Push-down-pop-up sink plug is stuck in the down position - HELP

[erinaceus]

My push-down-pop-up sink plug is stuck in the down position.

As described in but I’ve tried the suggestions there and none of them have budged it.

Anyone got any further suggestions?

Is there a way to take the sink apart from underneath to fix the situation that I can do or do I need to get someone in to help me?

Who do people design things in stupid ways??? What is wrong with a regular plug?

Have you tried one of the wee suction cups you get for removing light bulbs

Looks like this. I have used this successfully on my plug

I have also managed to unscrew mine using pliers (once its in the up position) and cleaned all the gunk out from underneath

This happened to me, yes it can be unscrewed from underneath. In fact, I unscrewed mine and replaced them

I sorted mine using one of the suckers off the bottom of the bath mat. Just wet it push down and it should lift it up

I used a sucker thing and then learned never to push it down again!

OK I hadn’t thought about a sucker thing. It seems really stuck.

I tried tapping around it to dislodge it (using a hammer and a wooden stick [I actually used a wooden spoon]), putting a rubber glove on and giving it a wiggle, and then putting WD40 down and leaving it. It didn’t wiggle at all.

I guess I’ll try unscrewing from underneath next. Yes the video advises de-gunking the mechanism. But I’m more keen to replace it if I am able to.

Back to YouTube then.

I'd get the sucker tbh
Then you have it handy for the next time!

OK I’ll try that but I’m not convinced I’ll be able to pull it up, it seems very jammed.

This happened to me. I managed to unscrew the disc so the sink could at least be used, but the mechanism was still stuck in the down position. Had to get a plumber to replace it, although he did try to fix it first.

I managed to get a knife under mine and prised it up. It did mark it a bit, but I wasn't very careful!

I just kept pressing on it really hard, I was starting to panic and it took ages but it eventually popped up. I will never press the damn thing in again!

Our bath plug did this. DH somehow got the plug off but I said just replace it with an ordinary plug. So much easier to keep clean. I’m going to get an ordinary one for the basin as it was a bit awkward yesterday and I was lucky to unscrew it rather than pop it up.

Clear the water out, put ice cubes on and leave it and it might pop up. Works for mine when nothing else will. I think the cooling effect shrinks things slightly, allowing it to release. I also agree with never pressing it again, but visitors do sometimes!

We have one of these, I hate it and live in fear of somebody pressing it down!! Agree that cold water and patience work, sometimes if you just leave it a while and then give it another press, it will work - and then never press it down again!

Hadn’t thought of ice cubes. For those of you saying prise it up, it’s stuck with the round plug bit below the rim.

Thanks so much everyone for suggestions!

I used a sucker on the bottom of a washing up brush when this happened to our sink. Good luck!

When these pop-up wastes get stuck to the degree yours has I am afraid it will need to be replaced. If you have good access to the underside of the sink it is not a bad job but if you don't have any tools or plumbing experience then best to get a professional to do it.
We stopped using pop-up wastes a few years ago for this reason and now we only fit 'captive wastes' which are the ones where the waste rotates to open. Even with these you need to periodically use a little silicone grease on the outer rim to ensure proper operation. Best of luck.

Thanks @LakesDad

I can’t access the underside of the sink easily and I’m not experienced at all 😞

Can a plumber replace the plug with one with a different mechanism? I’ll know for the future not to not use the plug for years and then try to use it…

This happens to ours often- so annoying! I always remove the water using a jug, then punch it with a closed fist (like you'd have your fist for 'rock, paper, scissors'. It seems to free it, then the button works again.

I used a sucker from the sunscreen things in the car, the ones you stick to the backseat windows. It worked

I've replaced a few.

You'll need to remove the old one to see if it has slots in the side. These are for sinks that have a built in overflow.

Take the old one to Screwfix and say you want a replacement.

Also buy a roll of PTFE tape.

At least 20 tight wraps of PTFE tape will need to be applied to the metal thread of the replacement waste fitting. It needs to be positioned on the thread where the black plastic 'nut' sits when tightened. This tape will prevent water seeping between the metal thread and the plastic nut. Without PTFE tape the new fitting will almost certainly leak. This might only apply to slotted fittings, but I'd apply PTFE to both types of waste fittings.

Slotted for sinks that have a built in overflow.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/flomasta-sprung-basin-waste-slotted/41691

Unslotted
https://www.screwfix.com/p/flomasta-sprung-basin-waste-unslotted/73414

PTFE tape
https://www.screwfix.com/p/ptfe-tape-12m-x-12mm/76841

The black plastic nut should only be tightened by hand. Too tight and it will deform the plastic washer in the sink or, worst case scenario, break the sink.

Yes it can be replaced with any type you wish including just the simple pull out plug. It's about a half hour job for a plumber...

I would recommend using Plumbers Mait and not PTFE, and we normally change the supplied plastic nut for a brass one ....also available at Screwfix or similar.
You won't get any leaks if fastened properly.