Slotted basin waste leaking

[RussD]

ive fitted a new Basin, bought and fitted the waste. It’s a slotted waste as it has an overflow. I’m unable stop it leaking and I think it’s coming from the slot, what stops water coming out of the slot?

 

[Harvest Fields]

Evening. Normally silicone in between the base of the basin and the washer that sits on the back nut.

 

[NickH]

If it's a simple threaded waste with a washer and backnut then the water will be leaking around the thread and nut. Take the backnut off, wrap PTFE tape around the thread where the backnut will sit, usually about 8-10 turns , and then refit the nut.
You may need more or less tape but this should fix it.

 

[Best]

Simple as this, - sealing the top of the waste won't stop water that comes out below that, through the slot, from leaking out at threads at the backnut.
Both the backnut with washer to the basin and the threads require sealed well.
If backnut has a good rubber washer to seal against bottom of basin, it might be okay without any silicone or other sealant, but the threads still then need ptfe tape.

 

[turnpin]

Get a MacAlpine basin waste..no silicon or putty required ....regards Turnpin

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Get a MacAlpine basin waste..no silicon or putty required ..regards Turnpin

2 piece there the best

 

[Ric2013]

This is interesting. I was taught to silicone (or Plumber's Gold) the threads. Is the consensus that this is not as good as PTFE/Loctite 55 etc?

 

[Ric2013]

To the OP. You can use a 'basin mate' (Toolstation do them) if you can't cope with the more 'professional' methods suggested here. They work well IME.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

This is interesting. I was taught to silicone (or Plumber's Gold) the threads. Is the consensus that this is not as good as PTFE/Loctite 55 etc?

dont use ptfe or 55 on wastes

 

[Ric2013]

You do the threads dry, or silicone then?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

plumbers mate or if 2 piece dry

 

[Best]

dont use ptfe or 55 on wastes

I always use ptfe tape on the threads where the back nut is to tighten. Never any problems, although has to be accurately to right threads area.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

I always use ptfe tape on the threads where the back nut is to tighten. Never any problems, although has to be accurately to right threads area.

isnt it a pain to tighten up?

 

[Harvest Fields]

Most of the ones I fit state in the instructions to use silicone. Never had an issue myself.

 

[Best]

isnt it a pain to tighten up?

The backnut tightens up very easily if the tape is only about 6 turns, which is all it needs. On one part wastes only.
I do tend to use grips on threads to prevent the waste turning and so I can line up the overflow slot to be exactly below the basin waste hole, to prevent the basin overflow blocking.
Nothing wrong with some silicone on the threads though.
I suppose we all have different methods, influenced usually from whatever way we were taught.

 

[Darren Jackson]

Silicone every time for me, never fails. Most DIY'ers don't know the correct way to wrap the PTFE and often wrap it against the thread instead of with it so it strips off when winding the back nut on!

 

[jtsplumbing]

Why do some people get so much trouble with the most basic jobs, go back to old school method's never get any problems, Mind all the old skills are being lost, For most people Silicone & PTFE seem to be the answer for everything.

 

[Harvest Fields]

Why do some people get so much trouble with the most basic jobs, go back to old school method's never get any problems, Mind all the old skills are being lost, For most people Silicone & PTFE seem to be the answer for everything.

Not everything mate. I follow manufactures instructions and in most nowadays it says use a bead of silicone. Why would I question that??

 

[Ric2013]

Old school method? Wasn't taught it. Plumber's Mait, presumably, but also told not to use it on plastics. Or boss and hemp? Also, I fell out of love with Plumber's Mait when I discovered it doesn't do what it says on the tin.

Sorry, JTS, not trying to be funny, just being honest. Please tell us your suggestion.

 

[jtsplumbing]

Not everything mate. I follow manufactures instructions and in most nowadays it says use a bead of silicone. Why would I question that??

Well maybe that's one of the problems ! No one seems to question anything anymore, and items like these don't tend to come with fitting instructions, and that's where the novice comes unstuck.

 

[Harvest Fields]

Well maybe that's one of the problems ! No one seems to question anything anymore, and items like these don't tend to come with fitting instructions, and that's where the novice comes unstuck.

I agree mate. Novices by cheap. The decent brands have instructions.

 

[Best]

I don't use Plumbers Mait because I hate that it oozes everywhere.
On the subject of old school method for jointing basin and bath wastes, for me it was a hand made lead washer together with putty and the lead all gently shaped around base of basin using a hammer. That was the way I was taught. Certainly slower than just using a rubber washer and ptfe tape.
Still prefer lead washers for other improvised jobs though. Glad however that ordinary putty is no longer for plumbing.