Kitchen drain leak after disposal, pvc pipe

[t1snwrbrdr12]

So I did this drain plumbing about 11 years ago give or take. I had the assistance of a more experienced friend. I’ve personally never seen a pvc drain leak, but it’s definitely leaking from one of the joints that’s glued together.

Do I just re-do it all as it is, buy a 1.5” reamer and clean out at the y? Should there have been more threaded fittings so that this is more serviceable and wouldn’t be in the position of having to remove all this stuff to fix a leak?

 

[sparky123]

I hate plumbing work. Every time I have a little drip. Which reminds me, a professional plumber calls a little leak, condensation. (A little joke I tell customers when they ask if I'm a plumbing "expert." I also say, "I'm an expert if you want a leak.") Maybe just a little extra glue around the joint may do the trick at stopping the leak?

 

[Nukeman7]

If it is only leaking at that hard to reach joint, I would be hesitant to redo all of the PVC drain line. My suggestion would be to get the joint seam completely dry (e.g., paper towels and hair dryer) and apply the Rectorseal EP 200 epoxy putty found in the plumbing section of Home Depot, not with the glues and adhesives. It is not shown on HD's website, but carried in the brick and mortar stores. Amazon sells the 4 oz. version called EP 400. It will cure rock hard in 1 hour and is a permanent solution for plumbing leaks.

 

[Lubener]

Before using epoxy, make sure the joint is dry. I would try appying some PVC cement where it leaks and let it migrate down into the joint. You got gravity working in your favor. It may seal , otherwise an epoxy such as those listed in above.

 

[t1snwrbrdr12]

I’d be afraid epoxy or cement is just a temporary fix. If you think about it, there’s at least 3/8-1/2 inch glued joint there that was primed and glued and that failed. I can’t imagine a thin bead of epoxy or glue in that seam is enough to rely on. Maybe I’m wrong though.

 

[Nukeman7]

I’d be afraid epoxy or cement is just a temporary fix. If you think about it, there’s at least 3/8-1/2 inch glued joint there that was primed and glued and that failed. I can’t imagine a thin bead of epoxy or glue in that seam is enough to rely on. Maybe I’m wrong though.

The EP 200 putty is a permanent fix if you can get the joint surface dry. I repaired an exact same leak under my bathroom sink 12 years ago with a 1/4" bead of EP 200 and it has never leaked since. EP 200 is thick like modeling clay and bonds tenaciously, especially if you roughen up the surface with fine sandpaper.

 

[Lubener]

I’d be afraid epoxy or cement is just a temporary fix. If you think about it, there’s at least 3/8-1/2 inch glued joint there that was primed and glued and that failed. I can’t imagine a thin bead of epoxy or glue in that seam is enough to rely on. Maybe I’m wrong though.

That's is what is used for joining PVC pipe. Maybe the joint is stressed in some way, who knows? What do you have to lose by trying?

 

[KrisZ]

That joint looks pretty flaky and like it’s not all the way in, but that could be just the angle of the picture. I would disconnect the threaded part from the disposal and see if the piece is loose. You might be lucky and it will just come off.