Getting the right sink strainer for your bathroom or kitchen can make a huge difference. A sink strainer is integrated with a metal sieve with holes that help keep big particles of food, hair, and other solid debris out of the water drain system. Hardware in your plumbing system is necessary to help prevent clogging in your sink and maintain good hygiene in your kitchen or showers. Given the various options, knowing what to search for is imperative to guarantee you acquire a good fit for your sink.

Types of Sink Strainers

1. Basket Strainers: These are the most commonly seen in kitchens nowadays. This is mainly because they are highly affordable, easy to clean, and have a slightly larger surface area that increases water flow while still gathering fine dirt. The only downside of basket strainers is that they sometimes get stuck and may be difficult to remove during cleaning. However, Plumbstar’s Floor Sink Basket Strainer is great for restaurants and is simple to remove so you can dispose of solids in the trash.
2. Stopper Strainer: Usually seen in kitchen sinks, stopper strainers also function as stoppers, allowing you to load the sink with water for soaking or cleaning. Acting exactly like any other sink strainer, the stopper sieves debris from your plumbing system when the stopper is not in use. It has a mechanical switch positioned to make changing its function quick and simple.
3. Flange strainer: This premium strainer can be used in both bathroom and kitchen sinks. Flange strainers are usually made of brass or stainless steel, which makes them more durable than others. The design consists of a wide, flat rim that fits over the sink drain and ensures no leakage by connecting to the bottom of the sink. This design makes it more expensive and complex to install.
4. Plate Strainer: A plate strainer has the most basic design out of all the sink strainers. It is an easy-to-install device that uses a perforated plate to filter water. Plumberstar’s Flat Drain Strainer for Compartment Kitchen Sinkis made of stainless steel 201,304 and 316, It’s a good choice for catching food debris and easy to make kitchen sink clean.
5. Double Cup Strainer: There are two cups to the double cup strainer. One cup is a fixed, solid piece that stays firmly inside the sink, while the second is a removable piece that may be removed and replaced as needed. This layout makes washing the washbasin after handling food or dishes a breeze.

How to Choose the Right Sink Strainer

To ensure your plumbing system remains in great shape, special consideration must be put into selecting a sink strainer for your kitchen sink. While you may want to get a good option, there are other factors that you must consider to secure a sink strainer that perfectly meets your needs.

1. The Nature of the Material

The kind of material used to make a sink strainer dictates the quality and performance you get from it. Stainless steel may be your first choice for sink strainers because of its rust resistance and robustness. Still, silicone sink strainers are a fantastic alternative because they provide flexibility and are easy to clean.

Plastic strainers are a less expensive substitute if you’re on a budget, but be advised they won’t last as long or operate as well, particularly in high temperatures. Though they are more expensive, brass strainers offer a touch of classic elegance and excellent longevity.

2. The Size and Fit

Measure the diameter of your sink drain to select a strainer that exactly fits before you buy. Although this might vary, kitchen sink drains usually come in standard sizes—between 3.5 and 4.5 inches. On the other hand, bathroom sinks like the Aluminum Dome Floor Strainer often feature smaller or differently shaped drains, therefore measuring precisely is especially crucial. Get the necessary information you need before purchasing by looking up the specs of your sink.

3. Ease of Cleaning

Selecting the proper sink strainer may be difficult, particularly concerning the ease of cleaning. While you want a strainer that captures tiny particles, this usually results in smaller holes that clog easily and are more difficult to clean, causing hygienic problems and, over time, lower efficiency.

Strainers with larger holes, like the Perforated Stainless Steel Drain, which is great for commercial purposes, make cleaning easy but may allow more debris to pass through, eventually blocking your drains.

Ultimately, it’s a trade-off between ease of cleaning and effective particle-catching. Consider your personal preference. Do you mind cleaning your strainer regularly, or would you rather risk dealing with drain clogs down the line?

