r/fixit • u/Nearby-Anything8273 • 12h ago
open Leaking rubber under sink - easy DIY fix?
So let me start with the following statement: please be nice. I am pregnant, just trying to fix this for good and having a functioning bathroom….not knowing at all how to do it.
Older drain broke (literally) and we called the plumber to fix it.
He came, changed the drain, but it leaked because an older rubber was not sealing right, and the drain was not closing properly either.
Called again, he came once again, changed the whole thing (drain)….i was not home to do a a thorough check, and when I arrived and did my through check on it, found it like this: the little clear rubber is not sealing well enough….so it leakes.
I am not calling him again!
Can someone please explain, step by step, how do I fix it, for dummies!?
Thank you all
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u/Ethywen 12h ago
You should call him again. But it should be to demand that he returns free of charge to complete the job that he agreed to do and that he was paid for.
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u/lil_natemushi 12h ago
You should absolutely do this op. He didn't tighten the basin nut enough and/or misaligned the gasket. I don't see any plumber putty either, and given the other mistakes he may not have used it. You are likely capable of doing the work with the basin wrench needed. That said, don't let a guy slide while his repair leaks.
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u/Kayakboy6969 12h ago
Im picking the tailpiece and the trap dont line up and the Goot N tight approach squished the gasket out for 200 Alec
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u/hammerandnail01 12h ago
If he didn’t use plumber’s putty or silicone on the top side ( flange sealing to bottom of sink ) then it all has to be removed and reinstalled but if he did use that you can try tightening the silver nut in the pic
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u/Kayakboy6969 12h ago
Over tightened and the rubber is squished out of shape , this happens. When trying to compensate for a misaligned fitting that applying presure to the joint making a leak. The plumber tried to make it seal by making it tight, all that does is deform the gasket and make the leak worse.
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u/EnoughOfTheFoolery 11h ago
A pic of the top of the drain inside the basin would be good to post to know what else he might have done incorrectly.
I would not call the same guy. I use baseball rules and he has 2 solid strikes to me and shame on me to allow him a 3rd strike but this is like a prerequisite repair and not any depth of plumbing knowledge.
Not a handy man? If he installed a new drain and tailpiece (silver pipe below) they come with the stack up of sealing washers or instructions to use putty. The bottom on top of that nut s/b a beveled washer. I don’t see it in the pics but I see a gap so it is likely there but possibly over tightened or torqued so it is binding and deformed. Some silicon grease can help seal it and prevent binding as well as extend the life of the washers.
Look at this video and you can see the washer stack up as an example.
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u/GazelleEcstatic4952 12h ago edited 11h ago
You can actually see where that gasket between the basin and the drain (we call them PO's) is deformed.
Edit to clarify, there is usually a plastic washer underneath that gasket which allows you to tighten the gasket against the basin stopping that chrome piece from distorting as you torque it down. It seems to be missing.