Measure the drain hole to make sure you choose a basket strainer that fits. If your sink has an existing basket strainer, use it as a model to help purchase your new one so you know it will fit. Make sure the tailpiece fits your drainpipes as well, and choose a brass tailpiece so it lasts longer. You can find sink drain assembly kits at your local hardware store, at department stores, and online.
If you’re installing a kitchen sink drain onto a sink that’s already installed and has drainpipes hooked up to it, you need to disconnect them before you install the drain. Be careful not to damage the pipes with the pliers when you separate them.
Guage how long the rope needs to be by wrapping it around the bottom of the basket strainer. Form the rope of putty with an even diameter. You can find plumber’s putty at hardware stores, at department stores, and online.
Don’t press the putty is hard that the rope is spread thin and the putty hangs over the lip of the basket. If the rope of putty is too long, simply pull off the excess length and connect the two ends of the putty.
Push straight down to create an even seal. The putty will dry and form a washer, so don’t press so hard that it’s forced out of the sides of the basket strainer.
Open the cabinet doors and access the space beneath the sink if you’re working on a pre-installed sink. A little bit of excess putty is fine, but if too much is hanging out of the sides of the basket strainer, it can affect the seal.
Hold the 2 pieces in place with 1 hand. Put the rubber washer on first to create an additional layer of a watertight seal, then the friction ring to protect the washer from the nut.
Use your hands to turn the nut as much as you can.
It’s important that you tighten the nut with a wrench so the basket strainer is sealed properly and water won’t leak out of the drain. [10] X Research source You can find basket wrenches at home improvement stores, at department stores, and online.
There will always be a little bit of putty squeezed out from tightening the nut with the wrench.
You can find brass tailpieces at hardware stores and home improvement stores.
Rubber gaskets come in many different sizes. Choose one that fits the diameter of your drain pipe. You can find rubber compression gaskets at hardware stores, at home improvement stores, and online.
Don’t force or jerk the drainpipe or you could break it.
Be careful not to overtighten the connector or you could crack the plastic.
