Should I fix it myself or call a professional?

[Garden Gnome]

Hi everyone.

Here’s the situation: it’s been leaking from this spot for a while—see the photos. It mainly leaks when I use the sink heavily; if I don’t use it much, it seems like nothing’s leaking. I couldn’t figure out where it was coming from for a long time.


So my question is: can I fix this myself? Specifically:

1. Do I just need to unscrew the gray piece and replace the black rubber gasket, or do I need to replace the entire gray assembly along with the gasket?
2. What steps are involved, and how realistic is it to do this myself without calling in a professional?

 

[Koolpc]

Very easy job. Look on youtube as lots on there showing step by step....

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Looking at it from above (sink), you should be able to see a hollow screw. undo the screw, and it will release the section below. Get a tub of Plumbers Mait, form lumps of it, into long, thin sausages, and apply it to both sides of the rubber gasket, then reassemble, slowly squeezing out the Mait. The Mait is horribly sticky stuff, but it's none setting. Just scrap off the surplus.

 

[Garden Gnome]

Very easy job. Look on youtube as lots on there showing step by step....

What'd you recommend to type in a search box? I don't know the name of the details.

 

[accelerator]

"fix leaking kitchen sink waste"

also known as sink drain or sink strainer.

 

[Garden Gnome]

Looking at it from above (sink), you should be able to see a hollow screw. undo the screw, and it will release the section below. Get a tub of Plumbers Mait, form lumps of it, into long, thin sausages, and apply it to both sides of the rubber gasket, then reassemble, slowly squeezing out the Mait. The Mait is horribly sticky stuff, but it's none setting. Just scrap off the surplus.

Oh, thank you for the advice. As far as I can understand before applying the Plumbers Mait the surface of the gasket needs to be wiped off until dry? Or should I leave it wet?

Evo-Stik Plumber's Mait 750g is the first one I found googling. Is it ok?

What about regular silicone? I have a couple of tubs. But i presume it is setting, that's why I mustn't use it.

Is on the pics the hollow screw that you were talking about, or is it something unusual? Do i need a specific tool to unscrew it?

 

[Garden Gnome]

And I wonder, do I need to dismantle all the white pipes below the grey thing to be able to apply plumbers Mait to the both sides of the gasket?

 

[Garden Gnome]

"fix leaking kitchen sink waste"

also known as sink drain or sink strainer.

most of the videos are american.
one of the short videos suggested to silicone the lower edge of the metal thing which is on the surface of the sink. I know that we need to use an non-setting stuff? but is it a good idea to just apply it to the metal thing without playing around with the grey plastic thing below the sink?

 

[accelerator]

You can use silicon ... if you want ... see

 

[foxhole]

Most likely the screw thats securing the centre of waste has worked loose and just needs a tighten.
If you can get a turn or more on it that’s the solution .
When loose may only leak when hot water is expanding the sink causing leak .

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Oh, thank you for the advice. As far as I can understand before applying the Plumbers Mait the surface of the gasket needs to be wiped off until dry? Or should I leave it wet?

Get it clean and dry first.

Evo-Stik Plumber's Mait 750g is the first one I found googling. Is it ok?

Yep!

What about regular silicone? I have a couple of tubs. But i presume it is setting, that's why I mustn't use it.

No, that will not stay stuck for long.

Is on the pics the hollow screw that you were talking about, or is it something unusual? Do i need a specific tool to unscrew it?

Yes, use a straight screwdiver, wide enough to catch both sides of the slot.

And I wonder, do I need to dismantle all the white pipes below the grey thing to be able to apply plumbers Mait to the both sides of the gasket?

No - you will need to undo the fitting, at the bottom of the grey 'funnel' shape, that is all.

 

[Elkato531]

Yes, use a straight screwdiver, wide enough to catch both sides of the slot.

A 2p coin usually works well as a tool for the central screw

 

[Garden Gnome]

You can use silicon ... if you want ... see

Wow, the video is fun and helpful!

 

[Garden Gnome]

Most likely the screw thats securing the centre of waste has worked loose and just needs a tighten.
If you can get a turn or more on it that’s the solution .
When loose may only leak when hot water is expanding the sink causing leak .

Great advice. I really want it to be the case. But i'll be able to try it when all the dishes are out of there. And it's not straight away, as my wife is busy at the moment ))

 

[Garden Gnome]

Get it clean and dry first.

Yep!

No, that will not stay stuck for long.


Yes, use a straight screwdiver, wide enough to catch both sides of the slot.



No - you will need to undo the fitting, at the bottom of the grey 'funnel' shape, that is all.

Thank you for the detailed clarification! I'll leave this mission till the next weekend. And in the meanwhile i'll search for metal handles for Vaillant on Ebay instead of old white ones.