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Are Kitchen Sink Plugs Universal? (Explained for Beginners)

Despite the size, a kitchen sink plug servers a big role in the plumbing devices. A sink plug keeps the debris away from going into the sink hole. This stops the kitchen sink from getting blocked with its and bits from the cleaning. 

Unlike the whole setup of the kitchen sink, a kitchen sink plug comes in a standard size. There are many designs but with a universal measurement.

Are kitchen sink plugs a standard size?

Yes, kitchen sink plugs come in a standard size. The standard measurement of a sink plug for kitchen is 1 3/4 inch. Sometimes old sinks may have a slight different size, for example a 2 inch plug. The size still remains around the standard measurement set. The size range is universal.

A kitchen sink plug can sometimes be used as a standard plug in the basket strainer. The average size of any standard kitchen sink strainer is around 3 1/2 inches. 

Though the size of a strainer is larger for rather obvious reasons, a sink plug serves the same purpose if used accordingly. This is why the measurement size remains on the average scale, which is used and found everywhere. 

Though the kitchen sink itself comes in various shapes, designs and sizes, the sink plug usually ranges around the standard set of measurements. Despite the company or the manufacturer or even the model, the sink plug almost always remains the same size. 

There is a different set of standard measurements for bathroom sink plugs, 1 1/2 inch. 

The purpose of any kitchen sink plug is the same, which is to stop the debris from going into the drainpipe and clogging the pipeline. 

This prevents the drain from clogging and keeps the kitchen plumbing device safe and useful for a long time. Every kitchen sink plug has the same purpose. This is why the sink plugs are of the same size. 

The kitchen sink plugs are never up front so the size and design of the plug rarely matters. The plugs attract very less attention to the eye as well. The only purpose of the sink plugs are to keep dirt away from the drain pipes and contain water in the sink. 

And this purpose is universal, despite the model, manufacturer or the region. This is why the sink plugs remain within the standard range of measurement. 

There is a wide range of designs for a sink plug nowadays. Some companies offer their own range of designs. 

The local and wholesale market has many designs as well from local manufacturers. All the manufacturers follow the same range of measurements. As the sink plugs are not customized. 

What size are sink plugs?

There is a standard measurement for different types of sink plugs. The sizes differ a bit according to the place it is to be set. Some standard sets of sizes for sink plugs might be-

  • Standard size sink plugs are 1 3/4 inch for kitchen sinks and baths ; 
  • For bathroom sinks, the standard size is 1 1/2 inch ; 
  • Black Or White Rubber Basin Sink Bath Plug Size 1 1/2″ or 1 3/4″ (White, 1 1/2) ;
  • Sink plugs come in various sizes such as:
    • 1 inch, 
    • 1 1/4 inch, 
    • 1 3/8 inch, 1 5/8 inch, 1 7/8 inch, 
    • 2 inch, 
    • 2 1/4 inch, 
    • 2 3/8 inch,
    •  2 1/2 inch. 

Are there any universal sink plugs?

Yes, as a matter of fact there are many universal sink plugs. These plumbings are mostly used while traveling.

They are handy for both baths and sinks. The universal sink plug blocks the drain hole to keep the debris away from the sink. 

This drain stopper is designed to fit into different drain hole size. The cover are usually suction-style, and they are placed over the drain opening, which keeps the water in the sink basin. Plugs like Universal Kitchen Sink Stopper and InSinkErator STP-SS Sink Stopper, are universal sink plugs.

The major use of this device comes when traveling as it provides much convenience. The small yet handy plumbing item hardly takes any place, the accommodation is the last concern for it. 

The sink plugs are rather useful, compared to its’ size. The plugs can be used to soak in the bathtub as well as washing the clothes in the sink.

For a regular traveler, the sink plugs are a must-have. And judging by the cost of it, everyone should keep one around the house just in case.

How do you measure sink plugs?

The kitchen plugs usually come in a standard size, but in some regions the sizes are large, small and standard. This is when measuring the plug becomes hard work. 

Tape measures will be your right-hand tool for this. The area that needs to be measured is the diameter of the drain mesh. It can be measured from the underside of the current plug as well.

Avoid measuring the top of the plug because the top of the plugs can be wider than the base of the sink. This will result in a larger plug than the sink hole, which won’t fit. 

Are plug holes the same size?

The plug holes fall in the same standard measurement set and are always the same size. So yes, one will not be wrong if they say that the plug holes are the same size. 

The design and size of the sinks may vary according to the design, but the sink and plug holes usually remain in the standard measurement set, which is 1.25 inches. 

The size of the standard are generally 1.25 inches, and the width of it is 1.5. In some models, 1.625 inches is also noticed. 

The size of the plug holes rarely depend on the model or the design as the purpose of the plug holes are to drain water. The flow of the water needs to be constant while at the same time not putting too much pressure on the drain pipe. This is why the plug holes are almost always in the same range of measurements. 

What size are basin plugs?

The size of the basin plugs are also universal, as it serves the same purpose as the sink plugs. The bathroom basin plugs are usually 1-1/4″.

If we consider it more closely, a basin plug and a sink plug are usually of the same size. This is why the manufacturers use the same set of measurements for the basin plugs. 

Basin plugs are easily replaceable and there are many designs available in the market. All the local manufacturers use the same set of measurements. 

How do you remove a pop up sink plug?

Pop-up sinks have become very popular in recent times as the plugs help control the flow of the through the drain pipes. By pressing the pop-up, the plug locks the drain and stops the water from going down the drain. With one more press, the contained water goes through the pipe hole as the drain opens up.

This easily accessible device gets stuck and temporarily stops working. This is when you need to remove the sink plug and fix the problem. It is very important for anyone with a pop up plug to learn how to remove the pop-up sink plug.

To remove the pop-up sink plug one needs to follow some very simple step-

  • Step 1: Turn the plug clockwise and lift the plug
  • Step 2: Find the pop up plug tailpipe under the cabinet and open it;
  • Step 3: Locate the sink tailpipe nut connected with the plug extension and remove it;
  • Step 4: Find the pivot rod and remove it.

In these 4 easy step you can find and remove the sink plug smoothly. 

Can you replace plug hole in sink?

Yes, it is a very common practice to replace the plug hole of a sink. This has basically become a part of spring cleaning in maximum households. 

When a kitchen sink hole gets a bit on the rusty side it is better to replace the sink hole. The drain hole is the part that takes in all the debris and dirt literally. It is very common for the plug hole to get damaged.  And this is why most plug holes are easily replaceable.

Replacing the plug hole in a sink can be done in less than an hour with the assistance of a few specialized tools that most homeowners keep as an essential set of tools. 

The kitchen sink plug may seem as a small plumbing device, but the use of this device is huge and very important. The matters of this gadget should not be ignored. And more over the standard size of this small device also makes its’ maintenance rather easy.