The main purpose of a sink drain is to let water flow out of the unit without making too much noise or causing any problems.

Most of the time sinks come with drains unless otherwise specified. It is important to note that this will either go directly back to your waste pipe. If you have a garbage disposal in your sink, the garbage disposal will connect to the drain in your unit. This will only be the case for kitchen sinks - with bathrooms, there are only bathroom sink faucets to be concerned about. For sinks that don't come with drains, you'll need to install a drain instead. To do so, you'll need to know the parts of the drain. The main parts are usually the strainer and strainer body. Aside from the strainer, other parts include:

  • Gasket (usually a rubber gasket) and washer.

  • Locknut.

  • Tailpiece.

  • Threaded coupling.

  • Trap.

  • Slip-joint coupling.

  • Short-threaded nipple.

The strainer and strainer body help catch any debris that makes its way into a sink, preventing it from clogging up the drains. You will need to have a strainer flange to install this to your drain. Depending on the type of your drain, you may also need a special strainer body like a Y-strainer body.

Besides the strainer, you should also be very careful when connecting the tailpiece. The tailpiece is attached to the bottom of the sink drain fitting with a slip nut. The tailpiece is the section that carries water away from the sink, so it's easy to understand why it's important.

If you're installing a sink drain, you'll need to have all the above-mentioned parts, as well as additional parts and tools such as:
  • Plumber's putty or another material to seal gaps.

  • Lift rod.

  • Metal washer.

  • Hammer.

  • Screwdriver.

  • Extra faucet, spout, and other necessary fixtures that you may need to replace.

  • Any extra drain part to be replaced. It's always best to have extra supply tubes or supply lines on hand, as the supply lines are usually the parts that need to be replaced the most.

You'll also need to have instructions on hand for your particular sink and drain model. If, during installation, you notice something broken, contact a professional for help. Trying to fix it yourself, especially if you have prior experience, may only result in further damage.

The main purpose of a sink drain is to let water flow out of the unit without making too much noise or causing any problems. In addition, some models will include a stopper that can be used to prevent water overflow. Most sinks feature an overflow sink hole in case you get some nasty spills and need to redirect their contents away from your home's flooring and the nearby wall, reducing the need for a deep cleaning session. If the water does overflow, you should consider placing a bucket beneath the faucet or spout to prevent the water from getting onto the floors.

They are also present in most bathrooms that have running water connected directly to the sink basin or the faucets (including bathroom sink faucets and tub faucets). Sinks, especially in the kitchen, will also have water supply shut-off valves on their underside. This is so you can turn off the water supply and water flow to the sink and the faucet without having to turn off the main water supply to your home.

What are the different types of drains?

There are many kinds of sink drains. The most common ones are the P-trap, S-trap and U-bend. They all serve the same purpose of getting rid of water that has been drained out from your bathroom or kitchen sink basin. However, they differ slightly in design and performance, and you should always make sure to choose a suitable drain for your needs.

P-trap

The P-trap can be easily recognised by its three piped shapes. The top part of this system connects to the bottom section (one with a curve) via an insertion point located at its side. This type of sink drain is very effective in bathrooms because it has a 360 degree opening instead of a 90-degree slope like some other models. For this reason, you can often see them connected to kitchen sinks and large bathroom sinks and bath areas that might have more than one running bathroom faucet and tub faucet, or more complex sewage systems. It's also common in the shower area as it can handle the volume of water better.

S-trap

The S-trap has a very similar design to the P-trap. It also features two curved pipes that have an insertion point in their upper section. However, unlike its counterpart, this model has only one end with a strainer instead of several open ends, which makes it harder for things like grease to get inside your drain pipe and cause problems later on. This option is pretty versatile and can be connected to different models equally well. However, because of its shape, it is not as popular on kitchen sinks and in bathrooms.

U-bend

The U-bend features two connecting pipes that are shaped like a letter U. The top portion of this design connects easily via a hole or an insertion point located at its side, while the lower part has a second hole for water to run out from. This is most commonly found on kitchen sinks simply because it's wide enough to accommodate large amounts of water from the faucet going down the drainpipe without making too much noise or causing issues with pressure loss.

It does, however, have one major disadvantage which is related to its shape. Because the strainer has only one opening instead of several ones, anything that goes into your dishwasher (including food waste) might get stuck inside it which can cause problems in the long run, including the smell of sewer gasses coming up the drain.

Your bathroom and kitchen sink drain may also be a pop-up sink drain. These drains have a pop-up stopper and usually open and close through the action of a lever located behind the sink faucet or spout. They're a good option if you need to fill the sink with water, such as when you're using your kitchen sink for washing dishes.

When choosing a drain type, remember it not only needs to be a suitable drain for the location and drainage requirements, it also needs to match your sink and faucet. For example, many bathroom sink faucets have chrome finishes. If this is the case, look for a matching drain with a chrome or bronze finish that can match the bathroom faucets.

Are bathroom sink drains a standard size?

A bathroom sink drain is a standard size in most cases. Most bathroom sinks and units that have a drain feature will include the same diameter of drainpipe regardless of where you buy them. This is simply to prevent any issues with different types of drains not connecting together properly. The main reason for this standardisation in bathroom sinks is because these need to connect directly to your waste system thanks to the U-bend or S-trap design which means they must somehow fit inside them.

What comes with a new kitchen sink?

When you purchase a kitchen sink, it usually includes the kitchen sink drain and the pipe system. Most kitchen sinks are made from high-quality materials including stainless steel, fibreglass, acrylic, and other sturdy stuff that ensures their durability and resistance against corrosion or other types of damage. Many of these kitchen sinks also come with a protective layer that is sprayed or painted over the sink to protect it from scratches caused by the installation process.