how would you remove this broken drain pipe from a sink attached with silicone?

[snickers muncher]

Someone has asked me to fix one of their bathroom sinks. The flange on the drain pipe has broken and there is now no connection between the sink and plumbing. It appears to be attached with silicone. How would you remove it? Just the flange is attached. The drain stopper you see is being held up by the p trap. I'm thinking heating it with a hair dryer or heat gun and then trying to pry it up with a small flat head screw driver. What would you guys do? The countertop is cultured stone and the sink basin may be as well. It'll be a couple of days before I can look at it.

Should I go with the no stain plumber's putty or use silicone again for the replacement? I've had regular plumber's putty fail a few times over the years, but the two times I've used silicone there was no failure. Of course, plumber's putty is easily removed.

Thanks.

 

[cvairwerks]

Some light to medium heat with a bit of pressure from a small hydraulic jack.... Might need to use a utility blade to help cut the silicone as it lifts.

 

[Kaizen]

if the flange on the bottom is broken you should be able to just push it up. i would not pry it as you described as it will chip the bowl.
I think there is a tool you can put down in there once you remove the stopper that allows you to turn it. Maybe that is on a specific one i installed. opened wrench can sometimes grab and turn it from the inside.

 

[snickers muncher]

Only the top flange is attached as it is completely broken off from the pipe. The stopper and pipe below the basin is being held up by the p trap. I'll try your advise though and see if there is enough lip to press up from below with a screw driver after warming it.

 

[50of4064]

I may be missing something here, but has the nut been spun off the stopper flange body from under the sink? Is that what you are referring to as only being attached by silicone? Or is the silicone the filler material to keep the damaged top of the stopper piece from leaking? Check under the sink, there is a threaded portion of this flange that protruds under the sink and is normally held in place by a flange nut, that is tightened from underneath. The top portion of the stopper lip can be broken, yet the rest of the tail pipe may still be under tension by that flange nut.

 

[50of4064]

I may be missing something here, but has the nut been spun off the stopper flange body from under the sink? Is that what you are referring to as only being attached by silicone? Or is the silicone the filler material to keep the damaged top of the stopper piece from leaking? Check under the sink, there is a threaded portion of this flange that protruds under the sink and is normally held in place by a flange nut, that is tightened from underneath. The top portion of the stopper lip can be broken, yet the rest of the tail pipe may still be under tension by that flange nut.

If the style of tail pipe is attaced from above by the chrome skushion stopper chrome ring, then release the riser from the P-trap, and then try your best with a little heat and persuasive application of possibly a wooden dowel, remove said stuck upper skutchen ring.

 

[50of4064]

If the style of tail pipe is attaced from above by the chrome skushion stopper chrome ring, then release the riser from the P-trap, and then try your best with a little heat and persuasive application of possibly a wooden dowel, remove said stuck upper skutchen ring.

Plumbing *****..good luck

 

[snickers muncher]

Taking the pipes apart is not an issue as it is free. The only issue is the silicone that was used instead of plumber's putty. There is no pipe to use for leverage to free the broken piece glued to the basin with silicone.

I will not be able to look at it until Sat. The pipe was left in place because it's a vacation rental with guests staying there currently. There's two basins, but I'm sure some kid or swift person will remove the envelope saying not to use from the facet and use it or pour something down it. At least with the broken pipe still there less will spill into the cabinet.

 

[carlaisle]

When you glue a sink drain in like that the sink becomes disposable. I'd say it will definitely cost X dollars to replace the top/drain and replumb. If someone insists they have to keep what they have, it's going to be materials plus time and aggravation to uninstall and replace the failure and they're informed up front there's no guarantee it comes out. If the top breaks in the process, that gets added to the bill.

If your plumber's putty is failing you need different product or different training. It is definitely what you should be using in this application.

 

[Fav Onefour]

Silicone shouldn't have much grip on that sink and flange. I'm shocked that it's even in place.

It's not going to take much to get it loose. Avoid the screwdriver though. No reason to scuff up the good sink surface.

I have a sneaky feeling there is something else holding it in place.
Verify that there isn't a nut or collar under the sink holding the tailpiece. If it's truly just hanging there, pop out the stopper and get in there with your fingers and grippy mechanics gloves.

If you see drain cleaner in the cabinet, throw it away. Tailpiece pipe should not rot that badly.

Use plumbers putty on the reinstall.

 

[rooster59]

Lookup internal pipe wrench. May need to jam a piece of leather or similar to take up some space.

 

[snickers muncher]

I got it off with no trouble. Once I took the p trap loose the whole works just fell out the bottom. I put a hair dryer on the stuck ring while I cut the new drain pipe to length. I then used a radiator hose pick and was able to work it under and around the ring and pop it out. I used a plastic scrubber to clean everything up.

 

[PFSard]

Don't you just love it when it's easier than expected? Thanks for following up with your solution.

 

[cmandp]

Don't you just love it when it's easier than expected? Thanks for following up with your solution.

And especially with plumbing!