Replacing a sink strainer

rebeccak

My kitchen sink is leaking and I can clearly see what the problem is - The top of the pipe (which, from my googling, seems to be called the strainer unit) is completely detached from the plug hole. It looks like there should be a screw holding everything in place but I'm guessing it has just disintegrated.

I am the least DIY-savvy person I know but, having watched this video https://youtu.be/XooTBDWjUgk I am tempted to at least have a go at fixing it myself before calling in a plumber.

I've got a few questions though:

- Are all (UK) strainers the same size and type and do they come with the screw included?
- Is it a simple job and, if I mess it up, could I ended up causing additional damage which will be more expensive to repair? (The pipe below the sink is also connected, lower down, to the pipe coming from the washing machine, if that makes a difference.)
- Why does the video say that I have to turn the water supply off?
- What roughly would it cost to get a plumber to do this?

-taff

As long as you don't cross thread anything, you should be ok. Even if you dd, it's just a new piece of pipe.
It might take you longer than anticipated, just because you'll be off to watch the video as few times. Take your old one off and take it with you to get the new one.
Yes, they usually come with the strainer and screw as one unit in the wrapping, you'll be able to see them both.

MisterP123

Only reason I can think they advise turning the water off is to stop anybody running the tap whilst everything is in bits. Oh, and if you end up having to take the trap out for any reason, DON'T pour it straight down the sink......

-taff

MisterP123 wrote: »

Oh, and if you end up having to take the trap out for any reason, DON'T pour it straight down the sink......

How many times have I done that? The clue is in the plural.....doh!