[SOLVED} Pedestal sink stopper stuck

[MoodyBlues]

When my new pedestal sink was installed, I asked the contractor how to plug the drain, since there is no up/down plunger thing like on all my previous bathroom sinks. He demonstrated, and then I did what he did, and it worked fine, i.e., press down and turn the stopper to plug the drain, press and turn the other way to unplug it.

But today....it's stuck! No amount of pressing and turning is getting it to open back up. Is there a trick to it?

Here it is (when it's not plugged!):

 

[rootabaga]

The drop rod (lift rod) has likely detached from the stopper rod. The former is what you pull/push on when you grab that little brass knob. Does the rod come up freely? Or does it stop at some point?

If the former it is detached. But if it stops coming up when you lift it, then it’s probably that the stopper rod has let the stopper slip past it. So it’s just moving up and down in the drain without engaging the stopper.

You can use the tip of a knife to get under the stopper and lift it enough you can grab it with your fingers and lift it out. After that you will be able to look down the drain and see the stopper rod. Move the brass knob up/down and you should be able to see it move.

Post back and let us know what you find at that point.

 

[MoodyBlues]

The drop rod (lift rod) has likely detached from the stopper rod. The former is what you pull/push on when you grab that little brass knob. Does the rod come up freely? Or does it stop at some point?

If the former it is detached. But if it stops coming up when you lift it, then it’s probably that the stopper rod has let the stopper slip past it. So it’s just moving up and down in the drain without engaging the stopper.

I'm sorry, dear, but I'm totally lost. What rod? There is no rod--the only thing I touch to open/close the sink stopper is the stopper itself. As described above, push and turn one way to close, push and turn the other way to open.

You can use the tip of a knife to get under the stopper and lift it enough you can grab it with your fingers and lift it out. After that you will be able to look down the drain and see the stopper rod. Move the brass knob up/down and you should be able to see it move.

Post back and let us know what you find at that point.

I may wait for my contractor (who's coming this week to finish up some projects), because my eyesight has gotten so bad that I don't trust myself to fiddle with it and NOT damage it!

 

[olbriar]

I'm not familiar with your new fancy drain stopper Moody. I found something that seems quite similar on the net.... however, it is a push down to seal and push again to release. There is no turning at all. Perhaps the turning has somewhat managed to cause the stopper to be somewhat askew in the drain. Try pushing down and turning the opposite direction you've been trying. It might free up the mechanism so that it can freely pop back up. I wish I had more to offer but the drain stopper is new to me.

 

[rootabaga]

I'm sorry, dear, but I'm totally lost. What rod? There is no rod--the only thing I touch to open/close the sink stopper is the stopper itself. As described above, push and turn one way to close, push and turn the other way to open.


I may wait for my contractor (who's coming this week to finish up some projects), because my eyesight has gotten so bad that I don't trust myself to fiddle with it and NOT damage it!

Sorry I totally missed that part of your post. I was looking at the knob on top of the faucet and thought that’s what you were talking about.

It sounds like the plunger/stopper has broken since it won’t release. It’s good that your contractor is stopping by anyway and hopefully he can resolve it simply.

If you had a small suction cup you could try and use that to lift the plunger/stopper. I have a couple I use to open mobile devices that would work; perhaps you have one as well?

If not I’d disregard my other advice and just wait for your contractor.

Good luck.

 

[Unforgiven]

@MoodyBlues, I found this, but like @olbriar mentioned, there is no turning... ...the concepts may still be helpful

 

[MoodyBlues]

Thanks everybody! The video was especially helpful. Contrary to its advice, mine hasn't been used at all since the day my contractor showed me how to use it--and that was, oh, two months ago?! Definitely not often.

When my helper gets home, I'll see if she wants to fiddle with it--but my tired old eyes definitely do not. As mentioned earlier, my contractor will be here soon so I may just let him fix it. But it's really good to know that using it frequently will help prevent it from getting stuck again.

These new-fangled inventions are hard to keep up with!

 

[ozonetrooper]

They normally only need pushing to operate, the turning motion should allow for removal of the stopper.

I have worked in the apartment maintenance industry for many years and this is my least favorite stopper of all of them.

It is prone to getting stuck closed and requires changing out after the push function goes south.

If you can get it to come out check that it is not clogged up with hair, that is a very common issue.

good luck

 

[puppykickr]

nothing complex is useful.
everything useful is simple.

 

[MoodyBlues]

Update: I bailed out the water (as seen in that video) and dried everything very well, then let it sit and air dry some more. The next morning, my helper pushed down on the stopper, and guess what? It's fixed!

Thanks everyone for the help and suggestions. *I* can't really explain how this method 'fixed' it, and I don't know if it will work again or for someone else, only that it's fixed now and all's well again!

 

[MoodyBlues]

nothing complex is useful.
everything useful is simple.

No! I couldn't disagree more, especially with the first statement. I can't even imagine life today without everything computer-based, like computers, smartphones, TVs, DVRs, alarm systems, sprinkler systems, monitored smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, and on and on and on.... They're definitely complex--AND useful.

