watertight seal between faucet base and sink

just moved into a new place. And found out one bathroom faucet base is not watertight sealed. It already has some kind of white plastic gasket underneath the base plate. I think i have 3 options here.

1) try tightening the bolts underneathe the sink and see if it helps...
2) Take out the white plastic gasket. Use plumber's putty.
3) Take out the white plastic gasket. Caulk it.

Which method is preferred ? Any other suggestions ?
thanks

Try tightening it down from under the sink. If that doesn't work, you can apply a thin bead of clear silicone to the base. No need to remove the gasket.

I do not know whether manufacters expect that "white plastic gasket" to actually seal, but I do not. I usually put silicone under that plastic to seal it to the sink, and sometimes even on top of it.

i remember a foamy squishy white gasket.

I didn't even install it, since water that slipped past the top part (base plate) of the sink drain would into the space underneath it, where the overflow drains into. I didn't want to block that space by siliconing. Hope I've explained that clearly and identified the parts with sufficient

I am eager to know what plumbers say about this same white gasket. Why is it there?

The thread originator didn't mention any leak from underneath.
Is the problem just that the base plate doesn't feel tightly installed?



David

yes i do have water dripping down into the sink cabinet if i let water go pass the faucet base plate.

I have Moen brand. The gasket is not white foam. I think it's more a white/clear thick plastic.

if tighening does not work, i'll put some silicone !
thanks

I've been throwing away those darned black rubber gaskets that Delta has been using for fifty years or more and using plumbers putty and where necessary I use a clear caulk. I like Delta but here comes another gasket to toss.