How to fix this leaky pipe?- with video

united4ever

I just keep twisting the black plastic piece to the right but it just twists without ever tightening. This is where the water is coming from (not huge amounts but enough that it needs fixing. Any easy fixes?

https://imgur.com/b0TnGJr

grumbler

Is it a waste pipe? If so, it looks like push-fit connection with rubber seal and there is no point in twisting it.

Jeepers_Creepers

That looks like a 'push-fit' connection. That means that the chrome pipe was simply pushed into that fitting, and should have been sealed by an O ring which sits inside that raised collar you are twisting.

I suspect - since it's a chromed metal pipe - that it's either pushed that O ring out of place as the pipe was pushed in, or else the sharp edge of the chrome pipe has actually damaged the O ring.

Undo where the chrome pipe connects with the bottle trap, and then undo the bottle trap itself from its top - remove it. Now withdraw that chrome pipe from the black fitting using a twisting motion - HOLD THE BLACK FITTING FIRMLY IN YOUR OTHER HAND AS YOU DON'T WANT TO LOOSEN ANYTHING BEHIND THAT WALL!

Stick your finger into the black fitting and feel for the O ring. You may need to prise the O ring out using a small screwdriver or similar - if you take it to a plumber's merchants, hardware store or supercentre they'll likely have a replacement. Also buy a small tub/tube of silicone GREASE - great stuff to have in the house for lubing rubber washers and stuff.

When refitting the chrome pipe, first check it doesn't have an 'burrs' on its end, give it (and the O ring) a smear of sili grease, and gently rotate the pipe into place - keeping it as straight as you can.

You might be able to prise off that black end cap you were turning (but be careful not to damage it) in which case you can slip it over the chrome pipe, slip on the O ring (you'd have to be a klutz to damage it now...) and then push the pipe into the fitting. Slip down the O ring, and firmly press the cap back into position.

When you refit the bottle trap, lightly lube all the O rings first.

bris

Chrome pipe and push fit fittings are not the best idea, the pop and leak regularly because the chrome is nice and shiny.

Use compression fittings of at the vey least a fine sand paper to take the shine off the chrome.

If it's a John Guest fitting they do not recommend using them on chrome pipe.

grumbler

bris said:

Chrome pipe and push fit fittings are not the best idea, the pop and leak regularly because the chrome is nice and shiny.

Use compression fittings of at the vey least a fine sand paper to take the shine off the chrome.

If it's a John Guest fitting they do not recommend using them on chrome pipe.

If it really is a waste pipe, I don't see any problem with shiny chrome and how sanding can make it better.

And, AFAIK, John Guest isn't for waste.

united4ever

Yep, waste pipe in downstairs toilet basin. May have a crack at what Creepers Jeepers suggests to save calling out a plumber. Sounds likely o ring issue. Thanks a lot.

Jeepers_Creepers

Bris is right when it comes to pressurised systems - 'normal' plumbing. But as Grumb says it ain't an issue with waste pipes like yours, United.

It's worth a DIY attempt, U4E - if you get stuck, just don't use the basin until you get a plumber out

In fact, we insist you have a DIY attempt; it'll be humiliating for you on here if you don't. We are like that.

Any probs, come back and we'll guide you.