A suitable strainer in your kitchen sink may save you a lot of money on plumbing. All that food will get trapped in your sink pipe if the strainer diameter is larger or less than the drain diameter. That’s something no one wants!
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Are kitchen sink strainers a standard size?
There is no standard or universal size for kitchen sink strainers. The strainer’s size is determined by the diameter of your sink’s drain hole. However, the most typical kitchen strainer size is between 3-1/2 and 4.5 inches. This series is thought to accommodate most sink drain sizes.
Most contemporary houses come with sinks that feature a drain hole similar to this one. 3-1/2 inches is the approximate size. Kitchen sinks aren’t all created equal. The drain size in older homes is larger than in newer homes. Restaurant kitchen sinks are larger. The drain opening diameters grow in proportion to the size of the sinks. As you might expect, this means that a single standard-sized kitchen strainer won’t fit all drains.
The majority of kitchen sink strainers are made up of two sections. The strainer is detachable and the rimmed body is attached to the drain aperture. The strainer’s quality will be determined by the strainer’s kind, as well as the material and finish used. The ideal strainers to use are stainless steel and silicon strainers. Furthermore, we must point out that plastic strainers are not the finest alternative.
Metals, especially stainless steel, are used to make kitchen sink strainers. It’s perfectly positioned on the drain’s entrance. The strainer stops larger food bits from flowing down the drain while allowing liquid to flow freely through the perforations while dishes are rinsed in the sink. This, as previously stated, saves you money on drain and plumbing repairs! The pipe will clog every other week unless you use a strainer that is the right size.
What are the many varieties of kitchen sink strainers?
The basic purpose of all of these drains is to keep muck and food out of the drain. Strainers come in a variety of shapes and sizes:
Strainer for two cups
The strainer is made up of two cups, as you would expect from its name. Typically, one of the cups is fastened to the drain hole. The second cup sits on top of the linked one and may be removed for cleaning. The top cup serves as a stopper, while the bottom cup serves as a holder.
Strainer with Flange
The flange or a protective rim is linked to the sink end in this style. This rim ensures that there will be no water leakage.
Black Nuts Strainer
This strainer is installed in such a manner that it is linked to the plumbing system. It has a rubber seal to keep the area between the sink and the strainer closed. Water leakage is prevented by the rubber seal. The term refers to the black nut that keeps everything together.
Strainer Stopper
This strainer has two functions and is equipped with a switch. The switch transforms it from a strainer to a stopper and back again. The stopper strainer functions similarly to a traditional strainer, preventing larger particles from going through. When turned on, it prevents water from flowing down the drain.
Draining Strainer
The drain strainer is the most straightforward strainer to use. Simply put the strainer over the drain, and it will filter food through the drainage system without causing any problems.
Strainer with a Level
When the sink is full, this strainer blocks water from draining. It is activated by a circular plastic block that stops the water flow when it needs to.
Strainer Basket
Basket strainers are larger strainers that may catch a lot of trash and keep it out of the drain hole. The strainer is connected to the plumbing system and has a closed cap on the drain entrance.
Here are some examples of several kinds of kitchen sink strainers:
- Sink Strainer for Mushrooms
- Sink Strainer Basket by Highcraft
- Stopper for OXO 2-in-1 Sink Strainer
- Sink Basket Strainer by Highcraft
- Stopper for Sink Strainer
- Flange & Strainer for Delta Faucet
- Fengbao Sink Strainer 2PCS
- Kitchen Sink Strainer by Plumb Pak
How do you determine the size of a sink strainer plug?
Place your measuring tape over the bottom of the sink. This will provide you with the precise dimension of the plughole space. When measuring, keep in mind that the metal ring surrounding the drain cannot be seen. Simply measure the inside rim of the sink strainer plug to find out its exact diameter.
Another option is to use an old strainer plug to determine the size of the plug. Simply measure across the diameter from the top if you’re looking for a replacement. Measure the depth of the old strainer in the same way. However, if you want more accuracy, we suggest using the first method of measuring the inner rim of the tire.
How do you determine the size of a sink drain opening?
The first step in determining the suitable size of the kitchen strainer is to determine the size of the drain hole. It’s not enough to just run your measuring scale diagonally across the aperture. You must do the following steps:
- To begin, get a measuring tape, a pen, and some paper to jot down everything.
- Measure the circumference of the circular drain’s top. Calculate the distance between the two points on the circle. Keep in mind that this is the drain’s broadest section.
- Next, insert the measuring tape into the drain by the edge, holding it upright. Measure how deep the shallow area is. This is to ensure that the strainer’s body fits precisely.
- To be sure, go through the procedure again. For a traditional strainer, this will suffice.
The strainer you choose should have a strainer lip that is slightly larger than the drain hole. To fit without difficulty, the strainer’s body must be somewhat smaller than the indicated drain diameter. If all of this is too much for you, just replace the old one.
What is the best way to utilize a kitchen sink strainer?
Strainers for the kitchen sink are simple to use. The perforated holes on the strainer ensure that only water and other liquids flow through it when you wash dirty dishes. This implies that all of the solid food will be left in the sink. You may clean the space after each hard dishwashing operation by tossing away the solid leftovers. Remove the detachable strainer and wash it before reinstalling it in the drain.
Strainers with smaller pores are usually more efficient because they can catch the majority of the solid food that falls through. However, be sure to clean it every day, or else the strainer may get clogged.
How do you replace a strainer in a kitchen sink?
We recognize that plumbers are expensive. If you wish to change the sink strainer on your own, here are some instructions to get you started:
- Check to see if there is a leak in the sink first. Place a kitchen towel or a piece of thin fabric between the drain and the sink to do this. Fill the sink with water by turning on the faucet. There is a leak if the tissue or clothes becomes wet. If this is not the case, go to the next step.
- Remove the nut that has been intergraded. You’ll need slip-joint pliers to unscrew the nut. Slacken the locknut on the sink strainer using joint pliers once again.
- In the following phase, enlist the assistance of your family. Someone should hold a screwdriver between the grips of the strainer grate.
- After that, you’ll need to add the plumber’s putty to the drain opening’s top or lip.
- Attach the strainer to the putty and firmly push it in place. While pressing it down, add the rest of the sink strainer’s components.
- Close and tighten the locknut once more.
A kitchen strainer serves a purpose other than keeping debris out of your sink line. It also maintains the sink area free of germs and odors. A fitting strainer that matches the size of your drain hole may save you a lot of hassles while being a little addition to your kitchen equipment.