There is a significant likelihood that you have a leak if water is visible when you open the cupboard underneath your bathroom sink. Determining the precise source of a leak in a bathroom sink is a necessary step in fixing the leak. Once you have identified the source of the leak, you can either fix or replace the damaged component.
A faulty drainpipe, a loose pipe connection, or a leaking sink drain flange are the common causes of bathroom sink leaks. Find the location of your specific leak by filling the sink with water.
Sink Drain Flange Cleaning
First, stop the water supply.
Turn off the house’s water supply.
Step 2: Unplug the drain from the sink trap
To remove the slip nut holding the sink trap to the main drain line coming from the wall, use a pair of tongue-and-groove pliers. Remove the sink trap without loosening the nut. By releasing the slip nut connector, you can disconnect the sink trap from the sink’s drain. Swing the sink trap out of the way by gently pulling down on it to detach it from the sink pipe.
Release the stopper mechanism in step three.
To disconnect the slip nut holding the sink drainpipe to the sink drain, use tongue-and-groove pliers. This won’t be required if the sink drain has a built-in stopper. The stopper mechanism must be separated from the pull stem. A thumbscrew joins the two together. To release the stopper mechanism, counterclockwise-turn the thumb screw.
Step 4: Scrub the Flange’s Underside
The retaining nut holding the sink drain to the sink must be removed with a pipe wrench. Break the old plumber’s putty seal by tapping the sink drain from the bottom if necessary. Check the sink drain by lifting it out. Plumber’s putty can be removed by cleaning the sink hole with a plastic putty knife. Replace the sink flange if it is bent or damaged. Most often, all that needs to be done to get rid of the old, cracked plumber’s putty is to clean underneath the flange.
Apply plumber’s putty in step five.
To create a thin rope, roll a little ball of plumber’s putty in your palms. Place the rope of plumber’s putty on the sink drain flange’s underside. Reinstall the sink drain and firmly press it into place. From underneath the sink, secure the retaining nut to the drain.
Step 6: Reassemble after adding plumber’s tape
Any pipe threads should be taped using plumber’s tape. All of the pipes should be reconnected in the sequence they were unplugged. Use tongue-and-groove pliers to tighten all of the slip nuts.
Install new sink drainpipes.
First, stop the water supply.
Turn off the house’s water supply.
Remove the drain assembly in step two.
To disconnect the slip nut holding the sink trap to the wall drainpipe, use tongue-and-groove pliers. Directly beneath the sink, unplug the drainpipe from the sink drain. From the sink cabinet, remove the drain assembly. The sink trap and tail piece will be complete.
Purchase a new drain assembly in step three.
To the hardware store, bring the old assembly. To ensure you have the right diameter for your system, match the new sink trap and tail piece. Pick up three replacement slide nuts as well, don’t forget.
Add Plumber’s Tape in Step 4
All exposed pipe threads should be covered with plumber’s tape.
Connect and tighten the tail piece in Step 5.
With the threaded portion facing out, place a slip nut onto the new tail piece’s unthreaded end. With the tongue-and-groove pliers, tighten the slip nut after connecting the tail piece to the sink drain.
Secure the sink trap in step 6
On either end of the new sink trap, slide the final two slip nuts. Use the slip nut to fasten the sink trap by attaching it to the main drain line coming from the wall. The tail piece should be connected to the sink trap’s other end. Tighten the slip nut to attach the sink trap to the tail piece.
Reconnect Any Loose Connections
Tie down the sink drain flange in the first step.
Using a pipe wrench, crank the retaining nut under the sink 1/4 turn to tighten down the sink drain flange.
Tighten Pipe Connections in Step 2
Using tongue-and-groove pliers, tighten all of the connections connecting pipes underneath the sink.
Step 3: Unplug and repair any leaky sections.
Sections that leak even after being tightened should be disconnected. Apply new plumber’s tape after removing the old tape from the threads. Use tongue-and-groove pliers to reattach the drain lines.
