Basin pop up stuck: why it happens
A pop-up that will not open or close usually has one of three causes.
- Hair and soap build-up. Hair wraps around the plug stem and soap binds it into a mat, so the plug cannot seal or lift far enough to drain.
- A worn click-clack spring. A push-to-open plug latches up and down on a small spring inside it. When the spring wears, the plug may refuse to stay up or to lock shut.
- A loose pivot rod or clevis. On a lever type, the lift rod behind the tap connects under the basin to a strap called a clevis, which moves a pivot rod into the waste. If a screw or the pivot nut works loose, the lever moves but the plug does not.
A pop up waste stuck shut while the lever moves freely usually points to the linkage under the basin. If the plug moves normally but water still sits in the bowl, the blockage is more likely in the trap below.
How to free the plug
Empty the basin and put a towel underneath first.
- Open the plug. Press a click-clack plug so it springs up, lift the lever on a lever type, or turn the cap on a twist type.
- Take the plug out. Unscrew the raised cap anti-clockwise by hand. On a lever type, loosen the pivot nut under the basin, draw the pivot rod back and lift the plug out.
- Clean the plug and waste. Pull the hair off the stem and wipe soap scum from the plug, its seal and the inside of the waste.
- Refit the plug. Screw the plug back in clockwise until it is snug. On a lever type, drop the plug in, push the pivot rod back through its slot and retighten the pivot nut by hand.
- Test with a full basin. Fill the basin, check the plug holds, then open it and watch it drain. Look underneath for drips.
Clear the basin choke below
If the plug is clean and the basin still drains slowly, the choke is probably in the trap underneath. HDB's guide to sinks and wash basins says the common trap for wash basins and kitchen sinks in HDB flats is the bottle trap, and that chokes come from solid matter or hardened grease. To clear it, HDB says to twist the lower section off anti-clockwise, remove the solid matter with a wire hook or thin stick, flush with water and screw the section back clockwise.
Put a bucket under the trap first to catch the water it holds, and check for drips after you refit it. For a choke under the kitchen tap instead, see how to unclog a kitchen sink.
To stop the choke coming back, HDB's floor traps guide asks you not to pour cooking oil or discard food waste and solid items down the floor trap or sink.
Who can replace the waste or trap
The Public Utilities Board (PUB) says on its Plumbing Works page that regulated water service and sanitary plumbing works must be done by a PUB Licensed Plumber, except listed simple plumbing works that a handyman may do. On the sanitary side, that list includes installing, replacing or removing any washbasin or sink, including the bottle trap or fitting trap below it, and clearing any blockage in any floor trap, water closet or sanitary appliance. PUB also advises discussing scope and cost first, asking for itemised quotes and getting at least three quotes.
If the basin itself is cracked or you want a new one fitted, see basin installation and the guide to basin replacement cost.
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FROM THE HOMEZYPRO DIRECTORY
Published bottle trap replacement rates
For the most common unit (per job), the lowest published bottle trap replacement rates from 10 companies run from S$40 to S$100 per job (middle rate S$50), to replace one kitchen sink trap. The middle figure is a real published rate, not an average. Each figure is one company's own advertised rate with its conditions, not a quote.
See 10 published bottle trap replacement rates and sources
| Company | Service as listed | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plumber - Singapore Plumbing 24hrs | Supply & Replace Water Trap for Kitchen Sink | From S$40 per job | singaporeplumbing24hrs.com.sg |
| GD Plumbing | Replace bottle trap for kitchen sink | From S$50 per job | gdplumbing.com.sg |
| Home Plumbers Singapore | Supply and replace a kitchen-sink bottle trap | From S$50 per job | homeplumbers.com.sg |
| SG1 Plumber Singapore | Sink Bottle Trap Replacement | S$50 per job | sg1plumber.com |
| Sin Plumbing Singapore | Supply & replace bottle trap for kitchen sink | From S$50 per job | sinplumbing.com |
| Uncle Plumber | Supply and Replace bottle trap for kitchen sink | From S$50 per job | uncleplumber.sg |
| Kiasu Plumber | Supply & install bottle trap (kitchen sink) | From S$80 per job | kiasuplumber.com |
| Best Plumbing | Supply & replace bottle trap for kitchen sink | From S$100 per job | bestplumbing.com.sg |
| SR Power Plumber Pte. Ltd. | Supply & replace bottle trap for kitchen sink | From S$100 per job | srpowerplumber.com |
| Summer Plumbing Service | Supply & replace bottle trap for kitchen sink | From S$100 per job | sgplumbing.com.sg |
10 companies publish a bottle trap replacement line, and all 10 price it per job. Their lowest published rates run from S$40 to S$100 per job as printed, with S$50 in the middle, the rate both middle companies print. The scope as printed is to replace one kitchen sink trap, so check what each price covers and ask whether it applies to a basin trap.
FROM THE HOMEZYPRO DIRECTORY
Published choke clearing rates
For the most common unit (per job), the lowest published choke clearing rates from 22 companies run from S$50 to S$150 per job (middle rate S$80), to clear one choke in a toilet bowl, floor trap or sink. The middle figure is a real published rate, not an average.
