How to Remove a Bathroom Sink Stopper

We've all been there - dealing with a slow drain, replacing a sink stopper, or just completing a little maintenance - removing a sink stopper seems like a complicated task at first but is actually a straightforward DIY project that anyone can tackle with ease... phew!

It's important to understand each step to ensure the removal and replacement process goes smoothly. That's why popcork™ has created a step-by-step guide on how to easily remove a sink stopper. 

To remove a bathroom sink stopper, follow our guide below.

Step 1: Attempt to Remove the Stopper from Above

The first step is to try removing the stopper directly from the sink:

• Push down the lever behind your faucet to pop up the stopper.

• Twist the stopper to the left and pull it upward. Some stoppers will lift out easily at this point.

• If the stopper doesn’t come out easily, don’t worry! The next steps will take you under the sink.

Step 2: Secure the Stopper in Place

Before heading under the sink, secure the stopper to prevent it from falling into the drain:

• Wedge a compressible object, like a small cloth or towel, between the stopper and the drain. This will hold it in place, making it easier to work with later.

• Be careful not to wedge too much under the stopper - just enough to prevent it from dropping into the drain. If the object is too rigid or there's too much of it, it could cause issues in later steps.

Step 3: Clear the Area Under the Sink

Now it’s time to move under the sink to access the stopper mechanism:

• Clear out any items under the sink that might block access to the drain assembly.

• Locate the vertical pipe leading up to the sink drain and the lever assembly behind it. The drain pipe is typically made of white PVC plastic.

Step 4: Identify the Pivot Rod and Pivot Nut

Next, locate the key components that connect the stopper to the lever mechanism:

• Find the pivot rod - a horizontal metal rod attached to the lever assembly. It connects the drain pipe and sink stopper via a pivot nut, which is typically plastic or metal.

• The pivot rod fits into one of the holes in the lever assembly, allowing the stopper to move up and down when you operate the sink lever from above.

Note: While looking under the sink, you can move the sink lever up and down from above. This will make the lever assembly and pivot rod move, helping you locate them more easily.

Step 5: Prepare for Potential Water Leaks

Before unthreading any parts, take precautions to handle potential water leakage:

• Place a bucket or bowl under the pivot nut to catch any water that might drip out while you’re working.

Step 6: Loosen the Pivot Nut

With everything in place, it’s time to disconnect the pivot rod from the drain pipe and sink stopper:

• Ensure the stopper is in the closed position (lever up). Unthread the pivot nut by turning it clockwise (facing it from the front). You can do this by hand, but if it’s too tight, use a pair of pliers.

• As you loosen the pivot nut, hold the stopper from the top to prevent it from moving, especially if you haven’t secured it.

Step 7: Disconnect the Pivot Rod

Once the pivot nut is removed, gently pull the pivot rod out of the drain assembly:

• Pull down on the lever assembly or on the pivot rod near the assembly to carefully move it downward.

• Remove the pivot rod from the drain pipe until it is fully disconnected from the stopper. If the rod is difficult to remove, you may need to detach it further.

Step 8: Remove the Clip and Fully Disconnect the Pivot Rod

If the pivot rod is still partially attached and won’t come out completely, follow these steps:

• Note which hole in the lever assembly the pivot rod is connected to. It might help to take a picture to be sure.

• Disconnect the metal clip that holds the pivot rod to the lever assembly. Hold the pivot rod and push the clip off along with the lever assembly towards the side of the pivot rod with the lever assembly attached. This can prove to be tricky. You might need to move the pivot rod up and down to different positions, and/or push the pivot rod into drain pipe while trying to remove the clip and lever assembly. It might help to pinch the clip slightly while removing it.

• Once the clip is removed and the pivot rod is fully disconnected from the lever assembly, you should be able to pull the rod out far enough to completely remove it from the stopper.

Step 9: Remove the Stopper

Now that the pivot rod is fully disconnected:

• Return to the top of the sink and pull the stopper out of the drain. It should come out easily without any resistance.

Step 10: Add a popcork™ to your sink to avoid the headaches of traditional sink stoppers, clogs, and plumber bills

We're a bit biased, but it's always good idea to add a popcork™ to your sink. popcork™ is a 2-in-1 sink stopper and strainer that can be installed in seconds, and spares you from clogs and losing small objects in the drain. With popcork™, frustrating traditional sink stoppers are a problem of the past. 

Final Thoughts

Congratulations! You've successfully removed your bathroom sink stopper. Whether you’re performing a quick clean-up, replacing the stopper, or fixing a drain issue, following these steps ensures a smooth process. Feel free to leave a comment to share any tips or if you need further assistance. Happy DIYing!

Any questions? Reach out to us below for a timely response and extra guidance :)