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tonkatsu · Aug 25, 2008, 08:24 PM

I had a really slow-draining sink, despite trying lots of stuff (Drano, baking soda, enzyme cleaners, etc). I finally unscrewed the stop and the little white round plastic thing that held the stop up was covered in junk -- I'm surprised the drain could drain at all given how mucked up that was. I used a hanger to pull that out, and cleaned it. When I tried to put it back on the rod that held it up, the rod fell off and fell to the bottom of the pipe. In the drain I can see the ~3/4 inch horizontal rod that moves up and down when I pull on the drain closer on my faucet, and that appears to work fine. But the vertical rod that attached to this small horizontal rod is at the bottom of my pipe (I guess). The sink is one of those enclosed porcelain ones and I can't actually see the pipe -- getting there would mean removing the entire sink, and then recaulking it or whatever. What are my options now? Can I buy another of those vertical rods and attach it to that little horizontal rod, and reinstall this way? (This seems tough! I mean, the drain is really narrow.) Are there other options? Am I out of luck and need to call a plumber? Thanks so much!

Milo Dolezal · Aug 25, 2008, 10:19 PM

I think it fell into your trap. Unscrew trap, retrieve the missing pop-up rod, and reinstall it.

Depending what kind of drain/pop-up you have, you could purchase new one in Home Depot.

massplumber2008 · Aug 26, 2008, 03:58 AM

Tonkatsu:

Two options...

1) Go to home supply or hardware store and purchase a 24" flexible grabbing tool and a small flashlight and then reach down into the drain, shine the flashlight and then grab the tip of the plastic part and pull it up and out... OR

2) Can remove the p-trap as Milo suggested (see picture) and plastic part (and water) should fall out into your hand... but if really old pipes definitely opt for option#1 as certain traps simply come apart or crumble when disturbed... ;)

Do not just leave the plastic part in the p-trap. You think it got gunked up near the top... if you leave it, wait'll you see what happens to it down inside the trap!!

Let us know how you make out...

MARK