Leak in the Basement

I am having a small leak in my basement. Luckily I caught it before any major issues happened and also luckily it is unfinished. Well I located the source of the leak. I don't know anything about plumbing, so I will probably get professional assistance, but I like knowing the problem. The source of the leak is where the cold water goes to my upstairs bathroom sink. It's not coming down from the sink rather it's leaking at joint where the 90 degree pipe goes upstairs, so it appears that the seal between this joint and the connecting pipe isn't tight. I guess the PVC pipes are connected with a type of glue or something. Would do you guys (gals) suggest? What is used to connect the PVC piprs?

 

PVC is connected with a cleaner which takes the shiny coating off the pipe and starts a reaction in the plastic. Then PVC glue is applied to both the fitting and the pipe and pushed together and, if possible, twisted a 1/4 turn to insure glue is spread evenly. I take the glue brush and wipe the excess glue around the joint to insure full coverage. Sounds like that is where yours failed. Hope I answered your question.

 

Yes that does answer my question. I am going to attempt to fix, but I just had one other question.


Looking at my situation should I cut out the old elbow joint and refit a new one or should I just buy some glue and wipe some around the joint and the pipe where the join?

I can't really twist both ends of the elbow joint unless I actually run a new pipe from upstairs. Will it work out ok if only one side is turned?

 

I would suggest buying a new elbow, two couplings, and a short piece of PVC pipe (most stores that carry PVC also have short pieces they sell). Clean and glue about 4" pieces in each end of the elbow. Glue one end of the coupling on each piece. Measure inside of the coupling to the raised "stop" . Use a marker or pencil to put this distance on the outside of each coupling. Hold it up to the existing elbow and mark the pipe where the marks are. Cut the pipe at these marks. Clean the pipe ends and the coupling ends. Put glue on pipe and in couplings and push together and hold for 5-10 seconds. Wipe the excess glue off with the glue brush going all the way around the joints. Should be good to go. I have not had much luck wiping glue on a leaking joint. Good luck and post back.

 

Success, success!!! Glorious success!!! I used your suggestion of using an elbow, two PVC pieces, and couplings. Worked like a charm.