Question about drain pipes

pcary@bw.edu · Jan 22, 2009

Hi there - I'm trying to eliminate leaks under a reinstalled bathroom vanity. There's one slowly leaking joint, just inside the back wall of the vanity, where the PVC under the sink goes into black plastic that I assume is ABS. I have not taken this joint apart and I'm wondering whether it is likely a threaded joint or a glued one (or something else). It's the joint in the background of the attached photo. Should I try unscrewing the PVC pipe or is it more difficult than that?

Thanks,

Paul (homeowner)
pcary@bw.edu

Kingsotall · Jan 22, 2009

Try to screw it on a little tighter. Righty tighty, lefty loosey. Your hand should be sufficient enough to give it the necessary tightness it needs.

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SewerRatz · Jan 22, 2009

pcary@bw.edu said:
Hi there - I'm trying to eliminate leaks under a reinstalled bathroom vanity. There's one slowly leaking joint, just inside the back wall of the vanity, where the PVC under the sink goes into black plastic that I assume is ABS. I have not taken this joint apart and I'm wondering whether it is likely a threaded joint or a glued one (or something else). It's the joint in the background of the attached photo. Should I try unscrewing the PVC pipe or is it more difficult than that?

Thanks,

Paul (homeowner)
pcary@bw.edu

Sometimes people over tighten the plastic nuts and over crimp the plastic compression washer. When ever I get a call for leaks on sink drain pipes, I just take it all apart and replace each compression washer, and tighten each nut till they stop then a quarter turn. Also drain cleaners can ruin these plastic traps, they make so much heat that they get deformed just best to get a new P trap assembly and replace it.

Redwood · Jan 22, 2009

Why don't you take a picture from further back showing everything. Might have some good ideas for you on how to make this better.

pcary@bw.edu · Jan 23, 2009

Question about drain pipes: more photos

OK, thanks for the help. I'm attaching two more photos: one from further back that shows the whole drain system and another from the other side of the PVC to ABS joint. One other thing that doesn't work great is the "reducer" from the sink pipe to the next pipe down. The white pipe tends to slide off the black pipe (but only when I'm messing with it).

Thanks,

Paul

SewerRatz · Jan 23, 2009

Can you post a picture of the black pipe and how it is attaching to the wall. Looks like someone may have over thought this project.

GabeS · Jan 24, 2009

More turns than necessary. They took the scenic route.

I know you can't glue PVC to ABS. Not sure about threaded connections though.

Terry · Jan 24, 2009

All of those are slip joint fittings.
It's easy to disassemble and to reassemble.

Once you have it apart, you can check to see if the slip joint washers are in good shape. They should be round circles, not broken.

Redwood · Jan 24, 2009

I would have come straight out of the wall rather than use a 90 EL.

Question about drain pipes

pcary@bw.edu

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