Place your bucket under the existing trap. If you have a partner, this is a great time to bond over shared mild frustration. Unscrew the slip nuts—those plastic rings holding everything together—by hand first. If they’re stuck, use the pliers gently, like you’re handling a live crab.
Watch the water pour out. It’s always more than you expect, and it always smells like forgotten potato peels. That’s normal. Breathe through your mouth.
Measure Twice, Cut Once
Now, measure the distance from the sink drain outlet to the wall pipe. This is where most people panic. Relax. Standard pipe sections come in adjustable lengths. You’ll use a slip-joint extension tube that slides in and out like a telescope for plumbers.
Cut the PVC pipe with a cheap hacksaw. Wrap the threads of the drain basket with Teflon tape—three wraps, clockwise, like you’re wrapping a gift for a very small king. This prevents leaks and saves your sanity.
7 Steps: How to Install a Kitchen Sink Drain Pipe! – HOMYSTYLE