Before installing a basket strainer into the kitchen sink make sure the surface area that contacts the basket strainer is clean and the old putty completly removed. Things you will need for installing a basket strainer are plumbers putty, plumbing pipe dope, basket strainer wrench, and a pair of channel-lock pliers. To easily install or remove a basket strainer, a basket strainer wrench is used to hold the strainer body from spinning while you tighten or untighten the strainer locknut. After you insert the strainer into the sink the cardboard washer should be installed between the rubber gasket and the locknut.
Basket Strainer Installation
Step1.
Install a 1/4" in diameter bead of plumbers putty onto the underside of the strainer flange where it makes contact with the sink. Insert the strainer into the hole in the sink.
Step2.
Under the sink you install the rubber gasket around the strainer body, before installing the rubber gasket apply a generous amount of pipe dope on both sides of the gasket. Next install the cardboard washer on top of the gasket.
Step3.
Install and tighten the strainer locknut using a strainer wrench to hold the body from spinning and a pair of channel-lock pliers to tighten the nut, be careful not to over tighten the nut.
To remove a basket strainer you would first disconnect and remove the trap and the strainer tail piece. Then in reverse of the steps above remove the strainer locknut, remove the washer and gasket, next remove the basket strainer for the sink.
After installing the basket strainer and reinstalling the trap, check for leaks around the basket strainer by plugging the sink drain and fill the sink with water. Check under the sink around the bottom of the basket strainer for leaks, the common cause for leaks around the strainer is the lock nut needs tightened. Some leaks are so small that it might take a few hours or a few days depending on the leak and how often the sink is used before the leak appears, for this i usully take a paper towel and leave under the drain. The next day if the paper towel shows drip spots there is a small leak which usully is not hard to find.
If you have a question about installing a kitchen sink basket strainer or a question about another repair post it in the user feedback.
