Seeking advice on plumbing job

Daisy_84

Hi,

I have booked in a local plumber to come in next week with the view to replace the piping underneath my sink. I hate the piping so much because it produces such horrible gunky stuff. 

I sent him a picture of it (attached) and he has said the valve needs changing. Apart from the valve needing changing is there anything else that stands out that people notice?

I just want the whole unit gone and replaced with a better quality one. It’s given me such nightmares of gremlins.

Would people have recommendations on the type of replacement units I should be asking for? I’m willing to pay a lot if it’s going to stop these annoying issues we see in this picture.

rob7475

What issues are you having with the current waste trap? If liquid is coming out, you could just try tightening the compression joints a little or replacing the rubbers and washers. A new waste will cost around £30 and take a plumber no more than an hour to fit or you could do it yourself if you want

Tucosalamanca

Last year's thread not helpful enough?

Gunk underneath kitchen sink (can I get the whole pipe unit changed?) — MoneySavingExpert Forum

Daisy_84

Tucosalamanca said:

Last year's thread not helpful enough?

Gunk underneath kitchen sink (can I get the whole pipe unit changed?) — MoneySavingExpert Forum

No it is not. The question this time is different. I am asking what exactly I should be asking the plumber to fix, as I do not want a half job done only to be disappointed.

Daisy_84

rob7475 said:

What issues are you having with the current waste trap? If liquid is coming out, you could just try tightening the compression joints a little or replacing the rubbers and washers. A new waste will cost around £30 and take a plumber no more than an hour to fit or you could do it yourself if you want

Thanks. No way will I try to fit it in myself. 

I’m not sure what exactly the issue is which is why I’m so confused and want a plumber to help me get rid of this nightmare.

twopenny

Is this something that recurrs immediately after you've cleaned it?

I've had this happen in every house eventually. I clean it and it stays clean for some time.

The marks on the bottom pipes are just from tape that's been there. The residual glue has discoloured. A dish sponge with scrub and some white spirit would clean that.

Apart from the joining bit which is just a degrading washer that needs cleaning off with an old toothbrush and again, some residual glue further along.

The floor of the cupboard needs cleaning with some Flash or similar.

Honestly it's one of the best set ups I've seen for ages short of new.

Daisy_84

twopenny said:

Is this something that recurrs immediately after you've cleaned it?

I've had this happen in every house eventually. I clean it and it stays clean for some time.

The marks on the bottom pipes are just from tape that's been there. The residual glue has discoloured. A dish sponge with scrub and some white spirit would clean that.

Apart from the joining bit which is just a degrading washer that needs cleaning off with an old toothbrush and again, some residual glue further along.

The floor of the cupboard needs cleaning with some Flash or similar.

Honestly it's one of the best set ups I've seen for ages short of new.

I’d much rather just replace it. I’m sick of cleaning it. 

I haven’t encountered this in previous houses I’ve lived in. This is certainly unique in my experience and I’m 40 years old.

EssexExile

I assume you are talking about the waste pipes, although I can't see anything wrong with them that a bit of cleaning and tightening won't cure. The plumber is probably referring to the valve on the supply pipe that looks a bit messy.

Tucosalamanca

Perhaps ask them to replace everything in the photo, maybe explain like you have here?
The plumber can then come prepared with new parts.
Hopefully easy to sort...

ThisIsWeird

Daisy_84 said:

Hi,

I have booked in a local plumber to come in next week with the view to replace the piping underneath my sink. I hate the piping so much because it produces such horrible gunky stuff. 

I sent him a picture of it (attached) and he has said the valve needs changing. Apart from the valve needing changing is there anything else that stands out that people notice?

I just want the whole unit gone and replaced with a better quality one. It’s given me such nightmares of gremlins.

Would people have recommendations on the type of replacement units I should be asking for? I’m willing to pay a lot if it’s going to stop these annoying issues we see in this picture.

Hi Daisy.
The 'valve' referred to by your plumber is - I think - a Pressure Reducing Valve, and is the leaking object that can be seen just beyond the blue stop valve at the bottom-left. Yes, that needs replacing.
Then you have a simple weep from a couple of compression joints on your waste plumbing, and what looks like tape glue residue on the exit pipe, as 2'penny says. 
A new PRV will be around £40 or so, and a new sink plumbing kit around £25 for a good make like McAlpine. Depending on how straight forward it is to do - and it looks issue-free - it should all be doable in around an hour, tho' it might go over.
As said by others, tho', the existing white waste setup is absolutely fine, and such seeps are very common after a few years of use. In most cases all that's needed is a quarter-turn tightening of the collars, or perhaps a dismantle, clean, smear of silicone grease, and reassembly. The existing stains/glue residue can be completely removed using Jif or similar.
To sort rather than replace would be the sensible option, but if you want it brand spankin', then fill your boots - it's entirely your choice, tho' your plumber may raise their eyebrows at this suggestion.
As it stands, you have a perfectly neat setup, far better than most, especially with these lever valves, and with no unusual or unexpected issues that aren't a complete doddle to sort. 

Daisy_84

ThisIsWeird said:

Daisy_84 said:

Hi,

I have booked in a local plumber to come in next week with the view to replace the piping underneath my sink. I hate the piping so much because it produces such horrible gunky stuff. 

I sent him a picture of it (attached) and he has said the valve needs changing. Apart from the valve needing changing is there anything else that stands out that people notice?

I just want the whole unit gone and replaced with a better quality one. It’s given me such nightmares of gremlins.

Would people have recommendations on the type of replacement units I should be asking for? I’m willing to pay a lot if it’s going to stop these annoying issues we see in this picture.

Hi Daisy.
The 'valve' referred to by your plumber is - I think - a Pressure Reducing Valve, and is the leaking object that can be seen just beyond the blue stop valve at the bottom-left. Yes, that needs replacing.
Then you have a simple weep from a couple of compression joints on your waste plumbing, and what looks like tape glue residue on the exit pipe, as 2'penny says. 
A new PRV will be around £40 or so, and a new sink plumbing kit around £25 for a good make like McAlpine. Depending on how straight forward it is to do - and it looks issue-free - it should all be doable in around an hour, tho' it might go over.
As said by others, tho', the existing white waste setup is absolutely fine, and such seeps are very common after a few years of use. In most cases all that's needed is a quarter-turn tightening of the collars, or perhaps a dismantle, clean, smear of silicone grease, and reassembly. The existing stains/glue residue can be completely removed using Jif or similar.
To sort rather than replace would be the sensible option, but if you want it brand spankin', then fill your boots - it's entirely your choice, tho' your plumber may raise their eyebrows at this suggestion.
As it stands, you have a perfectly neat setup, far better than most, especially with these lever valves, and with no unusual or unexpected issues that aren't a complete doddle to sort. 

Oh thank you. Your response has been so helpful and I appreciate it.

Yes I am dead set on getting a brand new one. I do have OCD and this has created so much anxiety for me. I just want to start afresh. I’ve budgeted up to £300 for it.

I’ll check out the sink kits you recommended. My preference would be metal rather than plastic.