Re-Plumbing my Sink

[Mycon]

I've gotten quite tired of shaving in the bathtub. Since I started, the shaves themselves have not been very good. The problem is, I can't afford a plumber to fix the sink. I am thinking about attempting to do it myself. What do you gents think? The areas that leak are as follows:

 

[C Reed]

If its a little leakey I don't see how trying to make all the conecters tight could hurt. Also they have this spray foam stuff that you can spray on pipes to stop leaks look into that.

 

[Walter Sobchak]

It's not a difficult job at all. Looks like you have a decent amount of space to work in under there. You can go to one of the big home stores and tell them what you're doing. I'd go with plastic. Think about getting a new drain for the sink and don't forget to pick up a small tub of plumber's dope (putty).

You should be able to replicate what you have under there currently with plastic components. They're a peice of cake, and they're cheap.

http://plumbing.hardwarestore.com/51-284-drain-plastics-traps.aspx

 

[OldSaw]

As long as you don't over tighten and make things worse. You could also replace the entire drain to the point just past the trap. The replacement parts can be bought at any home store for probably less than $20. So if tightening makes it worse, you know what to do next.

 

[Mycon]

Tightening did make it worse. We initially found the leak to be behind the top joint where the drain valve articulated and the first main joint. After replacing the part in the first issue and attempting to tighten the other, all 4 of the circled leaks began and just got worse.
The only part that I think will be hard is replacing the seal right on the bottom of the sink itself (circle 1.) What exactly is the process there?

 

[Mycon]

It's not a difficult job at all. Looks like you have a decent amount of space to work in under there. You can go to one of the big home stores and tell them what you're doing. I'd go with plastic. Think about getting a new drain for the sink and don't forget to pick up a small tub of plumber's dope (putty).

You should be able to replicate what you have under there currently with plastic components. They're a peice of cake, and they're cheap.

http://plumbing.hardwarestore.com/51-284-drain-plastics-traps.aspx

Looks like I had my answer already had I simply paid attention..

 

[Walter Sobchak]

Looks like I had my answer already had I simply paid attention..

 

[82R100]

Easiest would be to remove the assembly (stuff a rag in the pipe going into the wall) and take it to your local Home Depot or Lowes and someone there can walk you through the plastic parts that will replace it. As it is, your installation's a little unorthodox.

- Chris

 

[Mojo88]

If the plastic proves to be too difficult or costly, you can use plumbers epoxy putty that is sold in Home Depot. it is a 2 component epoxy putty that you can apply in about 3 minutes. You just cut off as much as you need, mix it together in a bead and apply it to the area. With the age of your plumbing, moving it around will probably cause it to leak even more, this is one fix where you don't have to remove the existing plumbing. As a do-it -yourself project the putty is the easier fix. Note : This is plumbers EPOXY putty not traditional Plumbers putty.

 

[Johnny Dale]

Be careful during your disassembly. The pipes may be brittle due to age. Good luck!

Did I mention I hate plumbing? Sometimes simple tasks turn into big tasks with many trips to the hardware store.

 

[Alacrity59]

I'm not certain how far you've gotten but what I would try first would be to disassemble and use Teflon tape around all the threads and reassemble.

 

[Aaron W.]

to seal the down pipe from the bowl use plumbers putty. Clean the surfaces make sure they r dry. Roll the putty in your hand and make a snake maybe a quarter inch around and long enough to go all the way around where the pipe makes contact with the bowl. Too much here is ok you can clean up what squeezes out. I would then start at the wall and work my way to the pipe. If your using plastic you can use teflon tape on the threads to help seal any pipe connections but there should be plastic gaskets with the pipe u buy to go from trap to the wall. Then you can use rubber hoses for the hot and cold lines. Good luck I hope I didn't confuse you any and I read about your problem correctly. fyi I like the pink teflon tape its a little thicker than the white. When you wrap you connections start at the end of the threads and work toward the pipe like your threading it on.

 

[Snappy Lunch]

I would try to reseal with teflon tape or plumbers putty first. If that does not work, replace with all new pipe. Lowes or home depot will help getting the right pcs. This is a very simple fix. I have never seen a 2pc. tailpiece before. From the 2nd circle to the 4th circle should be 1 straight pipe.
The good thing you have going for you is room to work, I have seen much tighter quarters.

 

[coolbluewater]

I'm not certain how far you've gotten but what I would try first would be to disassemble and use Teflon tape around all the threads and reassemble.

+1.
Whichever route you take, teflon tape is a great thing for plumbing and allows you to un-do any mistakes easily. Also great for when you want to swap out showerheads.

 

[Mr. O]

Going to a hardware store with parts is a good idea. It gives the person helping you an idea of what you are dealing with. Also, it might be hoky but if you're comfortable with it, take a note pad to Home Depot if you go there and find their book section. I bought a book there called Black and Decker guide to Home Plumbing. Use your notepad to scribble notes out of the book any pertinent information you need for your situation. Definitely ask the associates there; most seem very knowledgeable in their fields of expertise. Or head down to your local library. I'm sure they might have a book on home plumbing. Couple sites that might help you out:

http://www.diynetwork.com/

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/

http://www.ehow.com/how_4751257_fix-plumbing-problems.html

 

[Mycon]

Heh, well the first attempt is a failure. In an attempt to get the unbelievably stubborn rubber gasket on the drain connection to seal, I overtightened it and now it leaks underneath the threads. I also cut one of the lower pipes just short enough to tighten nicely but leak profusely. It's a good thing these PVC components are dirt cheap

Well I know what I am doing now, and the hardest part does not have to be repeated. Those old pipes were so corroded that we had to take a hack saw to the spot where the drain joined the first pipe section.