Our bathroom sink is leaking where the trap meets the pipe that goes into the wall. How can we tell what size the pipe is? What special tools (if any) are needed? Thank you.
That is really easy to fix. All you need is a wrench or locking wrench to loosen the bolts on either side there enough to twist the rest of the way off. Pull off the pea trap and take to your local hardware or lowes/home depot for sizing. Don't forget to get some plumbers tape or you'll be wondering why it still leaks after you replace it.
No special tools needed. If you can't twist the connections apart, you might need a pair of channel locks to help. First see if it is just loose, or needs to be replaced. There is two sizes of P-trap, 1 1/4 or 1 1/2. Take the old one to Lowes, and they will fix you up.
Well either your trap needs replacing or the fitting it is threaded into in the wall needs to be replaced. I have done this and you might have a LITTLE difficulty if you need to replace the fitting that goes into the wall. If you cannot unscrew it with a PIPE WRENCH or similar tool then try heating up the fitting with a propane torch. Be careful not to start a FIRE to any SURROUNDING areas. Just go to a Lowes or Home depot or better yet a well stocked Plumbing supply house for replacement parts. Piece of cake/it just takes a little time and patience. Buy some quality teflon paste for the threads before threading them together.
Most pipe is sized by the inside diameter. I'm guessing 11/2 inches coming out of the wall,that's code. I'm also guessing you need a pair of channel locks that open up to the size of the fitting with the big threaded nut that ties the trap to the pipe coming out of the wall. If this is the case tighten that nut, if it still doesn't stop the leak there is a large plastic or rubber washer under that nut you have to replace.
Bathroom sink traps are either 1 1/4 or 1 1/2. Tools needed would be channellock type pliers if you cannot unscrew the slip joints by hand. Possible leaks could be: the slip joint washer might have failed. Replace it with a new one. Make sure that you install it with the tapered end going into the wall connection. If the trap was hit, it might have just pulled out of the wall joint enough to leak. The pipe may be split. Replace if that is the case.
