How can I get a plug out of this bathroom sink?

Question

A bit of background:

A week on this small sink is still full of water and not even a knife can slip in the gap to prise the plug out.

The plug is one of those ones where you plunge the lever behind the taps to lift it up, but this is broken and not connected.

Now for the excruciatingly annoying bit!

This sink basin is attached to the wall and the plumbing underneath is hidden behind a porcelain gaurd. The gaurd appears to be held on by two high tensile springs and then grouted to the tiles. Naturally the gaurd is in the way of somehow lifting the plug out of the sink from below.

Does anyone know what this is arrangement is called or what might happen if I just remove the springs?

It isn't my house, but I caused the mess and need to sort it out!

Thanks!

Answer 1

Sounds like a pedestal sink that was installed with no thought of future problems. If you can see the vertical pipe that comes down from the sink, there is a rod that lifts the stopper sticking out. Push down on it and the stopper should raise.

Answer 2

did you try using a shop vac. you might just have enough power to pull up the stopper

Answer 3

I've never even seen or heard of a lavatory like that, and I'm a plumber. My only suggestion would be to unscrew you trap, (the part that looks like a U), and work up from there. Once you got the trap off you could probably push the plug upwards from underneath with a s***w driver.