gwandsh wrote in
:

On Dec 29, 4:45*pm, "HeyBub" wrote:
gwandsh wrote:
Hi all

I recently installed a new bathroom vanity, sink and faucet. *I am
getting a small leak at the point where the large nut tightens the
drain assembly onto the bottom of the sink, compressing the black
washer onto the bottom of the sink drain.

I have seen sink installs before, checked the net for hints, and
even did a couple quite some time ago. *I double checked the
sink/vanity that was removed from the space, and also on line, so I
know the washers on the drain assembly are in the right order. *The
drain flange has a good ring of plumbers putty under it.

The sink itself is an ornamental handpainted model, and may have
some slight irregularities at the sink drain. *Because the sink is
somewha
t
more delicate than the standard white porcelain models, I don't
want to risk overtightening the nut.

So what I am hoping to get are pointers on what the plumber-savvy
folks would do to handle a leak on the underside of the sink drain?
Can I add a thin bead of plumbers putty where the black washer
meets the sink, in an attempt to fill any irregularities the washer
can't handle? *I am reluctant to use silicone at that point, just
in case i
t
isn't successful and I have to dismantle it again.

Thanks for any tips

If you've got water that's any kind of hard, put a bucket under the
sink
for
a few days and see if the leak heals itself.

Thanks all for the responses. To fill in some gaps in the info:
I have already re-installed this a couple of times.
I use a pretty thick roll of plumbers putty. Perhaps tightening has
squeezed out too much.
I *did* try the finger tight nut solution. I then tried tightening a
half turn and re-testing. After 4-5 half turns, I stopped in fear of
damaging the sink.
To Red Green (one of my fav shows, BTW): If I have over-tightened the
black washer (I assume that's the "cone" washer, it does have that
shape), does it need to get replaced before I try to re-install?
Can I use some plumbers putty along with the cone washer to make the
seal on the underside of the sink?

Cheers




I'm no plumbing person. Just relaying my fu...errrr...fixes. I've had
experiences where I retried doing the tightening sequence with the same
washer. Rarely it corrected it. Replacing it and following "the rules"
frequently fixed it.

For clarity and a better chance at someone helping, were are talking
about a leak at the red arrow in this pic right?

http://i47.tinypic.com/apfhw2.jpg

Plumbers putty there I wouldn't have much confidence in. If you are
really desperate and at a loss go with silicone. I was once in that
desparation position. Did not have silicone, there is no pressure being a
drain but I did have time for the group to laugh here and open tube of
roofing cement handy. Sink underside black, cone black. Never leaked
afterwards.

And you thought I was kidding when I said I was no plumber :-)