View Full Version : Trying to determine source of leak under bathroom sink
burghthing
Aug 7, 2010, 10:34 AM
I found some ponding water under my bathroom sink. Here is a pic of where I see the water dripping down from. Tough to see if it's orginating from the valve or higher up. I suspect higher up due to the deposits, but couldn't feel any water dripping down it when I tested. Thoughts on how I should tackle this? Obviously this is my first time doing something like this. :)
Thanks in advance!
http://i36.tinypic.com/2h58h2a.jpg
hkstroud
Aug 7, 2010, 11:02 AM
Probably leaking around pop up rod. Tighten nut around pop up rod.
creahands
Aug 7, 2010, 11:06 AM
It appears that leak is at or above white nut.
Tighten nut. Do not over tighten as nut will break. Wrap some toilet paper around pipe at elbow. If it gets wet, leak is above.
If paper stays dry, leak is at valve. Tighten the nut behind the handle. Use 2 wrenches so as not to put torque on pipe.
Let us know if this helps.
Chuck
burghthing
Aug 7, 2010, 11:18 AM
HRStroud - Thanks. I tightened the nut around the pop-up rod. But it's still leaking. But that helped me realize it was leaking from the white nut.
crehands - Thanks. I tried to tighten the white nut but it's already tight as can be; both of them up there. I can tell water is dripping from at or above the white nut. I'm thinkign I need to turn off the water lines at the values and take off the faucet.
speedball1
Aug 7, 2010, 12:57 PM
What's leaking is the supply at the faucet connection. Shut the water off at the angle stop and unscrew the white nut. Now unscrew the metal nut on the angle stop that's securing the supply tube and remove the tube.
There should be a rubber cone washer, (see image) on the end with a brass friction washer under it. Take the cone washer in to a plumbing store and purchase a new one. Reinstall everything and turn the water back on. You leak should be gone. Good luck, Tom
burghthing
Aug 7, 2010, 02:30 PM
What's leaking is the supply at the faucet connection. Shut the water off at the angle stop and unscrew the white nut. Now unscrew the metal nut on the angle stop that's securing the supply tube and remove the tube.
There should be a rubber cone washer, (see image) on the end with a brass friction washer under it. Take the cone washer in to a plumbing store and purchase a new one. Reinstall everything and turn the water back on. You leak should be gone. good luck, Tom
speedball1 - I took off the supply tube but the end where the white washer is doesn't seem to be exactly what you show. Still, I went to the hardware store and got a flexible supply line and tried to install it. Threading on the white nut was just slightly too big. I'll get another size and let you know if that fixes it all. Thanks for your help.
BTW, the one I'm replacing is on the left (see the cracked white nut - think that's my issue). The flexible tubing on the right is the one I was attempting to replace it with.
http://i37.tinypic.com/vnia8k.jpg
speedball1
Aug 7, 2010, 04:10 PM
The one on the left hgas a nose cone. It's just your's is just metal and not rubber. Will the replacement have the same end as the old one? Let me know how you make out.
Cheersa, Tom
hkstroud
Aug 7, 2010, 05:27 PM
There are toilet supply tubes and faucet supply tubes. You must have gotten a toilet supply.
creahands
Aug 7, 2010, 08:46 PM
Harold nailed it. The supply on the right is for a toilet. Need one for a faucet.
Chuck
burghthing
Aug 9, 2010, 05:11 PM
There are toilet supply tubes and faucet supply tubes. You must have gotten a toilet supply.
Yep, that was the issue. I also learned the hard way that even the faucet flex tubing comes in different sizes. Once I got the right one I have no more leaking.
Thanks for all your help, guys!