My bathroom sink drain fix turned into a mini flood

I tried to replace the pop-up assembly on my bathroom sink with a new Glacier Bay one from Home Depot. After I put it all back together and ran the water, it started leaking from the connection under the bowl, not the drain pipe. I learned you really have to get the rubber gasket seated perfectly flat against the sink basin. Anyone know a good trick for getting that seal right the first time?

3 comments

3 Comments

quinn_nguyen3mo ago

My old plumber told me to put a thin coat of silicone grease on that bottom rubber gasket before you slide it on the pipe. It lets the gasket slide into place without bunching up. He said a dry gasket can twist and leave a gap even if it looks flat. I did that on my kitchen sink and it sealed up tight with no leaks.

leo_campbell3mo ago

Actually had the same problem last year. The real trick is to use plumber's putty on the top side, not just rely on the gasket underneath. That stuff fills any gaps and sets up a solid seal. Makes it way easier to get right on the first try.

anthony1272mo ago

Man, that plumber's putty tip is a lifesaver. I fought with a leaky bathroom sink for a weekend before someone told me the same thing. That little ring of putty on the top makes all the difference for sure.