free. Measure the diameter of these pipes to find the right fitting to match up to the existing pipes, and find a replacement drain that matches. If they are too tight to remove by hand, you can use an adjustable wrench. Just be sure not to crush the pipe underneath, but if you’re replacing a corroded fitting, it’s possible the threaded ring may break or deform no matter what you do, and may be beneficial for removal.

Attaching New Fitting

Disassemble the collar on the fitting to be attached. The threaded portion goes on first, followed by the tapered plastic ring. Pay attention to which direction the taper goes. Typically, the narrow end goes into the fitting. Next, slide the pipe with the tapered and threaded ring into the fitting. After this, screw the threaded ring onto the fitting. Don’t tighten it at this time. Repeat these steps for the other side of the fitting if needed. There is some flex and play in the pipes, but don’t push it too far, and break something else trying to get both ends of the fitting attached. Once both sides of the fittings are attached, this style of fitting allows you to slide, or slip, the fitting around to find where the pipe fits the best. Traps need to dip below the outlet pipe from the wall and maintain some water to form an airtight seal from sewer gasses. Finally, once in position, tighten down the fittings.

Final Notes

Slip fittings are designed to be easily disassembled and reattached, often without tools. Older-style chrome drains look better, but they don’t stand the test of time, and corrode over time. Another style of fitting is the accordion-style plastic fitting, but these are best avoided too, as the corrugations collect material and can encourage clogs to form. While at first it may be intimidating to see a pipe having fallen off or be completely corroded through, know it’s a relatively easy fix that can be solved by yourself.