Plumbing Question

[Donovan W]

Kitchen sink drain began leaking from the coupler that connects sink line to p-trap. Thought that simply tightening the coupler back up would do it. No such luck. Removed p-trap, checked all seals, reinstalled and now I cannot get the coupler to secure p-trap back to sink drain line without p-trap easily sliding right back off.

I've attached visual aids. Do I have the order of seals correct? Should the tapered end of the seal (at top in pic) be pointing down into coupler or up toward sink bowl?

[TacomaJoe]

The tapered seal should point down into the bevel of the trap. When the nut is tightened it will push the seal down and the bevel of the trap will push it in to close around the sink pipe.

[cmulvey]

Originally Posted by TacomaJoe

The tapered seal should point down into the bevel of the trap. When the nut is tightened it will push the seal down and the bevel of the trap will push it in to close around the sink pipe.

X2

[Donovan W]

Originally Posted by TacomaJoe

The tapered seal should point down into the bevel of the trap. When the nut is tightened it will push the seal down and the bevel of the trap will push it in to close around the sink pipe.

So I've got tapered end down into trap, flat washer on top of tapered one, and coupler on top of that. When I tighten up coupler, however, it does nothing to hold trap tight against straight length from sink bowl The slightest downward pressure on the trap will separate the two sections. Do I have something out of order?

[Aussieguy]

put the seals and the NUT on the pipe first...
push everything UP higher than normal (out of the way)

then put the rest of the P trap in place


Loosen the other side if things don't quite line up...
get everything in place so they all line up nicely.

start hand tightening on the drain side of the P
then push the seals and NUT down onto the P and tighten

Usually only need to hand tighten to seal (use towel/gloves for better grip)

but if you must use any wrench etc only NIP it together only a tiny little bit

[Aussieguy]

Originally Posted by Donovan W

So I've got tapered end down into trap, flat washer on top of tapered one, and coupler on top of that. When I tighten up coupler, however, it does nothing to hold trap tight against straight length from sink bowl The slightest downward pressure on the trap will separate the two sections. Do I have something out of order?

Flat washer .... are you sure it is suppose to go there....
Is there one on the shorter curved end?

Make sure the part of the P trap that connects to sink goes about 3/4 - 1" over the sink tube


If it doesn't loosen ALL the fittings and slide things around so it fits better

You can purchase longer tubes OR extensions if it needs one

[Donovan W]

Originally Posted by Aussieguy

put the seals and the NUT on the pipe first...
push everything UP higher than normal (out of the way)

then put the rest of the P trap in place

SUCCESS!!! Getting everything in place on the long drain stem was the key. Flat washer needed a little coaxing to get around the pipe but it went. NO MO DRIP!

Thanks so much.