Do you ever have one of those days where everything seems to be going wrong? Maybe you’re having a bad week and nothing seems to be going your way. Or maybe you just had a really bad morning and everything went wrong from there. Maybe you’re also dealing with your sink stopper falling into the sinkhole and being unable to get it back up again. This can happen for a number of reasons, but if this has happened to you, then it’s probably because the pivot rod has broken somewhere or become dislodged. If this is the case for you, then don’t panic! It happens to the best of us from time to time, so we understand if this has happened to you. Let’s take a look at how we can remove a sink stopper without a pivot rod so that we can continue on with our day feeling like human beings once again.
How To Remove Sink Stopper Without Pivot Rod
Grab a pair of pliers
This is the easiest way to get the stopper out of your sink for most people. You can use pliers to grip the stopper right where it meets the sink, and then twist it out of place. Once you’ve got a good grip, you can yank the stopper right out. It’s important to make sure that you’re gripping the stopper itself and not the sink, or you might end up damaging the finish.
Use a screwdriver
This is another fairly simple method, but it can be a bit tricky. Most stoppers have screws that can be loosened or removed to allow the stopper to be removed. You might be able to just grab the screwdriver and unscrew them by hand. If they’re stuck, you might need to use a pair of pliers to get a better grip on the screwdriver. Most pliers have grooves in the side that work well for this. Once you’ve loosened the screws, you can remove the stopper.
Try a hammer and chisel
You can use a hammer and chisel to break up the cement that’s holding the stopper in place. You may be able to break it up by hand, but if the stopper is really stuck, you may have to use a hammer. If you’re using a hammer, you can try to tap the cement away from the top of the sink, or you can work on the bottom of the stopper. If the stopper has a pivot rod that’s stuck, you may have to chisel away a bit of the rod, too.
Use boiling water
Some people swear by using boiling water to melt the cement that holds the stopper in place. You can either pour the water directly onto the stopper or hold the stopper over a pot of boiling water. Let the stopper sit for a while, checking it occasionally to see if the water has softened the cement. Once it is soft, you can use a screwdriver or a hammer and chisel to break it up and pry the stopper out.
Try some WD-40
WD-40 is often used to free up stuck fasteners and other things around the house. It’s not the most environmentally friendly cleaning product, but it does get the job done. Spray some WD-40 directly onto the stopper, let it sit for a few minutes, and then try prying the stopper out. If the stopper is still stuck, you can apply more WD-40 and let it sit for a while longer, or you can try one of the other techniques listed here.
Pull the drain out firs
This is a good trick if the stopper is really stuck. You can loosen the stopper by pulling out the drain. Even if the stopper is cemented in place, you should be able to pull out the drain, which will give you more room to work and make the stopper easier to remove. Next, grab pliers and grip the stopper on the underside. You may need to pry it out, but since you have more room to get your hands in there, it should be easier than if the stopper was cemented in place.
Reinforce your rod with epoxy
If the stopper has a pivot rod that is bent or otherwise damaged, you can use epoxy to reinforce the rod. Epoxy is a sticky substance that can be applied to the rod and allowed to harden. Once it dries, the rod will be stronger and less likely to bend or break. You should use a strong epoxy that can hold a lot of weight, since this will have to support the stopper and the weight of water in the sink.
Replace the pivot rod entirely
If the pivot rod is damaged beyond repair, you can replace it with a new rod. Some pivot rods can be replaced by unscrewing them from the stopper and screwing a new rod in their place. Others may have to be drilled out and replaced with new hardware. You can use any of these techniques to remove a stuck sink stopper, whether you’re dealing with a natural clog, a cemented stopper, or a stopper that’s bent or broken. Once the stopper is out of the way, you can clear the drain and start using your sink again.
Why Did My Sink Stopper Fall Into The Sink?
1. The stopper was not securely attached to the sink.
Check the stopper for a loose or damaged screw or nut. If it’s loose, tighten it before you try to remove the stopper.
2. The stopper was not securely attached to the sink drain.
Check your sink drain for a loose or damaged screw, nut, or bolt that could be causing the stopper to fall into the sink. If it is loose, tighten it before you try to remove the stopper.
3. Your pipes are too old and rusted in place (or they’re too corroded).
If your pipes are rusted in place and they can’t be removed without damaging your pipes, you can replace them with new ones that include a float valve and strainer basket so that water will flow freely through them when they are empty and stop flowing when there is water in them (see page 116). You can also get new pipe fittings at hardware stores that will fit inside standard pipe sizes and have threads on both ends so that you can attach them permanently with nuts and bolts instead of having to use tapered pipe elbows (see page 119).
How Do I Know If My Pivot Rod Is Broken?
1. Check the pivot rod for a loose or damaged screw or nut.
If the pivot rod is loose, tighten it before you try to remove the stopper. If it is damaged, replace it with a new one.
2. Check the pivot rod for a broken or cracked pipe fitting.
If your pipe fittings are cracked or broken, then you may be able to use duct tape to repair them, but if they are too corroded and rusted to work with duct tape, then you should replace them with new ones (see page 117). You can also get new pipe fittings at hardware stores that will fit inside standard pipe sizes and have threads on both ends so that you can attach them permanently with nuts and bolts instead of having to use tapered pipe elbows (see page 119).
3. Check your pipes for cracks and/or corrosion that could be causing the stopper to fall into the sink
To check your pipes for cracks and corrosion, use a flashlight to shine down into the drainpipe from above and look for any rust spots on the inside of your pipes (see page 116). If there are any cracks in your pipes, you should have them repaired with stainless steel pipe couplings (see page 118) so that water will flow freely through them when they are empty and stop flowing when there is water in them (see page 116). You can also get new pipe fittings at hardware stores that will fit inside standard pipe sizes and have threads on both ends so that you can attach them permanently with nuts and bolts instead of having to use tapered pipe elbows (see page 119).
4. Check your stopper for any loose parts
If your stopper is loose, then you can try to tighten it by turning the screw on the pivot rod with a wrench. If that doesn’t work, then you should replace it with a new one (see page 117). You can also get new pipe fittings at hardware stores that will fit inside standard pipe sizes and have threads on both ends so that you can attach them permanently with nuts and bolts instead of having to use tapered pipe elbows (see page 119).
Conclusion
When a sink stopper falls into the sink, it can be incredibly frustrating. However, there are a number of things that you can do to remove a sink stopper without a pivot rod. You can carefully remove the stopper from the sink, replace the broken pivot rod, and then reattach the stopper back to the sink. If you ever find yourself in this situation, then don’t panic! It happens to the best of us from time to time, so we understand if this has happened to you. Always remember that you can get through this!
