How to Hook Up a Drain on a Vanity

Roll plumber’s putty between your palms until the putty is shaped like a rope. Wrap the putty around the drain opening in the vanity sink and press the drain piece into the putty.

Slide the washer and flange piece over the underside of the drain piece, then thread the locknut by hand onto the drain piece. Tighten the locknut with an adjustable wrench, then clean up any plumber’s putty that squeezes out from below the drain piece with a rag.

Wrap plumber’s tape around all of the drainpipe connections and the threaded end of the drain assembly. Thread a 90 degree pipe elbow onto the pipe coming out of the wall beneath the sink, then thread a tap piece onto the pipe elbow.

Measure the distance between the bottom of the drain assembly and the trap piece. Cut a straight length of pipe the same length as the gap between the pipes, then slide a compression nut on the end of the pipe without threads. Tighten the compression nuts at both ends of the pipe.

Test the drainpipes for leaks by running the faucet five minutes while you watch the drainpipes closely. Tighten any leaking connections by turning them a quarter-turn clockwise with your hands or a pipe wrench, if necessary.