Leaky kitchen sink

The "strainer" inside my sink has come off and the "housing" underneath is loose, causing a minor leak. Is this something I can fix with plumbers puddy, or something I can easily fix myself?

Or do I have to take apart the traps? And if I need to take apart the traps, does it matter that I have an RO machine and dishwasher attached there?

I'm a single mom that cannot afford a plumber so any advice you can offer would be so much appreciated! My dishwasher recently broke down so I need my sink more than ever!

 

Yes you will need to remove the trap. Maybe you can just tighten the large ring nut from underneath but I think you will need to re-pack the strainer with plumbers putty to reseal. That will mean complete removal.

You will need to apply plumbers putty between the strainer body and top of sink, then from underneath attach the gasket and lock nut and tighten until the putty oozes out. It will require a fair amount of strength to tighten that nut sufficiently to prevent leak.

Edit...You will also need a special wrench for that nut. They come in many different shapes. Look up "kitchen sink drain assembly wrench" in Google images.



edit...What is an "...I have an RO machine and dishwasher attached there?"

Can you post a picture?

EDIT...Never mind. Reverse Osmosis. Senior moment.

 

EZ-FLO 4-1/2 in. Quick Connect Sink Strainer with Brass Slip Joint Nut, Stainless Steel-30015 - The Home Depot

If you want to buy a new strainer, above is a link to a type that requires no tools.
Just apply the putty and assemble the parts in the correct order.

 

Brian, good call. Never thought of that. Will still require disassembly. But how good are those if used on a thin stainless steel sink. Will they tend to dimple the surface?

 

It won't harm anything, the screws just clamp the basket to the sink. Disposer rings are installed the same way, using screws.

The old strainer basket nut is probably loose already. If the pipes have any downward flex, the OP might be able to change the basket without removing the trap.

 

Thanks so much for the responses! Attached is what it looks like under my sink. So would I have to remove the black piping from both sides? Or just the side that leaks (the left side)?

 

Just the side that leaks. Looks like you have lots of room to work with. I'm not familiar with RO system. What is that plastic tube going into the drain?

 

Ok - good to know. Thanks! That white tube is the drain from the reverse osmosis water treatment. From my understanding it filters through the canisters on the right and then fills up the large white tank to the left. The water comes out through a separate faucet. I guess as long as I'm not using that facuet it shouldn't affect anything when I remove the P-trap. Or at least I hope! Fingers crossed I don't live to regret attempting this on my own.

 

I DID IT!!!! Leak - fixed!! I feel like a rock-star! LOL Thanks Norm201 (and everyone else who replied).

 

Glad to hear it. ____________________________