Every now and then, we find ourselves stuck—in traffic, in a line, or sometimes, in the bathroom.
Getting clogs, blockages, and other things unstuck are just a few of the plumbing problems we fix. But occasionally, the problem isn’t deep in the pipes—it’s right at the surface.
One Mira Mesa homeowner called us at California Plumbing after finding that their pop-up stopper in the sink was indeed stuck. It wouldn’t come back up even when they tried pushing the lift rod!
With their sink—and the water in it—at a standstill, the client also realized that there were other issues in their bathroom. The sink faucet, over 25 years old, was in desperate need of repair, and so too was the toilet!
Removing A Stuck Sink Stopper That Won’t Move
When your sink stopper is stuck, in some cases you may be able to lift it out of the sink drain using a magnet, suction cup, or piece of sticky tape. If these don’t work, you may be tempted to pry or wedge the sink stopper out, but this is not recommended as you risk causing bodily injury to yourself and others or damaging the sink and fixtures. It is best to call a professional to safely get your sink unstuck and correctly install the replacement.
Upon our arrival at this Mira Mesa home, it was clear that the sink stopper wouldn’t budge. Fortunately, our plumbing technician knew exactly what to do and got right to work.
To access the sink stopper from underneath, we began by turning off the hot and cold water shut-off valves to prevent water from flowing during disassembly. With a bucket in place to catch any water, we unscrewed the P-trap and accessed the stopper from underneath, through the drain tailpiece.
Once our plumber got the sink stopper out, it was clear that the cause of it getting stuck in the first place was corrosion and age. It could no longer pop up and down smoothly. Continuing to use the same sink stopper would only cause the same problem again, inconveniencing the homeowner and everyone in the household!
A Budget-Friendly Bathroom Upgrade: Replacing The Sink Stopper & Faucet
While it may seem like a small change, replacing an old sink stopper and faucet can bathroom a budget–friendly refresh, making a huge difference in functionality and appearance.
After removing the old stopper and disconnecting the lift rod strap, we unscrewed the connections and water lines from the old faucet and removed it. We cleaned up the grime around the area and proceeded to install the newly purchased sink stopper and faucet.
Once the new sink stopper was in place, we reconnected the lift rod strap to the pivot rod and tested the mechanism. The stopper popped smoothly up and down both by hand and via the lift rod.
With the new faucet mounted, we reconnected the P-trap and water lines, then turned the shut-off valves back on and tested the faucet. It worked properly with no drainage issues and no leaks. We did not offer a service warranty for this, as the water pressure of the home, at 95 pounds per square inch (PSI), was quite higher than the recommended residential range, increasing the risk of future plumbing issues. The recommended California residential water pressure range is 50 to 75 PSI. The homeowner would always have the option of calling us back to install a water pressure regulator to protect their home.
Replacing A Toilet Angle Stop With A Quarter Turn Valve For A Longer-Lasting, Secure Connection
Our finishing touch for this bathroom upgrade was replacing the toilet’s angle stop with a new quarter turn valve. Also known as a toilet shut-off valve, the toilet angle stop controls the flow of water into the toilet tank. Leaky, old, or corroded angle stops must be replaced to prevent leaks and water damage.
We first drained the system down so that water would not continue to flow. Our plumbing technician carefully removed the old angle stop and cleaned out the debris around the pipe and in the threads. We then secured a watertight connection between the supply line and the new quarter turn valve.
Why choose a quarter turn valve? As the name suggests, quarter-turn valves only require a 90° turn to fully open or close the valve. They not only turn faster but also offer a tighter seal that remains durable and reliable in the long-run.
Get Your Bathroom Unstuck: Call California Plumbing Today
Don’t let plumbing issues stand in your way. Whether it’s a stubborn sink stopper or a worn-out faucet, our technicians at California Plumbing are here to relieve you of any plumbing woes, so you won’t have to put your entire day on hold.
California Plumbing restores peace and comfort to your home through a wide range of plumbing services in San Diego. We replace and install fixtures and appliances in any room with expertise and care. Call us to enjoy worry-free plumbing today.
