Wanted: Plumbing 'Expertise'

[tamaranth]

I need plumbing 'expertise', by which I mean someone authoritative who knows more about leaking pipes than I do. This is not hard. (And I have asked Noel but he's busy ...) Am prepared to get a plumber if I must, but really can't afford it so would prefer not to!


One of the pipes under my sink -- cold-water feed to the washing machine -- has started to drip at one of the joins. The drip is getting worse. Presumably something needs replacing but how easy is it, can I do it myself, how, help...

Will be away from PC 11:30 - 4ish, but any advice / offers of help / recommendations of cheap plumber most gratefully received!

Aha! Another worthwhile use for the digicam! This pipe. The blue one.

Comments

[red-cloud.livejournal.com]

1) You need some PTFE plumber's tape, available from all good DIY stockists if you don't have any to hand (like Sellotape, but it's very thin, white, and non-sticky).

2) See the "switch" to the left on the picure? Think of it as a tap. It is currently ON. Turn it a QUARTER-TURN anti-clockwise (probably - it might be clockwise, but if it don't go one way, try the other, but don't force it - these things are fragile). This will turn the water OFF.

3) Unscrew the big "nut" anti-clockwise. It should only be finger tight. Don't be tempted to use pliers - just be persistent. As you unscrew it, you will get some leakage from the pipe - don't worry about this. If the water is absolutely gushing out, though, it means that you haven't turned off the water properly in Step 1 (or it means that your valve is broken - but let's assume it isn't).

4) You will find a small rubber washer inside the flexible pipe end. Check that this is in good condition. If not, you will have to acquire another one.

5) Wrap some PTFE tape around the exposed threads on the mains side. About two layers should be sufficient - any more and you may not be able to screw the pipe back on properly. The tape will ensure that the threads form a waterproof seal when tightened.

6) Re-attach the pipe, tightening only hand-tight - don't be tempted to use a tool or you may crack the plastic.

7) Do the opposite of whatever you did at Step 1 to turn the water back on.

8) Check for leaks.

[red-cloud.livejournal.com]

You could, of course, try what brisingamen suggested and just tighten the connector. But try to avoid using tools - they exert too much force for the plastic.

If the flexible pipe is leaking from elsewhere, don't bother with a plumber - simply replace the pipe. They are all a standard size and available from any good DIY store.

If the mains (solid) pipe is leaking from a join other than the connector, you will need a plumber.

[red-cloud.livejournal.com]

Good luck!

[tamaranth.livejournal.com]

Many thanks for this -- I feel quite empowered now! Haven't any tape here, but I think I've established that it is the connector and not anything else that is leaking! Off to buy tape now, with option of calling on further LJ help ... thanks again!

[red-cloud.livejournal.com]

Probably too late to point out that if the leak is from the BACK of the connector, it's probably the rubber washer that needs replacing, and if it's from the FRONT (i.e. to the left on the picture) then PTFE tape is probably all you need.

[brisingamen.livejournal.com]

I know I'm not really supposed to use tools but I've also found that for the cost of getting in beefy plumber with strong grip to do bugger all, a very careful application of wrench (something like a sixteenth of a turn was what it took) can solve that annoying dripping problem the plumber swore blind couldn't be solved, honest ... however, I like your techy explanations too ... something else plumber didn't explain! I may feel obliged to go and replumb my washing machine, just to make sure!

[red-cloud.livejournal.com]

After having to re-plumb most of the kitchen and bathroom myself (and all the electrics, and most of the joinery, and some of the plastering) due to useless fucking builder completely screwing things up, I now know what I only suspected before - it's all a huge con, and most people can do most jobs around the house with a decent set of tools, a few materials, a good DIY book and a free afternoon or two.

[brisingamen.livejournal.com]

I can do a fair amount, though as neither PK nor I can as yet cut wood straight, we tend to default to the world's most wonderful carpenter, but we're fortuante we can. We're currently working on plastering, wallpapering and painting. I'm a decorator's daughter, I ought to be able to do this!