Leaky bath waste

[HawkWhiteFinger]

Afternoon chaps.

Righto, had quite a few leaks from my bath as of late, fixed most of them and then traced another puddle to the waste.

I've had a good go, but know these can be troublesome from some searching.

What I've done is stripped it all apart, cleaned it, re seated the chrome drain grid on a bed of silicone - didn't look like it had anything on it before. Then the actual waste fitting underneath, I dressed the rubber seal with some Jet Blue ptfe paste (I love that stuff) and put it all back together.

Will let the silicone go off before testing, but can you chaps offer any tips on leaky wastes and traps? I've not had much to to with baths and sinks really! I'm just the guy who throws pipe and solder around!

Thanks.

 

[Keefy]

I rarely find the need to use silicone and other gunk on bath and waste fittings, making sure all parts such as the washers etc are clean from grit and the like are all that's needed. Those horrible fibre glass baths which are rough as dogs behinds underneath may need silicone but generally you don't need it.

Are you over tightening?

 

[HawkWhiteFinger]

I rarely find the need to use silicone and other gunk on bath and waste fittings, making sure all parts such as the washers etc are clean from grit and the like are all that's needed. Those horrible fibre glass baths which are rough as dogs behinds underneath may need silicone but generally you don't need it.

Are you over tightening?

Since re assembly, haven't tested it yet. I've only just discovered it, it wasn't one I installed. It's a metal bath, might give it a run in a moment.

 

[SilentMike]

you dont need to let the silicone dry when doing wastes, if still leaking i would be looking for a split or crack in it

 

[michael c]

hawk i have only fitted a few bath wastes but in my experience there its usually a thin white washer that goes under the chrome waste plate.

 

[Keefy]

Get the towels ready! :boat:

 

[HawkWhiteFinger]

you dont need to let the silicone dry when doing wastes, if still leaking i would be looking for a split or crack in it

I assembled it right away, I just meant wait for it to dry before I test it.

 

[HawkWhiteFinger]

hawk i have only fitted a few bath wastes but in my experience there its usually a thin white washer that goes under the chrome waste plate.

This one didn't have anything on it at all.

 

[HawkWhiteFinger]

Get the towels ready! :boat:

Gone through lots already! Person I bought the place from has left me with a few bodges!

 

[SimonG]

If it's an old one leaking then it's off and on with a new one. Bit of silicone and away you go. Works out cheaper for the customer rather than stripping ou the old cleaning it all up and putting it back together.

 

[HawkWhiteFinger]

If it's an old one leaking then it's off and on with a new one. Bit of silicone and away you go. Works out cheaper for the customer rather than stripping ou the old cleaning it all up and putting it back together.

Yeah I think if I get much more grief I'll go and buy a new trap and waste.

 

[michael c]

get it tested then hawk we are curious now mate

 

[Keefy]

*Passes popcorn around*

 

[Subby]

I usually do away with the washer on the top side of the waste and bullock loads of silicone on there as they are a PITA to change if the washer lets by (as you have found out. You have to be careful what you use jet blue on as it can corrode plastics, some plumbers like to use plumbers mait in place of silicone, but i don't get on with the stuff personally.

 

[HawkWhiteFinger]

Right, gave it a go, appears ok from the wate, but the push fit trap which was previously full of silicone weeped a bit, so shoved loads of Jet Blue in just for now which seems to be holding it. What I'll do is get a new trap and waste and swap them over as a matter of course.

 

[Deleted member 25704]

Having installed acrylic baths of the 1980s and 1990s with the 'banjo' type plastic waste fitting, I soon learned that stains of the cieling cost money and eat profit. Best thing for a banjo type waste is the bin.

Hence, I have always fitted the best quality pop-up waste the customer can afford. These used to be branded as 'bette' wastes from the trusted German manufacturer, but bristan do one now which is the same. However, do not be fooled by things that look the same in pictures but are not.

See the diagram here [DLMURL]http://www.bristan.com/WebRoot/BristanDB/Shops/Bristan/Products/INSTRUC.%20PDF-1029039-D1.PDF[/DLMURL]

and note that item 7 is flange washer that fits both above and below the bath waste outlet. The washer has dual purpose and needs no silicone or sealant, and neither does the overflow.

Another advantage of this type of pop-up (usually betwen £20-£40) is that it can make a £100 pressed steel bath look like a million dollars. They are neat, tidy and you won't have leaks on these.

 

[mutley racers]

Thats it clanger. Thank you. I am only going to fit the flange ones from now on