AboutSharon McCarthy Expertise I can help with most questions about residential plumbing problems including septic systems, and some questions about irrigation. I have no experience with commercial installations or codes.
Experience I have been a sole-proprietor service plumber in two small towns north of Phoenix Arizona for 26 years.
Publications I had a monthly column in the United Steelworkers of America, local 1033, newsletter 1978 to 1982. I wrote an article for "The Theosophist" in 1977. I've written dozens of letters to the editor in many newspapers.
Education/Credentials High school and three years of college. My step-father, having worked 40 years in the plumbing trade in Chicago, taught me for two years. The rest has been hands-on experience.
Past/Present Clients Many hundreds of good people in Cave Creek and Carefree Arizona
Question I have a double bowl console sink which is too deep for the pop-up assembly included with my bath faucets. The rods included with the faucets is too short to connect the drain with the lever that makes it pop up. Is it possible to buy another rod that is about four inches longer so that this thing will work? The faucet manufacturer was of no help with this. Thanks.
Answer Dear Mary,
I'm sitting here thinking about this. I know exactly what you are talking about, your description was crystal clear. I have never come across this particular problem before. but I have installed faucets where the rod came down way far back and wouldn't drop into the lift connector. I had to bend the lift connector to bring it forward enough to meet the rod.
I have seen pop-up rods sold separately but I don't know if you can find one that will be long enough to make up the four inches you need.
All the different styles and brands of faucets I've installed over 26 years, I've also seem various lengths of lift connectors, the part that hooks the pull rod on top with the ball rod below. I'm thinking that you might find it easier to modify that lift connector by extending it somehow.
You can buy lift connectors at the hardware store. There is a row of holes along the length of this part. If you bend it at a hole, back and forth a few times, it will break off.
I have an idea. Buy two of them. Break off about a six inch piece from each. Buy some screws that would be small enough to go through those holes, and some nuts to match. Connect the extra pieces to the existing lift connectors with the screws and nuts and tighten.
This would give you another 4 inches down below to hook the lift rods to them. Might work! Probably easier than trying to find longer lift rods. Let me know if this worked. Sharon
