How do I install my lavatory faucet pop-up drain assembly?

This article will explain how to install a pop-up drain assembly in general. Always consult the installation included with your faucet for more specific types of pop-up drain assembly installation steps.

Prepare the drain assembly and verify you have the all parts indicated in the drawing.

a.   Remove the flange and plunger by unscrewing the flange counter-clockwise.
b.   Make sure that the three washers are in the correct position:
      -   Thick bevelled gasket – on top (flat side down)
      -   Thin friction ring  – in the middle
      -   Thick brass lock nut with hex sides – on the bottom

1. Lift rod
2. Thumb screw
3. Lift rod strap
4. Spring clip
5. Ball rod
6. Ball nut
7. Tailpiece
8. Stopper assembly
9. Drain collar
10. Beveled Gasket
11. Friction ring
12. Lock nut

Installation Steps

a.   Apply plumber putty to the underside of the flange on the Drain Collar (9). Insert the drain collar through the drain opening of the sink.

b.   From the underside of the sink, install the bevelled gasket (10) (curved side to the drain hole), friction ring (11) and lock nut (12) onto the drain collar. Tighten the lock nut to the complete seal.

c.   Orient the tailpiece (7) assembly so that the opening of the drain lever faces the direction of the location of the lift rod assembly. Usually, the lift rod assembly faces the wall.

d.   Insert the stopper assembly (8) into the drain. Insert the ball rod (5) into the rod.
      NOTE: port and into the hole at the bottom of the stopper assembly (8). You can lock the stopper assembly (8) to the ball rod (5) at this point by inserting the end of the ball rod (5) through the plunger hole prior to securing the ball in place. Secure the ball rod (5) to the drain assembly with the ball nut (6).

e.   Insert the lift rod (1) through the faucet and attach the lift rod strap (3) to the ball rod (5) using the spring clip (4).

f.   Insert the bottom of the lift rod (1) into the hole at the top of the lift rod strap (3). Tighten with the thumb screw (2).

Troubleshooting

1. If the lift rod is stuck, and will not go up and down:

Loosen the ball nut a bit until the lift rod becomes easy to operate. Do not loosen the ball nut too much, to prevent a water leak.

2. If the lift rod moves freely, but does not engage the drain stopper:

a.   Loosen the finger screw on the lift rod strap and adjust the connection to the lift rod so that it resolves the issue.
b.   If this still does not resolve the issue, adjust the location of the connection of the ball rod to the lift rod strap.