Sink Parts & Repair
Sink repair parts are the drains, stoppers, connectors, and mounting hardware that replace worn or leaking components on kitchen, bathroom, and commercial sinks. They restore drainage, seal the drain opening, and connect the sink to the trap and dishwasher. The category includes basket strainer drains, grid strainer drains, pop-up drains, mushroom push drains, plug drains, dishwasher hoses and connectors, and sink hardware. Each part is built for a specific sink type and drain opening, so outlet size, tailpiece diameter, and overflow configuration come first. Sink drain parts cover most service calls, from a kitchen basket leaking at the flange to a lavatory stopper with a failed linkage. These sink repair supplies are designed for new installations and for repairing existing fixtures.
Sink Repair Parts Products
Basket Strainer Drains
Basket strainer drains installed in kitchen sinks with a 3-1/2 in drain opening. A removable basket catches food solids and closes to hold water in the bowl. The body seals to the sink with plumber's putty or a rubber gasket and is secured from below with a locknut. A new strainer stops leaks at the flange and connects to a 1-1/2 in tailpiece.
Grid Strainer Drains
Grid strainer drains use a fixed perforated grid instead of a stopper, so water drains continuously. They are designed for lavatory, bar, utility, and hand sinks where standing water is not needed. Grid drains are available with or without overflow holes to match the sink bowl.
Pop-up Drains
Pop-up drains are the standard bathroom sink drain. A lift rod behind the faucet moves a pivot rod that raises or lowers the stopper. Replacement assemblies correct a stopper that will not stay open or closed, a leaking pivot nut, or a corroded drain body, which makes them common bathroom sink repair parts.
Mushroom Push Drains and Plug Drains
Mushroom push drains open and close when the cap is pressed, with no linkage under the sink. Plug drains use a separate rubber or metal stopper for utility, laundry, and older lavatory sinks. Both serve as simple replacement sink components where a pop-up linkage is not needed or no longer works.
Dishwasher Hoses & Connectors
Dishwasher hoses and connectors carry water to and from the dishwasher through the sink cabinet. The drain hose connects to a disposer inlet or branch tailpiece, with a high loop or air gap to prevent backflow. Braided supply connectors attach to the hot water stop valve.
Sink Hardware
Sink hardware covers the sink installation hardware that mounts and finishes a sink: mounting clips, undermount brackets, hole covers, and flanges. This sink plumbing hardware secures the bowl to the countertop and seals unused faucet holes.
How Sink Drain Parts Work and Where They Install
Kitchen Sinks
Kitchen sinks drain through a 3-1/2 in opening into a basket strainer or disposer flange. A 1-1/2 in tailpiece connects the strainer to the P-trap, and a branch tailpiece joins a second bowl or the dishwasher drain. Most kitchen sink repair parts address strainer leaks, loose locknuts, and worn gaskets.
Bathroom and Lavatory Sinks
Lavatory sinks use a smaller drain opening and a 1-1/4 in tailpiece. A sink with an overflow channel needs a drain body with overflow holes so water can exit the overflow passage. Pop-up, push, and grid drains install from above and secure with a locknut below.
Commercial Sinks
Restaurant, office, and school sinks see heavy daily use and frequent cleaning. Brass and stainless steel drain bodies hold up to this wear, and grid or basket strainers keep solids out of the trap.
Key Specifications & Planning Steps
Drain Size and Tailpiece Connections
Measure the drain opening and tailpiece diameter before ordering. Kitchen drains typically use a 1-1/2 in tailpiece; lavatory drains use 1-1/4 in. Slip-joint nuts and washers connect the tailpiece to sink pipe parts such as the P-trap and trap arm, found in tubular drains and components.
Overflow and Finish
Check for an overflow opening and select a drain with matching overflow holes. Match the drain finish, such as chrome, brushed nickel, or matte black, to the faucet.
Planning Steps
1. Close the supply stops and clear the sink cabinet.
2. Measure the drain opening, tailpiece, and sink deck thickness.
3. Confirm the drain type and overflow requirement.
4. Inspect the trap and supply connectors for wear.
5. Seal the new drain per the manufacturer's instructions.
Choosing the Right Sink Repair Parts
Selecting sink repair parts starts with the sink type and the cause of the failure. A leak at the kitchen drain flange calls for a new basket strainer, while a stopper that will not hold water points to the pop-up assembly or a push drain. Brass bodies suit commercial and high-use sinks; PVC and ABS bodies resist corrosion in residential lavatory and utility sinks. Confirm the drain body length fits the sink deck thickness. Ordering sink replacement parts and other sink drain components for one job together keeps sizes and finishes consistent. Supply lines and stop valves are listed under plumbing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find sink repair parts like pop-up drains, basket strainers, and dishwasher connectors in one place?