See 22 published choke clearing rates and sources
| Company | Service as listed | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kiasu Plumber | Remove kitchen sink choke | From S$50 per job | kiasuplumber.com |
| SG1 Plumber Singapore | Floor-trap Choke Cleaning | S$50 per job | sg1plumber.com |
| AquaHero Plumbing | Clear Clogged Floor Trap | S$60 per job | aquahero-plumbing.sg |
| EZ Plumber SG | Clear Clogged Floor Trap | S$60 per job | ezplumber.sg |
| Plumber - Singapore Plumbing 24hrs | Supply Labour to Clear Toilet Bowl Choke | From S$60 per job | singaporeplumbing24hrs.com.sg |
| Sin Plumbing Singapore | Clear clogged floor trap | From S$60 per job | sinplumbing.com |
| Uncle Plumber | Clear clogged floor trap | From S$60 per job | uncleplumber.sg |
| GD Plumbing | Clogged toilet bowl / Clearing toilet bowl choke | From S$70 per job | gdplumbing.com.sg |
| Hdbplumber Service SG | Clearing toilet bowl choke | From S$79 per job | hdbplumberservice.com.sg |
| Ace Plumbing Specialist | Clogged toilet bowl / clearing toilet bowl choke | From S$80 per job | aceplumbing.sg |
| Active Plumbing Singapore | Clearing toilet bowl choke | From S$80 per job | activeplumbing.sg |
| Home Plumbers Singapore | Clear a toilet bowl choke | From S$80 per job | homeplumbers.com.sg |
| PlumbersGuru Singapore | Basic unclogging starts . Complex jobs with grease traps or root intrusion cost more. We | From S$80 to S$150 per job | plumbersguru.com |
| PW Plumbing Services | Toilet Choke Clearing | S$90 to S$150 per job | pwplumbing.com.sg |
| SR Power Plumber Pte. Ltd. | Clearing toilet bowl choke / clogged toilet bowl | From S$90 per job | srpowerplumber.com |
| Huat Plumbing | Toilet Bowl Choke Clearing | From S$100 per job | huatplumbing.sg |
| Prima Technologies Pte. Ltd. (Prima Services) | Toilet Bowl Choke Clearing | From S$100 per job | primaservices.sg |
| Sk Plumber | Toilet bowl choke clearing | From S$115 per job | sksplumber.com |
| Best Plumbing | Clogged toilet bowl / Clearing toilet bowl choke | From S$120 per job | bestplumbing.com.sg |
| Summer Plumbing Service | Clogged toilet bowl / Clearing toilet bowl choke | From S$120 per job | sgplumbing.com.sg |
| NILE Plumbing | Clear Choke (Sink/Basin) | From S$150 per job | nileplumbingsg.com |
| Siam Engineering Pte Ltd | Choke Clearing & Drainage | S$150 per job | siamengineeringsg.com |
22 companies publish a choke clearing line, all priced per job. Their lowest published rates run from S$50 to S$150 per job as printed, with S$80 in the middle, the rate both middle companies print. The scope as printed is to clear one choke in a toilet bowl, floor trap or sink, and most lines name a toilet bowl or floor trap. One line printed for a sink or basin starts from S$150 per job, so ask whether a price covers your basin. For other chokes, see choked drain; for other jobs, see plumbing costs.
Questions
Can I remove a pop-up plug without tools?
Usually, yes. A click-clack plug unscrews anti-clockwise by hand once it is raised. On a lever type, you loosen the pivot nut under the basin first, which you can often do by hand. If a plug will not move, do not force a plastic waste with pliers.
Why does my basin plug not stay up?
The usual cause is a worn click-clack spring that can no longer hold the plug up. Hair and soap on the stem can also stop it latching, and on a lever type a loose pivot rod or clevis lets the plug drop. Clean the plug first, then tighten the linkage or replace the plug.
Can a handyman replace a basin waste?
Yes. PUB's Plumbing Works page lists installing, replacing or removing any washbasin or sink, including the bottle trap or fitting trap below it, among the simple plumbing works a handyman may do. Clearing any blockage in a sanitary appliance is on the same list. Take the old waste along to match its size and thread.
Should I use drain cleaner on a slow basin?
Try the plug and bottle trap first. Removing hair from the plug and solid matter from the trap often fixes the problem without any chemical. If you still use a drain cleaner, follow its label, use one product only and read about mixing cleaning products first. Never mix bleach with acid-based cleaners or ammonia.
Why does the basin smell after I clear it?
The trap is probably low on water or not sealing. Run the tap for a few seconds to refill the bottle trap, then check that the lower section is screwed back fully and its seal sits flat. If the smell stays, ask a licensed plumber to check the trap.
How do I stop hair choking the basin?
Lift the plug out and clear the hair off it regularly, before it builds up into a mat. Brush or comb hair into a bin rather than rinsing it down the basin, and wipe soap scum off the plug when you clean the basin.
Prices come only from the sourced company rates in the HomezyPro directory, shown with each company and its source.
Practical guidance for planning a home job in Singapore. Company prices come from the HomezyPro directory, each linked to its source; rules and safety points link to the agency or manufacturer that sets them. This is not a site inspection, a quote or professional advice for your home.
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