Fix That Drip Under The Sink

If your pipes leak under the bathroom or kitchen sink, you may be able to fix the problem without calling a plumber.

Here are the components that make up the piping under your sink. The section of pipe directly below the sink is the tailpiece, and the pipe that runs into the wall is the waste arm.

The U or S shaped pipe in the middle is called the trap. Its joints typically are screwed to the tailpiece and waste arm with ring-shaped slip-joint nuts. Rubber washers keep the joints water-tight, although the middle joint may not have a washer.

Place a pail under the trap and rags within easy reach. Now remove the trap by loosening the slip-joint nuts with slip-joint pliers or with a small pipe wrench. While you're doing this, hold the tailpiece or waste arm with your hand or another wrench so it won't turn as you loosen the nut.

After you remove the trap, clean and inspect everything. You're probably going to find a rusted hole, cracked washers or a damaged joint.

But before you go to the store to replace the bad part, stuff a rag in the waste arm to keep out sewer gases. Not only do these gases smell, they're also flammable and poisonous.

Take the old parts along with you so you can find matching replacements. And remember to pick up new rubber washers. You always need to replace them when you loosen the slip joint nuts.

Back at your sink, place the new rubber washers on the tailpiece and the waste arm. Make sure they aren’t twisted. Then put the trap piece back and tighten the joint nuts by hand. This doesn't require any tape or joint compound, just good washers.

When everything looks right, use your pliers or wrench to tighten the joints until they're just firm. Don't over-tighten them. A turn of 90 to 180 degrees past hand-tight should do it.

Now comes the test. Run water in the sink. If you have a small leak, tighten the joints slightly. If you don't see any leaks, put the stopper in the sink and fill it with water. Then release the stopper. If it doesn't leak, you've successfully completed a basic plumbing job!

Many tools for plumbing jobs, including wrenches and sewer snakes, are available for rent at most rental centers.