P-trap slip joint still leaking

mkirsch1 · 2011-01-28T19:41:16+00:00

The slip joint where my PVC sink trap enters the copper drain stack isSTILL leaking.I've been to the plumbing supply, Mom&Pop's Hardware, Ace, Home Depot,and Lowes. NOBODY has heard of a "special" slip joint nut and washerfor a copper fitting.They keep sending me home with exactly what I already have. New trapparts, nuts and washers slow the leak to varying degrees, but neverstop it.The water is CLEARLY coming out between the washer and the PVC trappipe.Should I just slather some liquid pipe dope on the PVC, stuff it intothe copper, nut it up, and be done with it?If that doesn't work I'm going to wrap it with Mighty Fix-it tape andgive up.

Jan 28, 2011 23 Replies

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bob haller 15 years ago

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leaks like these are why i use bathtub silicone sealer on the joints, its cheap, easily removable in the future, and ends all leaks.

clean and dry all connections totally, let parts sit to dry or use a hairdryer or heat gun so no moisture remains!

Then butter up the pieces and assemble, let dry a hour or so and dont overtighten fittings which are really cheap junk quality to begin with, and can distort if over tightened.

end of leaks forever:)

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JIMMIE 15 years ago

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Ive had same problems with the hard plastic even on PVC to PVC, same fix.

Jimmie

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aemeijers 15 years ago

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When I had the same problem, I used a metal nut instead of the plastic one, along with the rubber washer instead of the plastic one, and it stopped leaking.

If I ever get rich enough to build a house, I'm gonna run the drains through the floor, instead of the wall. In my experience, that hard-90 right inside the wall is where the hairballs and soap gunk love to hold on for dear life. When the binary drain cleaners won't clear a slow or clogged bathroom drain, running a 12" bottle brush into the hole on wall, as far as it will reach around the corner, almost always clears things right up.

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bob haller 15 years ago

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the silicone caulk has never caused a problem, I just use enough to seal small openings not big gobs.

besides if you ever have a problem its very easily removable and doesnt weld the joints or anything like that.

A plumber did that here once after I was unable to seal a joint, I stole his idea:)

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