Leaking kitchen sink and washing machine waste

Supernova

Hi all,

I'm in a 1st floor flat and both outlets go out the same outside hole:



Sink from the left, washing machine from the right.

Here is the view from behind the washing machine:



Washing machine waste inlet at the top.

Problem is a leak which appears to be at the joint between white and grey before the U-Bend but it comes from both the sink and the washing machine.

How do I make that joint secure, assuming the grey pipe hasn't split? Have tightened it and the grey pipe is in all the way but no joy.

Should the sink be leaking as far down as that? Can't see how this arrangement could work but it obviously has for 25 years.

Does this need a plumber/handyman, assuming one could be bothered? Or can I DIY?

Cheers!

paulsad

Difficult without being there but try gently lifting up the waste pipe see if you can get a little more of a downward run on the grey pipe (don't force anything though and watch your washer waste hose doesn't come out) - looks a little straight ie water just sitting there as opposed to draining - other than that its a case of dismantling the connection and checking its not cross threaded, the rubber seal is ok and re attaching. So yes you can do it or if not a competent h/man. Try posting the job on mybuilder or sommat.

Supernova

Thanks Paul, the grey pipe already slopes downwards in that second photo...should it be that way?

I don't like the way it is jammed right up against the electric plug and I think Comet fitting the new washing machine a year ago led to a problem where the washing machine was filling with water between washes and then the leak exacerbated by them coming to sort that out.

It's possible to fit an extension from the other electric plug in the first photo.

It's hard telling where the rubber seal should be, or where it ends up after struggling to thread the joint correctly.

Is there something that guarantees a leakproof joint, like tape, or is it trial and error?

Cheers

paulsad

It shouldn't leak if its put together right as its a plastic joint that has a rubber seal built in (usually) - You can put ptfe tape on the thread as well if you can get to it (but its probably the pushfit bit that is leakin) or buy a new joint. There should be a slight slope on any waste if poss. - water can't flow uphill. Be careful with extension leads especially in areas which could get wet.

paulsad

Also sometimes if the grey pipe hasn't been tidied up after trimming any sharp edge can sometimes damage the rubber seal - seen that a few times before!

Supernova

OK thanks, yep maybe it's the seal.

What I was thinking was that the grey pipe should slope downwards from the washing machine end towards the wall so that the sink water can't flow upwards to the joint and the washing machine can flow downwards to the wall. Currently it does the opposite.

I would secure the electric extension well out of the way of water.

Cheers

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

I would also check that the pipe isn't all clogged up with general washing powder sludge, limescale and bits of congealed grease, as that could account for slow draining/no draining and causing the water to come out at the first point it could.

Supernova

I think that's also a possibility - I'll try some Mr Muscle down the sink.

Took the joint off and the washer ends up stuffed down towards the end of the joint. I'll pop off to Wickes I think, see what they can suggest.

Supernova

OK fixed it with a new waste trap and upstand. To be honest I think I wasn't fitting the washer right but for the sake of a fiver a new unit is best.

Put some Mr Muscle down and the sink drains fine. Will test the washing machine when the wife gets home...thanks all...

southcoastrgi

if the pipe that goes through the wall in the 1st pic is the one that goes to the drain then the tee is fitted the wrong way round

Supernova

Yeah, thought it looked odd. We had a leak at the wall outlet a few years ago and I don't know if it was that way before or whether the guys who fixed it did that.

Does it look DIY-able? Can I reconfigure the existing bits or do I need to buy new ones?

Is it likely to get worse or just about work for the time being?

Cheers