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    itguy12's Avatar
    itguy12 Posts: 7, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Apr 26, 2008, 02:39 PM
    Leak under bathroom vanity.
    All,

    On a 1-10 scale, I am about a 1 at most as far as plumbing knowledge goes. So here goes.

    I have a one vanity setup in my bathroom, and it is leaking. The leak is happening where the metal drain that is directly attached to the sink, attaches to a curve "U" shaped PVC pipe. I have a few pictures of this setup at this address, http://www.flickr.com/gp/22479719@N02/f6btp7.

    Please help, or if you need more info please ask. This started happening after I repaired my drain stopper by the way and I removed this "U" shaped pipe, which after I was done actually didn't even need to be removed. DOH!
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
     
    #2

    Apr 26, 2008, 03:15 PM
    OK, You have a leak between the metal tail piece and the Compression nut on the PVC "J" bend of the trap. Several things come to mind. Did you replace the Nylon compression gasket? Check the size of the gasket. You have a 1 1/2" trap. Two gaskets came with that trap. Both fit but one has a smaller 1 1/4" opening. The smaller 1 1/4" gasket's the one you want. If you installed the wrong gasket then you would have a leak. Also, it's easy to cross thread PVC threads. Make sure the nut is started correctly. Good luck and let me know how you made out.
    Tom
    itguy12's Avatar
    itguy12 Posts: 7, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Apr 27, 2008, 07:02 AM
    I'll check that today if I get a chance. If it is alrady 1 1/4'', maybe it is faulty.
    itguy12's Avatar
    itguy12 Posts: 7, Reputation: 1
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    #4

    Apr 28, 2008, 05:54 PM
    OK. I bought a new 1 1/4" and 1 1/2"(just to be safe) washer, but still have the same issue. I also bought a new 1 1/2" nut as well, but no luck there either. Any ideas? It is still leaking at the same place. Is there a certain way the washer goes in? I've tried both ways.
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
     
    #5

    Apr 29, 2008, 04:13 AM
    Hey itguy:

    I just wanted to clarify things a bit...

    You need an 1.5" x 1.25" washer... not an 1.25" washer, not an 1.5" washer... but an 1.5" x 1.25" washer. It is a reducing washer made for your situation... can be nylon, polyethylene or rubber. Also need an 1.5" x 1.25" reducing nut.

    Slide reducing nut on tailpiece, then slide 1.5" x 1.25" slip joint washer onto tailpiece, add some pipe dope, then slide down onto trap and tighten nut.

    That should do it for you... and like Tom said, watch the threads.

    Let us know how it goes... Mark
    itguy12's Avatar
    itguy12 Posts: 7, Reputation: 1
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    #6

    Apr 30, 2008, 04:13 PM
    This is what I bought @ Home Depot:

    -1 1/4"x1 1/2" washer for plastic tubular
    -1 1/2" plastic slip joint nut and washer(this nut came with what looks to be the exact same washer as listed above, and also a slight larger and thinner washer but I can't tell what size at this point but it is too big)

    Either way I still can't get this to work, but I also don't have "pipe dope". What is this?

    I have posted more pics on the website listed in my original post if you want to see.
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
     
    #7

    Apr 30, 2008, 05:29 PM
    You know... I swear I have had trouble with that exact unit you have... ;)

    I remember I had to get an 1.5" x 1.25" FIBER WASHER (or rubber) and an 1.5" x 1.25" plastic or rough brass or chrome metal nut.

    I can't remember why (I think you said it... plastic tubular washer)... but that 1.5" x 1.25" washer you have just did not seal right... bubbles formed.. water rose to fill the area between washer and nut and finally overflowed... what a nuisance!

    Last trip to home depot... *crossing fingers*... get the fiber washer and reducing nut as recommended (plastic preferred, but metal OK, too).. that should fix this mess up once and for all!

    Pipe dope is a thread sealer.. or sometimes used to lubricate plastic on plastic joint... just don't overtighten nut!

    Sorry this isn't easier... usually is. Let me know what you think... Mark

    .
    itguy12's Avatar
    itguy12 Posts: 7, Reputation: 1
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    #8

    May 2, 2008, 07:51 AM
    Case solved!

    However, it was a mistake on my part. The leak was actually coming from the darn stopper that I replaced last week, and was dripping down to the slip joint so I thought it was there. Sorry for the confusion, but I just tightented up the nut for the stopper and all is well.

    At least I know more now about plumbing! Lol

    Thanks!

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