How To Change That Leaking Kitchen Sink Trap And Solve Your Plumbing Problem
If you have a trap that is leaking beneath your sink, it may be due to problems like pipes being bumped and damaged or seals wearing out. While some plumbing you may want to contact a plumber for, changing the trap beneath the sink is something you can easily do yourself. Here are some simple steps to changing the trap and stopping the leaks beneath your kitchen sink:
Step 1: Gather The Tools You Need To Remove The Old Sink Trap
First, you will want to have a few tools to get the old trap out and put everything back together. You will need, a hacksaw, crescent wrench and screw drivers. You may only need to have the hacksaw to remove the old pipes, but screwdrivers will probably be need to replace the sink drain and other parts of your kitchen sink if you buy a complete kit. In addition, you may need to have a crescent wrench to remove any pipes with screw-on fittings that you want to reuse.
Step 2: Cutting The Old Trap Out And Attaching Collars For The New Pipes
The first step in replacing the old trap is to remove the old one. This can easily be done by cutting the old pipes out. When cutting the pipes, make sure you leave enough pipe to connect the new pipes with collar adapters. If you have screw-on fittings already, you may want to save them and just reuse them if possible. If you have old steel pipes, there are rubber collars that can make connecting modern PVC a simple task, though you may want to contact a plumber and talk with them about replacing the steel pipes that are going to eventually cause problems as they deteriorate.
Step 3: Installing A Simple Screw-Tight Sink Trap To Make Maintenance Easier
Installing the new sink trap can be one of the most difficult tasks of this job. You will want to put the new trap together and check to make sure it fits where the drains go. If you need to cut a little section of pipe, start off doing it a little at a time. Connect the pipes with the gaskets and screw fittings and make sure the sink does not leak. Pay attention to the rubber gaskets, which have a specific position and can leak when not installed correctly.
With a few tools, you can fix the trap beneath your sink yourself. Contact a plumbing contractor to help with other improvements, such as fixing water lines or replacing the garbage disposal if you have one. Contact a business, such as the Laroc Refrigeration-Metal Division, for more information.
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