The plughole in my bathroom basin is leaking. The leak is between the plughole and the basin (i.e. through the circular hole in the basin in which the metal plughole is fitted), and it seems to me as if it needs sealing with some silicon kitchen/bathroom sealant. In order to seal it I need to remove, or at least loosen, the plughole fitting, but I can't see how, having removed the u-bend, detached and removed the plug actuator and the plug. I'm sure this is a pretty standard problem – could somebody please explain what I need to do?
Plumbing – How to seal a leaking plughole fitting
bathroomleakplumbingsealingsink
Related Solutions
Go to your local hardware store and purchase a strap wrench:
The rubber strap wraps around and grips the cover. Then you rotate the wrench anticlockwise to unscrew the cover off the tap. The strap prevents scratching of the finish which would normally occur trying to unscrew the tap with the jaws of a regular wrench. There are also regular-style wrenches with soft jaw fittings that may also be used.
If there is moisture still there, then mold and mildew will return. If the problem was not fixed, then it will return. Bathrooms are particularly bad in this respect, since moisture is a natural consequence of using water. I would expect to need to redo things like caulking every few years to fix this. It will not last forever.
Scrape/pull off the old silicon.
Apply a solution of bleach to kill the mold. Be careful when you apply it, as bleach can damage the clothes you are wearing. Keep the area ventilated well.
Let it dry. If you are in a hurry, a fan blowing on the area will help. A hair dryer can also speed that process considerably.
Apply new caulk in a smooth bead. I use my finger to spread it along the joint. Definitely use a high quality silicon caulk with a mold/mildew inhibitor. These are caulks that are designated for use in bathrooms.
Allow it to fully dry before you get it wet again. Give it a day or so. It will skin over in an hour or so, but make sure it has properly cured before use of the shower.
Expect to redo this process in some number of years. The exact time it will last depends on how well the area is ventilated.
Of course, there may be mold in the wall itself. This is difficult to deal with unless you tear the wall down to replace it completely, and even then water tends to attract the stuff. Mold spores are everywhere.
Related Topic
- Plumbing – Water seeping through where pipe exits slab foundation
- Plumbing – Repairing a break in threaded water pipe joint buried in wall
- Plumbing – What to use to Seal gap between Pipe and Exterior wall
- Plumbing – New basin waste leaks, only when plug is removed
- Basement – How to fix leaks in concrete and steel bulkhead
- Walls – What material should I use to seal door moldings, small holes between walls and floors to prevent roaches
- Water – Suggestion for fixing leaky exterior door handle
Best Answer
This basin trim piece you are referring to is usually connected to the tail piece flange with a very fine thread. If has been in place for a long time, they can be difficult to remove. You will need to insert something like needle nose pliers in the top and hold the tail piece from the bottom and unscrew it. Clean out all the old plumbers putty and replace it by making a "rope" of plumbers putty in your hand, place it around the top edge of the hole in the basin, then reinstall the trim piece into the tail piece section. Tighten it so it pushes out all the excess putty, and is tight. Clean up the excess, return it to your can. Job done.