The 411 On Sink Plumbing

The plumbing system in your home is complex and encompasses many features. One of these important plumbing elements within your home are your sinks. Sink plumbing may sound like one of the simpler home plumbing tasks, but bathroom and kitchen sink plumbing is actually quite intricate involving several sink plumbing parts. All of your home’s sinks are connected to your water supply with the same operational purpose. However, your kitchen sink plumbing differs in the fact that it is designed to allow for additional hookups like; dishwashers, water filters, garbage disposal, etc.

Kitchen Sink Plumbing & Parts –

• Kitchen sinks have a strainer fitted into a strainer body that is then inserted down through the sink hole and sealed to the sink.
• Beneath the sink, is the strainer body connection to the drain’s tailpiece and the rest of the drain plumbing.
• If you have, or desire to have, a garbage disposal, this would be mounted directly to a unique strainer body.

Bathroom Sink Plumbing & Parts –

• Your bathroom sink will likely not have a strainer, but instead, a pop-up stopper allowing the sink to be filled with water if desired.
• The pop-up stopper fits into the drain body as a kitchen strainer body would.

You’ll find a rubber gasket, metal washer, and a large locknut underneath your sinks with a tailpipe connected, as well as a drain trap.

What Does A Sink Trap Do?

• Your sink trap is a j-shaped pipe beneath the sink with the purpose of trapping (as the name hints to) sewer gases, preventing them from entering the house.
• When water is moved through sink plumbing drains, it will move through the trap to then exit out the drainpipe.
• Some water will get stuck in the trap’s curve, since the drainpipe exits at a higher level than the curve.
• The trapped water provides a seal to block sewer gasses from rising up through the sink drain.
• The water in the sink trap is replaced with new water each sink use.

Clogs & Sink Traps –

• If your sink is clogged, the first place to check as the source of your clog is the sink trap.
• As water gets trapped within its curve, so too can other objects.
• Your sink trap can be removed easily, and some are even designed with a “clean-out plug” eliminating the need for removal when a clog is discovered.

Learn why you should avoid chemical drain cleaners.

Make Sure To Check The Drain Outlet Height –

• Deep-basin sinks are super trendy, but since they are deep, they take up more realestate underneath the sink.
• This means you may need to lower the drain fitting in the wall.
• Your plumber should check this height before proceeding with the new sink plumbing!

Installing A Garbage Disposal –

• Adding a garbage disposal to your sink plumbing, requires complex wiring and plumbing skills, and because of this, it should be done by a professional!
• The outlet will need to be controlled by a switch that is accessible when standing at the sink and certain codes will need to be met. This circuit may need to be installed if it does not already exist in your home.

Your home’s sink plumbing involves a lot more than faucets and fixtures. While sink installation is often DIY’d, its intricacy makes it a better task for your professional plumber! The experienced and knowledgeable plumbers at Kulk’s Plumbing & Heating can ensure that your sinks are installed correctly, work effectively, and look great! Give us a call today for all your sink plumbing needs!