Help me unplug my sink!

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S

Steve

Lifer
May 2, 2004
15,945
11
81
I feel so hapless...


I bought a new strainer-type plug for my sink last week or so. Tonight I can't pull the thing out of the sink. I've tried twisting it, turning it, plungering it, stomping my foot, swearing at it, crying, singing, nothing works.


How do I get it out???
 
NikolaeVarius

NikolaeVarius

Lifer
Oct 25, 2006
11,036
11
91
Originally posted by: Steve
I feel so hapless...


I bought a new strainer-type plug for my sink last week or so. Tonight I can't pull the thing out of the sink. I've tried twisting it, turning it, plungering it, stomping my foot, swearing at it, crying, singing, nothing works.


How do I get it out???
Click to expand...
Tonight I can't pull the thing out of the sink. I've tried twisting it, turning it, plungering it, stomping my foot, swearing at it, crying, singing, nothing works.
Click to expand...

Sounds pretty kinky.
 
S

Steve

Lifer
May 2, 2004
15,945
11
81
Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
does it have the little friction stop plunger in the middle?
Click to expand...

Yeah, and I can barely move it. Do I have to pull? Turn?
 
KK

KK

Lifer
Jan 2, 2001
15,903
4
81
sinks shouldn't be plugged in, unless you have a garbage disposal.
 
S

Steve

Lifer
May 2, 2004
15,945
11
81
Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
Originally posted by: Steve
Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
does it have the little friction stop plunger in the middle?
Click to expand...

Yeah, and I can barely move it. Do I have to pull? Turn?
Click to expand...

push
Click to expand...

Seems like it's pushed all the way in, not doing anything when I try.
 
I

imported_Imp

Diamond Member
Dec 20, 2005
9,148
0
0
Psh... I thought you were clogged.

What's it made off? Try the freeze/heat up method. It works for bottles, but I would have to think hard about how to isolate the strainer. Unless they're both different materials then maybe the thermal coefficient of expansion (ok, I pulled that out of my ass) is different so that they expand at different rates.
 
S

Steve

Lifer
May 2, 2004
15,945
11
81
Originally posted by: Imp
Psh... I thought you were clogged.

What's it made off? Try the freeze/heat up method. It works for bottles, but I would have to think hard about how to isolate the strainer. Unless they're both different materials then maybe the thermal coefficient of expansion (ok, I pulled that out of my ass) is different so that they expand at different rates.
Click to expand...

I linked it in my edit above, and unfortunately the sink is full of water.
 
I

imported_Imp

Diamond Member
Dec 20, 2005
9,148
0
0
Originally posted by: Steve
Originally posted by: Imp
Psh... I thought you were clogged.

What's it made off? Try the freeze/heat up method. It works for bottles, but I would have to think hard about how to isolate the strainer. Unless they're both different materials then maybe the thermal coefficient of expansion (ok, I pulled that out of my ass) is different so that they expand at different rates.
Click to expand...

I linked it in my edit above, and unfortunately the sink is full of water.
Click to expand...

I see... We don't use those at our house, but we've had them before. They usually drop right in and pull right out so I don't think it's mechanically stuck. Perhaps it's a combination of water pressure and suction.

It's probably worth a try to get a bowl and start moving the water to the can. Once you get it low enough, get some steel wire or toothpicks and try poking some holes to kill the suction a bit if that's the case. Otherwise... take off the U-pipe under the sink and start ramming it up (bringing the pipe to atmospheric pressure might help).
 
N

NoShangriLa

Golden Member
Sep 3, 2006
1,652
0
0
The problem is that water/debris is making the seal + the weight of water making it difficult to remove.

Fish the water out of the sink, and then try to remove the strainer.

[add] Hand in your man card now, because it isn't that hard to solve.

 
S

Steve

Lifer
May 2, 2004
15,945
11
81
Well, I was able to get it out.


I scooped the water out with a pan and poured it down the neighboring sink. I was then able to pull the thing out by wedging a knife in the rim and prying it out. Turns out the culprit was the rubber O-ring on the bottom, which was jammed in the lower level of the drain. Had to knife that out too, which was harder.


I guess in future I'll try not to jam the thing so firmly in the drain.
 
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