Kitchen Sink Strainer

I just finished installing this kitchen sink faucet and now it is time to connect the drain piping under the sink but before I do that I need to connect the very important part called the sink strainer.

Hi, I am Tim Carter from AskTehBuilder.com and the next ninety seconds, I am going to show you how to install a sink strainer just like a licensed master plumber, you are going to get professional results and you are going to save a lot of sweet moolah when you do it your self.

A sink strainer is made up of several simple parts. The strainer is the metal part that fills the large hole in the sink. The bottom of the strainer has threads that allow you to connect the drain piping to the strainer assembly.

The basket is the removable part, you put in the strainer to stop water from going down into the drain. The strainer is held tightly against the sink with a large bowl-shape washer and a knot. There is also a rubber washer that fits between the washer and the sink. To seal the strainer to the sink, I used plumber’s putty.

Take a golf ball size of the putty and knead it with your fingers. Carefully create large ring with the putty that matches the size of the hole in the sink. Before you place the putty onto the sink, take a paper towel or a rug and remove any dust or dirt from the sink.

Push the putty down on top of the sink right around the edge of the hole with your fingers making sure to put the putty around the hole evenly. Then push the strainer into place and apply even pressure and you will notice some of the putty will start to squeeze out.

Look underneath the sink and you will see excess putty has also squeeze out between the strainer and the hole on the sink. You need to remove this carefully with your fingers. Now, it is time to install the large bowl-shaped washer making sure that the rubber washer is between the bowl and the bottom of the sink.

Put the large tightening knot onto the threads and bring it up in the position. Use a pipe wrench or channel lock pliers to tighten that under the sink. To prevent the strainer from twisting in the sink, use needle-nosed pliers to hold it in position. Stick the two prongs of the pliers into the holes of strainer and hold the pliers tightly as you tighten them up below.

This job is much easier if a helper holds the needle-nosed pliers while you tighten the knot line on your back. If your strainer comes with a logo on it, be sure the logo is centered on the opening so it looks professional.

I told you it is easy to install this sink strainer. Now, all I need to do is get up and get out of here.

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