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    tgashby's Avatar
    tgashby Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Mar 20, 2012, 04:31 PM
    Leak about the p-trap
    I have a "makeshift" sink that my washer drains into. It's a sink sitting on a metal stand.

    There is a plastic pipe (pvc?) that runs from the sink to the p trap and it looks like there is a leak between the plastic pipe and the p trap, which is metal.

    This sink has been there since before I moved in about 9 years ago and is pretty old. I'm concerned that once it gets taken apart other leaks might start and the whole thing may need to be replaced.

    Is there anything I can do, like seal the leak area with some sort of tape or caulk or something without have to take anything apart? I'm hoping there's some solution that would work for a year or so or that could be re-applied if the leak came back.

    Or is that a bad idea and should I just have a plumber look at the problem?

    FYI, I'm not a handyman or even close.

    Thanks.
    mygirlsdad77's Avatar
    mygirlsdad77 Posts: 5,713, Reputation: 339
    Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #2

    Mar 20, 2012, 04:50 PM
    I wouldn't suggest any temporary fixes here. If you don't feel comfortable removing the leaky portion (post some pics of the leak, and we may be able to make it easy for you) I would suggest calling in a plumber. If you can post some pics, we should be able to make you into a diy''er.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #3

    Mar 21, 2012, 09:05 AM
    there is a leak between the plastic pipe and the p trap, which is metal.
    This would be a PVC compression fitting. Did you try snuggling up the compression nut? Could it be cross threaded? Back to you, Tom
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
    		  
    #4

    Mar 21, 2012, 10:14 AM
    Good answers and Tom is right about tightening up the coupling nuts to start. When in doubt I frequently scrap the old trap and drain tube and go all new, not exxpensive at all. I have open old traps and found missing plastic washers.MGD suggests a plumber , my gues he suspects your plumbing skills are not strong, did he guess right? Replaceing a trap is not a tough job for most of us but a first time DIY might have a few slip ups along the install, you tell us.
    mygirlsdad77's Avatar
    mygirlsdad77 Posts: 5,713, Reputation: 339
    Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #5

    Mar 21, 2012, 03:22 PM
    Yep, they said they were not a handy man, or even close. But I agree, this should be easy enough for them to take on, with a little help from AMHD of course.
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