Plumbing supply categories for sink parts and repair group these together, along with grid strainer drains, push and plug drains, and sink hardware. Ordering sink repair parts from one category keeps drain sizes and finishes consistent across a job.
What sink drain parts should a plumber keep on the truck for kitchen and bathroom service calls?
A practical stock includes 3-1/2 in basket strainers, universal pop-up assemblies, 1-1/4 in and 1-1/2 in tailpieces, slip-joint nuts and washers, and a dishwasher drain connector. These sink drain parts cover most leak and stopper repairs.
What is the difference between a basket strainer drain and a grid strainer drain?
A basket strainer has a removable basket that catches solids and closes to hold water, and fits 3-1/2 in kitchen openings. A grid strainer has a fixed perforated grid with no stopper, so water drains continuously.
Pop-up drain vs. mushroom push drain vs. plug drain: which one fits a bathroom sink?
All three fit standard lavatory openings. A pop-up uses a lift rod and linkage, a push drain opens when the cap is pressed with no linkage, and a plug drain uses a separate stopper. Choose based on whether the faucet has a lift rod and how the sink is used.
Should I replace a bathroom sink drain with or without an overflow?
Match the sink. If the bowl has an overflow opening, use a drain with overflow holes so water can exit through the overflow channel. Sinks without an overflow, such as many vessel sinks, need a drain without holes.
Why is my kitchen sink leaking around the drain basket, and what part fixes it?
Leaks at the basket usually come from dried putty, a worn rubber gasket, or a loose locknut. Resealing or replacing the basket strainer stops the leak. Kitchen sink repair parts for this job include the strainer body, gaskets, and locknut.
How do I fix a bathroom sink pop-up stopper that won't stay open or closed?
Adjust the clevis strap and pivot rod connection, or tighten the pivot nut. If the pivot ball or drain body is worn or corroded, replace the pop-up assembly. These are among the most common bathroom sink repair parts.
FAQ 8: What parts do I need to replace a corroded or leaking bathroom sink drain?
A new pop-up or push drain assembly, a 1-1/4 in tailpiece if the old one is corroded, slip-joint washers, and plumber's putty or silicone. Check whether the sink needs an overflow drain body.
How do I connect a dishwasher drain hose to a kitchen sink drain?
Connect the drain hose to the disposer inlet or to a branch tailpiece installed below the basket strainer. Run the hose in a high loop under the countertop or through an air gap, as local code requires, to prevent backflow.
What size drain do I need for a kitchen sink versus a bathroom sink?
Kitchen sinks typically use a 3-1/2 in drain opening with a 1-1/2 in tailpiece. Bathroom lavatory drains typically connect to a 1-1/4 in tailpiece. Measure the existing opening before ordering.
What are the names of the different parts under a sink?
Common sink drain components include the drain body or strainer, tailpiece, slip-joint nuts and washers, P-trap, and trap arm. Supply-side parts include stop valves and supply connectors.
What replacement parts are available for a kitchen sink drain?
Basket strainers, strainer baskets, gaskets, locknuts, tailpieces, branch tailpieces for dishwashers, and P-traps. These sink replacement parts are sized to the 3-1/2 in kitchen opening and 1-1/2 in drain lines.
What sink hardware is used to mount or secure a sink during installation?
Mounting clips, undermount brackets, and flanges secure the bowl to the countertop, and hole covers seal unused faucet holes. This sink installation hardware varies by sink material and mounting style.
Which sink drain parts work for commercial sinks in restaurants or offices?
Brass or stainless steel drain bodies, grid strainers for hand sinks, and basket strainers for prep and pot sinks handle heavy use and frequent cleaning. Confirm outlet size and local health code requirements.
How do I know which replacement sink drain will fit my existing sink and pipes?
Measure the drain opening, sink deck thickness, and tailpiece diameter, and note whether the sink has an overflow. Match those to the new drain's specifications, then confirm the tailpiece aligns with existing sink pipe parts.