how to remove bathroom sink stopper
Bathroom Improvements

A Step-by-Step Guide to Removing Your Bathroom Sink Stopper

You’re in your bathroom and you notice your sink is full of hair and soap scum. It’s a nasty mess and you want it gone. Luckily, it’s not that difficult to get rid of. You just need to use the right tools for the job.

In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about how to remove bathroom sink stoppers. From the right tools, you need to use, to the right order in which you should tackle tackling the job.

What is the Bathroom Sink Stopper?

The bathroom sink stopper is a rubber or plastic ring that sits on the underside of your bathroom sink. It’s used to keep hair and soap scum from getting into your sink. The ring has a hook on one end. The hook is spring-loaded. When you flip the hook to the closed position, it sits flush with the underside of your sink. As you flip it back to the open position, it drops down and holds hair and soap scum in place.

There are several different types of bathroom sink stoppers. You’ve got the kind that sits flush with the sink. Then there’s a kind that rises up, leaving a gap between your sink and the underside of your cabinet. If your bathroom sink is in a cabinet, that’s the kind of bathroom sink stopper you’re dealing with.

Why Remove a Bathroom Sink Stopper?

There are a few different reasons why you’d want to remove a bathroom sink stopper. The most common one is because it’s full of hair and soap scum. If that’s the case, you can clean your sink and replace the stopper.

But, if you want a sleek and clean sink, you need to remove the stopper. You can also remove a stopper if you want to paint or refinish your bathroom cabinets. You don’t want paint or stain on the underside of your cabinets. Removing your bathroom sink stopper can help you avoid this.

Another common reason why you’d remove a sink stopper is that your bathroom sink is too small. If that’s the case, you’ll need to find a different solution. You can’t remove your bathroom sink stopper and put it in a larger sink in your bathroom. That’s an entirely different job.

Get the Right Tools for the Job

When it comes to removing your bathroom sink stopper, you need a few special tools. The first thing you’ll need is a putty knife. Putty knives are great for removing excess putty and scraping off old caulk. They’re also great for scraping off scum and hair from your sink.

The second thing you’ll need is a pair of bathroom sink drain snakes. A drain snake is a long flexible tube. You insert one end of it into your sink drain. Then, you gently pull it from the sink drain. That way, it clears any gunk and debris from the drain. A drain snake is the best tool for removing hair and soap scum from your bathroom sink.

A pair of pliers is also useful. Pliers are great for grabbing and twisting hair, soap scum, and other debris from your sink. You should also wear food-handling gloves. If your sink stopper is full of hair, it can transfer to your hands. If that happens, you can’t wash your hands properly. That’s a recipe for getting sick. A pair of gloves will keep you safe.

Amazon Basics 1-1/2" Flexible, Soft Grip, Carbon Steel Putty...
Soft-grip handle: offers a secure hold and comfort, even during extended use; Warranty: backed by an Amazon Basics 1-year limited warranty
$6.10
Gorilla Waterproof Caulk & Seal100% Silicone Sealant, 2.8oz...
SEALS OUT WATER, AIR & MOISTURE; 30 MINUTE WATER READY; INDOOR/OUTDOOR: All Weather; 100% WATERPROOF
$4.84
IRWIN VISE-GRIP Pliers Set, 4-Piece (2078707)
Anti-pinch, non-slip ProTouch Grips provide comfort, control, and less hand fatigue.
$43.99

How to Remove Bathroom Sink Stopper?

Clear the Room Before You Begin

Before you begin removing your sink stopper, you need to clear the room. That way, you don’t drop the sink or break a countertop while you’re tackling the job. So, make sure you clear your entire room. That will give you plenty of space to work in.

If there’s any furniture in the way, move it so you have plenty of room. You should also check for any cords or wires. Make sure there’s nothing in your way that you don’t want to get bumped or broken.

Use a Putty Knife to Remove Bathroom Sink Stopper

If your bathroom sink stopper isn’t too tight, it’ll come off without much effort. But, if it’s stuck on really well, you may need to use a putty knife. A putty knife is great for scraping off old caulk or removing excess putty. That way, you can scrape off the rubber ring. But, make sure you scrape it off the right way.

You don’t want to scratch your sink. Start by scraping the rubber off the sink stopper. Scrape it off until the entire rubber ring is gone. Then, scrape off the back of your sink. You want to remove all the excess putty on the back of your sink. Once you’ve removed all the excess putty and rubber, you can pry off your sink stopper.

Slide Your Hand Grip Pliers Over Your Stopper

If your sink stopper is loose and won’t stay in place, you need to use pliers. A pair of pliers is the best tool for this job. A pair of bathroom sink drain snake can help you slide the pliers over your sink stopper.

Before you start using your pliers, slide a pair of kitchen sink drain snake over your sink stopper. That way, you can easily slide your pliers over the sink stopper. Start by twisting the snake so that it twists 90 degrees. Then, grab the top of your sink stopper with your pliers. Push the top of the stopper towards the sink. That way, you can push your sink stopper down into the sink.

Repeat that process over and over until your sink stopper is out of your sink.

Pull Your Bathroom Sink Stopper Out

Once your sink stopper is out of the sink, you can safely remove your sink. That’s because you’ve removed the source of the problem. But, before you do that, you need to remove the rubber ring from the sink drain.

To do that, you need to use a putty knife to scrape off the rubber ring from the drain. Then, you need to pull your sink stopper out of your sink and leave the rubber ring inside the sink drain. You can also leave your sink stopper inside the sink.

That way, you can use it again if you ever want to. That’s because there’s no need to throw away the sink stopper. It can be used again to hold hair and soap scum.

Keep Going On

Once your bathroom sink stopper is out of the way, you should clean your sink regularly. That way, it stays clean and your countertops don’t get scratched up from regular use.

Another thing you can do is use a product called Ickshun. It’s a natural sink cleaner. It neutralizes odors and keeps your sink scratch-free. It’s perfect for keeping your bathroom sink clean and scratch-free.

That way, hair, and soap scum don’t build up in the drain. You can clean your bathroom sink drain with a toilet plunger. That way, you’re cleaning your sink drain regularly along with your sink.

Fix a Stuck Push Down Sink Plug
+ posts

Natasha is the owner of Smart Home Bath, a company that specializes in providing innovative and convenient home automation solutions. With a background in electrical engineering and a passion for making life easier through technology,

Natasha founded Smart Home Bath to help homeowners upgrade their living spaces and improve their daily routines.

Over the years, Natasha has become an expert in the field of smart home technology, and her company has grown to be a trusted source of high-quality products and expert installation services.

Whether you're looking to add voice-controlled lighting, automated temperature control, or any other smart home feature, Natasha and her team at Smart Home Bath have the knowledge and expertise to help you get the most out of your home automation system.

So, if you want to make your home smarter, Natasha and Smart Home Bath are the perfect people to turn to.

Last update on 2023-06-29 at 08:28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

One thought on “A Step-by-Step Guide to Removing Your Bathroom Sink Stopper

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *