How to Remove the Pop Up on a Pedestal Sink

The anatomy of a pedestal sink is identical to one installed in a cabinet, with one important difference: Instead of being hidden by the cabinet, the drain pipes are inside the pedestal, and you usually can see only the horizontal outlet of the P-trap and the lever arm for the stopper. To remove the stopper, you have to disconnect the lever arm from the lift rod and unscrew it from the drain tailpiece hidden inside the pedestal. You often must accomplish the latter procedure without looking because there isn't room for your head behind the pedestal.


Locate the pop-up stopper lever under the sink. It extends outward from inside the pedestal and is connected to the lift rod by a U-shaped spring.


Squeeze the ends of the spring together and slide the spring toward the wall to remove it. Pull off the metal plate connected to the lift rod to completely disengage the lever.


Reach inside the pedestal and find the point where the lever attaches to the tailpiece, which is the vertical length of pipe that extends downward from the sink drain. You should be able to feel a nut at the point of connection.


Turn the nut with your fingers, if possible. If it doesn't move, turn it with a pair of adjustable pliers. If you can't lock the pliers onto the nut without looking, balance a hand mirror against the wall on the horizontal P-trap pipe so you can see what you're doing.


Remove the nut after you've unscrewed it, and pull the lever an inch or two toward the wall to disengage it from the stopper. Pull the stopper out of the sink drain.


Replace the lever and screw the nut back on when you're done. This seals the opening and prevents leaking while water is running down the drain. Hand-tightening the nut usually is sufficient.