Kitchen Sink Strainer Basket Leaking

[Milkman]

Hello All, I need your help...

The strainer on my kitchen sink is leaking again. About 6 weeks ago it started to leak. I took it apart from the sink and removed/replaced the plumbers putty around the seal. This worked well until today. It appears to be leaking from the same place as last time.


1)The sink is stainless steel and so is the strainer.
2)I don't have a diposer.
3)I am pretty sure that I got everything tight. Otherwise it wouldn't have been OK for 6 weeks.

Any ideas or tips ?

Thanks

 

[rshaw125]

Sometimes they need to be tightened up, especially if you over do the putty.. Mine did that. I snugged it up and it has not leaked in years.

 

[Donald]

I would see if you can tighten up some more. Maybe things have settled a bit and you can tighten it some more. Did you give it a close look for a crack?

 

[Quest]

did you use the original (typically came with the basket strainer kit) rubber disk seal?

Q.

BTW: when replacing those kitchen sink strainer, I'd never have to resort to using any plumber's putty or similar (but to use the rubber gasket ring that came along with the kit), never a leak until the next time the strainer needs replacement.

 

[MrHorspwer]

If I'm not mistaken, there is a special basket wrench to tighten stainless steel sink drains. Are you using the tool or are you just going at it with some pliers?

 

[Milkman]

Pliers. Maybe I'll try to snug it up some more.

Also, I used the rubber seal that was previously installed on the bottom of the basket. I used the putty between the flange and the sink.

 

[HerrStig]

Ya gotta thghten until a little putty is visible around the sink/strainer line. Putty seems to be getting better, but more expensive.

 

[Tdbo]

I would try snugging it up more.
If that doesn't work, I would replace it in case there is some kind of pinhole in it.

 

[wog]

Use a open end wrench on top and tighten nut, if it slides after that get a new basket strainer deep cup style. They can be tightend better than the shallow version. Good luck
Use channel locks or waterpump pliers more torque

 

[JTK]

Yep, I've fought with them in the past too. I usually was able to snug them a bit more and eventually they sealed.

Not to hy-jack the tread, but I'm wondering if the previous owner of my home had a similar issue? I've got these weird sleeve/covers of mine. They twist/turn but I have no idea how they come off!

Has anyone ever seen these?

 

[wog]

PVC strainer don t crank it down it will strip or crack,

 

[KD0AXS]

Honestly, if they keep causing you problems I would just get some new ones and replace them. I got the nice deep commercial quality stainless steel ones from Lowe's when we had our granite countertops installed about 2.5 years ago. I installed them according to the directions and they've never leaked a drop. They weren't very expensive either. I used a large channel lock pliers to tighten them.

 

[Milkman]

Thanks for all the help.

 

[DBMaster]

I have a simple answer for you; clear silicone sealant. I saw this some time ago in a "common plumbing mistakes" story. Stainless steel sinks are made of very thin material that flexes. Plumber's putty will squeeze flat and out. Run a small bead of clear silicone, tighten the large nut - not too tight, and let it cure. I did this on my SS sink years ago and it worked on both the disposal and non-disposal sides.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: wog
PVC strainer don t crank it down it will strip or crack,


I've had the piping off of these to snake out the sink drain and they just spin in either direction. I've seen PVC strainer assys, and the one's I've seen had fasteners/attachment hardware. Not these?

 

[Plumber]

From a service standpoint we never re use the same strainers. They come in different styles. One with a huge nut, that can come loose. Another with three prongs which tighten with a screwdriver. A deeper strainer with a smaller nut.

Puddy on stainless is time proven if done right. Silicone works well to, but do not use it with a disposal, vibration could break the seal.

 

[user52165]

Originally Posted By: wog
PVC strainer don t crank it down it will strip or crack,


+1 Get a metal basket. PVC fittings are fine and will seal well when only hand tight. Overtighten and they bust.

 

[DBMaster]

Hmm. I guess no one wants to corroborate the clear silicone method? I guarantee it works. You can clean up any excess with a paper towel dampened with rubbing alcohol. You'll get a seal that will last many years.

 

[Papa Bear]

Originally Posted By: Plumber
From a service standpoint we never re use the same strainers. They come in different styles. One with a huge nut, that can come loose. Another with three prongs which tighten with a screwdriver. A deeper strainer with a smaller nut.

Puddy on stainless is time proven if done right. Silicone works well to, but do not use it with a disposal, vibration could break the seal.


I would take sink advice from the man called Plumber ....

 

[DBMaster]

I found just the opposite to be the case. The putty slowly squeezed out from the vibration while the silicone has maintained a watertight seal for eight years. YMMV.