 

[Milo Williamson]

No! I couldn't disagree more, especially with the first statement. I can't even imagine life today without everything computer-based, like computers, smartphones, TVs, DVRs, alarm systems, sprinkler systems, monitored smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, and on and on and on.... They're definitely complex--AND useful.

No kidding I cannot imagine if we were in much simpler times, picking blueberries and running with grass in between our toes..

 

[puppykickr]

Instead of bailing out water, next time use clear hose to syphon it to the toilet.

The clear allows you to see the fluid before it gets to your mouth.

 

[puppykickr]

No! I couldn't disagree more, especially with the first statement. I can't even imagine life today without everything computer-based, like computers, smartphones, TVs, DVRs, alarm systems, sprinkler systems, monitored smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, and on and on and on.... They're definitely complex--AND useful.

Or God forbid we have to use the ancient sink stoppers that went up and down so easily with a handle on the back of the faucet!

Oh, the horror!

 

[MoodyBlues]

Or God forbid we have to use the ancient sink stoppers that went up and down so easily with a handle on the back of the faucet!

Oh, the horror!

Oh, come on! You're comparing apples and oranges. Comparing high-tech sprinkler systems--that I can control from my bed--to a traditional sink stopper is kind of silly. Besides, I'd MUCH RATHER have the old-fashioned pull-up sink stopper instead of the shitty new kind, but apparently that's a thing of the past now. At least on the pedestal sink I chose.

 

[Milo Williamson]

Oh, come on! You're comparing apples and oranges. Comparing high-tech sprinkler systems--that I can control from my bed--to a traditional sink stopper is kind of silly. Besides, I'd MUCH RATHER have the old-fashioned pull-up sink stopper instead of the shitty new kind, but apparently that's a thing of the past now. At least on the pedestal sink I chose.

I know what you are talking about my dear sis, least you are really happy with that

 

[ozonetrooper]

There is always the stopper from my days as a kid, the round rubber one that covers the drain or the rubber one on a chain that goes inside the drain.

 

[Milo Williamson]

There is always the stopper from my days as a kid, the round rubber one that covers the drain or the rubber one on a chain that goes inside the drain.

Still have a sink with one of those, also has a few of those silver ones to cover up the drain for my sinks.

 

[olbriar]

There are no stoppers on the sinks in my cabin. But it was likely built in the thirties. Rubber stoppers work just fine. Not handy but they work.
I can see the merit in a pop up stopper for appearance sake. It's not often you have a desire to stop up the drain in a bathroom. The old school lever action stopper in my hall bath barely works for lack of being used. I have the same problem in the shower/tub stopper. We never bathe in the tub so it doesn't work well on that rare occasion it is needed.

 

[ozonetrooper]

Ever wonder how the toggle stopper lever in your shower/tub work ?

Someone had a great imagination when they came up with this :

 

[puppykickr]

Ever wonder how the toggle stopper lever in your shower/tub work ?

Someone had a great imagination when they came up with this :

Speaking about tubs and their drains...

years ago I found that the handle of a five gallon bucket can easily be fashioned into an excellent unclogger for them.

Take the handle off of the bucket, bend it into the shape of a speed wrench- with the plastic holder where you put your hand to turn it- and the thing will pull out all kinds of crap.

 

[olbriar]

I had to replace the drain on my hall bath sink. The only replacement that seemed quality and long enough to make up with my trap at Lowes was a popup drain. I doubt it will ever be used so I don't anticipate any problems with it.

 

[MoodyBlues]

I had to replace the drain on my hall bath sink. The only replacement that seemed quality and long enough to make up with my trap at Lowes was a popup drain. I doubt it will ever be used so I don't anticipate any problems with it.

We found out long after my bathroom remodel was finished that the BRAND NEW trip lever doesn't work. My helper was going to soak the tub with bleach solution before cleaning it, and that's when we learned the trip lever doesn't work. My contractor is done and I don't think I'm going to call him just to fix this. No one ever uses the bathtub for baths, but I still think something I paid for should work as expected, you know?

 

[olbriar]

We found out long after my bathroom remodel was finished that the BRAND NEW trip lever doesn't work. My helper was going to soak the tub with bleach solution before cleaning it, and that's when we learned the trip lever doesn't work. My contractor is done and I don't think I'm going to call him just to fix this. No one ever uses the bathtub for baths, but I still think something I paid for should work as expected, you know?

True enough, it should work, especially after paying for it to be functional. But I'm with you... if it's not needed it's certainly not a priority. The stopper on my tub/shower was functional the last time it was used. That was likely in the late seventies or early eighties. I personally don't feel as clean after a bath like I do after a shower so I shower. The tub has not been used as such since we had a big dog. The little dogs that followed always bathed in the kitchen sink.

 

[ozonetrooper]

They have linkage adjustments, it may just be a matter of making an adjustment, also the plunger has a tendency to get stuck and removal and cleaning of it, fixes it.

I have done many, not a biggie, but prolly not a chore for a novice to the game.