P trap connection on bath dripping slightly

[DaveHhh1]

Hi all,

I have moved into a place and I have had a couple of leaks on the bath that have been fixed. First the water pipe was continuously leaking and apparently had been for some time. That was fixed. The overflow from the bath to the pipe was dislodged and that was made good.

All good. I do have a final leak though and it's minor but has to be remedied. I am attaching two pics with the second showing where the drip has accumulated and from where I can feel a bit of water so I assume it's here. When emptying the bath there is no increase in drip so I am assuming it's the connection.

What are my steps to try before calling out a plumber? Shall I try and hand tighten it - I can't tell which way would tighten? There's not much room but I can reach if this does not work my whole bath may have to come out. This is me looking down from the side of the bath, the taps have annoying been fit in the centre . I can pull off the front cover but don't think I can get to the p trap.

Many thanks all I know it looks old in there but I'd rather not pay to rip it all out if possible.

 

[Wayners]

Looking at the highest point of the crud it's your bath waste and plug hole fitting not sealing.

Remove and buy a new one to match. Not a difficult job.
Don't over tighten. It's plastic as there is no water pressure. Hand tight then less than ¼ turn to tighten

 

[DaveHhh1]

Ah I see what you mean the crud. When you say buy a new one is that a bath waste?

I think the whole bath will have to come out to do now sadly.

 

[blup]

Tighten the plastic nut, just hand tight, but even a small turn can make a difference.

 

[DaveHhh1]

The p trap one? It's quite stiff which way?

 

[simplesteve]

Righty tighty, lefty loosey

 

[Madrab]

+1 re the bath waste - quite obvious water marks running from the top of the black plastic downwards. Is there a screw/nut in the inside of the bath waste, see if that can be nipped up.

Put an oven tray or similar under that in the meantime.

 

[DaveHhh1]

+1 re the bath waste - quite obvious water marks running from the top of the black plastic downwards. Is there a screw/nut in the inside of the bath waste, see if that can be nipped up.

Put an oven tray or similar under that in the meantime.

Thanks.

Here is the bath pic of the plug hole... Should I have a tighten?

 

[Madrab]

You could do, see if it has loosened off and if it'll tighten up any. Be careful though not to overtighten as it may be a plastic thread inside the black plastic and you don't want to strip that out.

If it was me, I'd undo the shallow trap below then loosen that screw and the waste below will drop down. Take the seal out and clean all around the bath where the seal sits on, the bit of the black plastic that it sits on and the seal itself, then put it all back together with the smallest smear of silicone on both side of the seal and test. Would need to be careful about the seal in the shallow trap though, if the trap has been overtightened then that seal may be damaged and it can't be re-used.

 

[DaveHhh1]

You could do, see if it has loosened off and if it'll tighten up any. Be careful though not to overtighten as it may be a plastic thread inside the black plastic and you don't want to strip that out.

If it was me, I'd undo the shallow trap below then loosen that screw and the waste below will drop down. Take the seal out and clean all around the bath where the seal sits on, the bit of the black plastic that it sits on and the seal itself, then put it all back together with the smallest smear of silicone on both side of the seal and test. Would need to be careful about the seal in the shallow trap though, if the trap has been overtightened then that seal may be damaged and it can't be re-used.

Thanks for this. It's quite hard to get under the bath I may have to get a plumber in to move out the bath which is frustrating as the previous leaks were fixed without moving out the bath.

 

[Scally-Ho]

If that P trap's top sealing washer was become distorted/damaged, a new ring can be purchased form your nearest Toolstation.

Trap Inlet Washer

www.toolstation.com

 

[Madrab]

From looking at the pics, and in most cases, the waste on a bath can usually be removed/replaced without having to move the bath.

 

[Scally-Ho]

From looking at the pics, and in most cases, the waste on a bath can usually be removed/replaced without having to move the bath.

Yes it most probably can, but the process will be easier with two people; one up top and t'other underneath

 

[DaveHhh1]

This was interesting I put a screwdriver on top on the plug in the bath and it will turn but it won't tighten so I stopped. May be worn away.

 

[Scally-Ho]

This was interesting I put a screwdriver on top on the plug in the bath and it will turn but it won't tighten so I stopped. May be worn away.

That could explain the drip. Overtightened by the installer and then it had a slight weep ever since. I never did like those screw-through waste fittings.