4. Considering the Drain Stopper Function

Another factor you may want to consider is getting a strainer with a stopper function. It can be used to block the drain, therefore allowing the sink to fill with water for use in dishwashing.

Search for strainers that effortlessly mix the strainer and stopper features to provide effective drainage and the capacity to close the drain as required. Plumbstar’s Kitchen Twist Lever Waste Drain is simple to operate by pressing the lever to open the drain and let water out.

5. Design and Aesthetics

Although functionality is most important, your sink strainer’s design and appearance will greatly improve the general look of your bathroom or kitchen. While serving its basic purpose, a well-selected strainer may accentuate your current décor and provide a little flair.

Consider chrome or stainless steel coatings for a sleek, modern appearance. Brass or bronze choices can be more fitting if you want a more rustic or vintage vibe. Certain strainers also have decorative elements or unique shapes that would give your sink area a different flare.

6. Plumbing Compatibility

Think of a sink strainer as a jigsaw piece that has to match exactly with the tailpiece of your drain. Prevention of leaks, water damage, and annoying clean-ups depends on compatibility.

Two basic kinds of connections should be taken into account: threaded connections, which screw straight together, therefore removing the need for additional fasteners, and flanged connections, which employ nuts and a washer to provide a tight seal. Make sure your strainer’s size and flange suit your drain’s tailpiece or that its threads match the tailpiece of your drain for a tight fit.

How to Replace a Sink Strainer

After buying the right sink strainer, installing it is a simple process that can done by following these simple steps. But first, ensure you have the following tools:

• Plumber’s putty or silicone sealant
• Adjustable wrench
• Pipe wrench
• Bucket
• Towel

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prepare the Area: Place a bucket beneath the sink to collect any water that could spill throughout the operation. Also, a towel should be laid on the sink to collect dirt and guard it from scratches. This will help to avoid damage to the sink’s surface and simplify cleaning.
2. Remove the Old Strainer: Lose the slip nuts on the drain pipes linked to the old sink strainer using an adjustable wrench. Set away the carefully disconnected drain pipes. Under the sink, loosen and remove the big locknut, keeping the strainer in place using a pipe wrench. From underneath, raise the old strainer up and out of the sink. Thoroughly clean the sink area to get rid of any trash or old putty.
3. Apply Plumber’s Putty: Roll a bit of the plumber’s putty into a snake-like form. Lace the putty around the underside edge of the new sink strainer’s lip. When the strainer is pushed into position, this will form a watertight seal.
4. Insert the New Strainer: From above, slip the new strainer into the sink’s drain hole. Press it hard so the plumber’s putty seals everything. Make sure that the strainer seats correctly in the hole and is centered.
5. Secure the Strainer: Slide the rubber gasket and, if available, cardboard washer under the sink onto the threaded tailpiece of the strainer. Screw on the locknut by hand, then tighten it with a pipe wrench. Take care not to overtighten, which might harm the strainer or sink. The locknut should be tight enough to securely hold the strainer without causing any cracks or deformation.
6. Reconnect the Drain Pipes: Tighten the slip nuts with an adjustable wrench, and then re-connect the drain pipes to the tailpiece of the strainer. To stop any leaks, be sure every connection is tight and secure. Verify that the pipes are seated and positioned correctly, free of gaps or misalignments. You want things to flow naturally to prevent any problems.
7. Check for Leaks: After your strainer is set up, clean any extra plumber’s putty that has been squeezed out. Turn on the water then, and look for leaks. Should you find any, tighten the links. Early identification of such leaks is crucial to prevent water damage or later plumbing problems.

Conclusion

Getting the right sink strainer saves you a lot of expenses on plumbing repairs. Evaluate all the factors above and ensure that you choose a sink strainer that not only meets your needs but also complements the decor of your kitchen or bathroom.

Plumbstar makes the best sink strainers for homes and businesses. Whether for your home kitchen, restaurant, food processing workshop, or bathroom floor. Contact Plumberstar now for a free estimate on a sink strainer that meets your specifications.