Choose a drain assembly kit that fits your sink. A drain assembly kit will contain a basket strainer, locking nut, rubber washer, friction ring, and a brass tailpiece to connect the drain to the drainpipes. Make sure you have all of the pieces you’ll need to install your drain and make sure the drain fits into the drain hole at the bottom of your sink. Measure the drain hole to make sure you choose a basket strainer that fits. If your sink has an existing basket strainer, use it as a model to help purchase your new one so you know it will fit. Make sure the tailpiece fits your drainpipes as well, and choose a brass tailpiece so it lasts longer. You can find sink drain assembly kits at your local hardware store, at department stores, and online.

Disconnect the drainpipe and remove the existing strainer if there is one. Use a pair of pliers to turn the metal fittings on the drainpipe and then separate it from the tailpiece on the underside of the drain. Then, unscrew the nut on the underside of the basket strainer with a basket wrench and pull out the strainer from the drain hole at the bottom of the sink. If you’re installing a kitchen sink drain onto a sink that’s already installed and has drainpipes hooked up to it, you need to disconnect them before you install the drain. Be careful not to damage the pipes with the pliers when you separate them.

Apply a 2-part epoxy putty for the most durable temporary fix. A 2-part epoxy putty is made up of a base and a hardener that solidify around your pipe when they’re mixed together. Just knead both putties in your hand until they’re thoroughly combined. Then, press the putty onto the section of pipe that’s leaking so it’s about ⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) thick. Leave the putty to cure for the amount of time listed on the packaging before running water through your drain again. You can buy 2-part epoxy putty from your local hardware store. You can use it on any type of pipe. Even if the putty stops your leak, look for a more permanent solution to the leak as soon as you can.

Wrap self-securing silicone tape around the pipe if there’s only a minor leak. Silicone tape works best around the joints in your drain pipe since it’s meant for low-flow leaks. Pull the tape tight and wrap it around the pipe, overlapping half of the piece underneath it with each rotation. Keep wrapping your tape past the edges of the leak so it forms a tight seal. Silicone tape won’t stick directly to your pipe, but it will stick to itself, so it’s easy to remove later on. It also works on any type of pipe so it’s pretty versatile.