What order do all these washers/threads/nuts go in?

mcampster · 20 Jun 2019

I've attached a photo of my slotted waste. I just want to check I've got the order, and orientation correct:

The basin itself would be between the black plastic 'washer?' and the soft, conical rubber seal.

Is this what you would expect? The problem is, I am getting a leak from the overflow. It doesn't surprise me as when you look through the overflow pipe into the slotted waste, half the water is going to go down the outside of the threads. Hence why I'm checking to see if I've got the washers, seals and nuts in the right order.

I've read lots of people suggesting a Basin Mate, but looking at what my basin and waste came with it is very similar so though perhaps this was a case of a bad workman and not his tools!

Harry Bloomfield · 20 Jun 2019

I tried several times to get a seal fitting something similar and water escaped down the threads. I ended fixing it with Plumbers mait, it worked with the first attempt and is still fine.

I think the cone shape below the fitting in your photo, should be the seal under the cone shape of the fitting at the top.

mcampster · 20 Jun 2019

Harry Bloomfield said:
I tried several times to get a seal fitting something similar and water escaped down the threads. I ended fixing it with Plumbers mait, it worked with the first attempt and is still fine.

I think the cone shape below the fitting in your photo, should be the seal under the cone shape of the fitting at the top.

So you just put plumbers mate around the thread before tightening the nut?

ianmcd · 20 Jun 2019

no not the threads it goes on the faces of the plastic washers

Harry Bloomfield · 20 Jun 2019

ianmcd said:
no not the threads it goes on the faces of the plastic washers

It would still leak down the threads. I blathered it on plastic washer faces and down the threads, on the porcelain - doesn't really matter if you put too much on, the surplus will squeeze out and can be removed. I had tried other sealants without success, they had just lifted off the surfaces.

bernardgreen · 20 Jun 2019

Harry Bloomfield said:
It would still leak down the threads.

If the plastic nut is done up tightly then it's threads will seal to the threads on the metal.

Very often what appear to be a leak via the thread is in reality a leak between the under side of the basin and the washer that is pressed against it.

The washer is too small and/or too inflexible to make a good seal to the often un-even underside of the basin. My solution is to make a larger, thicker and softer washer from sheet rubber

Bosswhite · 20 Jun 2019

Cone shaped washer is upside down and in the wrong place .

Harry Bloomfield · 20 Jun 2019

bernardgreen said:
If the plastic nut is done up tightly then it's threads will seal to the threads on the metal.

Possibly, but not in the case of the two I did here. With nothing actually on the threads to seal them, water can be expected to wick down it and past the nut, unless the nut is a tight on the threads before it is actually tightened up against the basin.

Madrab · 20 Jun 2019

Take it all apart again.

From the top - the thin rubber washer goes onto the metal waste first, it provides the top basin seal, then drop the waste into the basin.

Underneath is the rubber cone washer on first turned the other way up as it is in the pic then the thin white compression washer then the nut. When the waste and washer are in, turn the basin upside down and fit the cone washer, thin washer and nut onto the waste just a little and then pull the waste up tight. Fill the gap between the body of the waste and the sides of the basin , not too much so it doesn't impeded the overflow slot. Tighten it all up, remembering to keep the slot in line with the overflow and nip it all up with a pair of water pump pliers. Doesn't need to be super tight.

Madrab · 20 Jun 2019

No plastic to metal should ever have to be fitted tightly, it just isn't sturdy enough, all the water seals in the waste arrangement are performed by the soft rubber washers. The threads are too coarse and loose fitting to provide a reliable watertight seal IME.

The rubber cone is designed to be pressed into the gap between the body of the threaded metal waste and the basin itself by the nut and washer to provide the seal but invariably it needs a little help with some silicone or mait.

mcampster · 21 Jun 2019

OK, I went away and redid it with a bit of plumbers mate and it seems to be OK. I actually had another leak at the actually overflow itself where the basin meats the overflow pipe. It seems to be OK now, but I'm intrigued to see if I can make it work with some of the other suggestions here so might tinker

The current, working setup:

Out of view there is a cone shaped washer sitting inside the basin, with another one directly below. Then its the rigid plastic of the overflow pipe, which has a black, semi soft plastic washer beneath it covered in plumbers mate, since that's where I could see the drips appearing. Then finally the nut. Its not leaking, so am I crazy taking it apart? Or do you think this is OK?

mcampster · 21 Jun 2019

Bosswhite said:
Cone shaped washer is upside down and in the wrong place .

There are actually 2 cone shaped seals supplied. I now have, rightly or wrongly, 1 above and 1 below the porcelain of the sink.

Harry Bloomfield · 21 Jun 2019

mcampster said:
Then finally the nut. Its not leaking, so am I crazy taking it apart? Or do you think this is OK?

If it doesn't leak now, then likely it will never leak. They ought to supply a diagram or instructions as to what belongs where, but you obviously didn't get any and nor did I for the two I fitted here.

diynot

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.

Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

What order do all these washers/threads/nuts go in?

Similar threads