How to Install a Tailpiece Onto a Kitchen Sink

Make a rope out of plumber’s putty by rolling it between your hands. Wrap the putty around the rim of the drain hole in the sink and the press the drain into the hole.

Slide the washers or gaskets that came with the drain piece over the bottom of the drain, under the sink. Spread pipe-joint compound onto all of the exposed threads on the drain piece.

Tighten the locknut onto the bottom of the drain piece by hand. Insert screwdrivers into the drain’s grids from the inside of the sink, holding the drain piece in place as you tighten the locknut on the underside with a pair of channel-lock pliers. You'll probably need a helper to hold the screwdrivers while you tighten the locknut.

Slide the metal nut that came with the tailpiece over the end without the lip, sliding it up toward the end with the lip. Insert the washer that came with the tailpiece into the end of the tailpiece with the lip, with the flat side of the washer pointing up.

Thread the metal nut on the end of the tailpiece onto the threads on the sink’s drain piece, using your hand. Tighten the nut with the channel-lock pliers, stopping once the nut resists turning. Do not overtighten.