A bad seal on your kitchen sink strainer can cause leaks that can lead to both mildew and water damage. To avoid any problems, fix any leaks coming from your kitchen sink as soon as you notice them. This is a simple job that can be completed by a careful homeowner with a few common tools.
To fix the seal on your leaky kitchen sink strainer, you must begin by removing the tailpiece. This is the piece of pipe that is attached to the bottom of the kitchen sink strainer. The fittings that attach the tailpiece to the kitchen sink will vary, but are usually variation on a large nut and washer. With the tailpiece removed, you should use a wrench to remove the lock nut that keeps the sink strainer in place. Sometimes this can be difficult; the whole fixture will rotate along with the lock nut. To prevent this, a screwdriver placed in the top of the sink strainer held by an assistant can stop the strainer from turning and allow you to loosen the lock nut.
Twist and pull out the kitchen sink strainer. Using a putty knife and some steel wool remove all residue from both sides of the opening. You should examine the old strainer that you have just removed for signs of excess wear, cracks, or anything wrong with it that could be causing a leak. If you determine that the strainer itself is sound, clean the putty off of the piece and clean it thoroughly. If you find any flaws, take the piece with you to the hardware store and buy a replacement.
Now you can reinstall the sink strainer. You should begin by determining what type of seal you will use. Newer and more expensive strainers come with a rubber gasket that creates the seal. If you have an older or less expensive model, you will need to use plumber’s putty to create the seal. To do this is simple, just take a generous amount of plumber’s putty and place it underneath the lip of the strainer.
With the gasket or plumber’s putty in place, put the strainer in place from the top part of the kitchen sink. Underneath the sink, first place a rubber washer, then a metal washer, on the bottom part of the strainer. The lock nut should then be placed over these washers and then tightened into place. With the lock nut secure, replace the tailpiece.
Using a putty knife, remove any plumber’s putty that has squeezed out from the top of the seal. Be careful not to accidentally scratch the kitchen sink during this step. With any excess plumber’s putty removed, you can then turn on the water to test your job. Any small leaks you notice should be dealt with by adjusting the washers and lock nut underneath.
Fixing a leaky kitchen sink strainer is an easy job that can be completed by almost any homeowner. However, if you have little knowledge of plumbing or don’t own a wrench, call a professional who can do the job for you.
