[CosmicMiami]

I noticed yesterday that my man cave sink was leaking. I thought it was one of the fittings on the trap so I did a refurb today and still leaking. Noticed after fitting everything up that it was coming from the tailpiece beneath the bowl. Took it all apart and put fresh putty on and still a leak.

This is a Hampton Bay sink with a strainer that does not go all the way through the bowl. The tailpiece threads on with a rubber gasket on the under side. Instructions say don't use putty but the guy at HD said it was okay. I did not use teflon tape on the threads from the strainer piece to the tailpiece. Perhaps my mistake. Before I take it all apart again I'm wondering if my mistake was not using tape. There is an overflow hole on the tailpiece but there is no overflow on this sink. I used a wrench to tighten but didn't want to torque it too much for fear of breaking the plastic.

I'm now drinking beer to ease the frustration and the DIY headache. Will attack the issue tomorrow. Any advice would be welcomed. Thanks in advance.

 

[TheEplumber]

Use teflon pipe dope on the tailpiece to strainer threads- also replace the gasket under the sink.
I usually smear pipe dope on the tailpiece where the gasket sits. Sometimes those under sink gaskets don't embed into the threads and seal. The teflon sealant will help.

 

[CosmicMiami]

The supplied rubber gasket that is supposed to go underneath is too small. When I try to push the tailpiece through it deforms and does not make a seal. SMH

 

[ct18]

I have had nothing but trouble with the plastic pop up drains that come with faucets now a days. Get a brass or chrome pop up drain assembly.

 

[CosmicMiami]

What a nightmare. I'm cleaning up work done by a less than skilled contractor.

As I said, the tailpiece was for an overflow basin. I tried a few things and they didn't work. I'm not a licensed plumber but I got to thinking that there should probably not be a pop up drain on a non-overflow basin. Not sure if it is code or not. I finally bought a one piece tail with a strainer and no pop up. Put it all together and still a leak. BUT, the leak was coming from the faucet. Dang cheap plastic crap. I replaced that too. It's all better now. Now I know why some plumber friends of mine only do new construction and no repairs.

I'm getting too old to be doing this up and down and crawling around crap! LOL