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07.15.08, 13:45 PM General Topics
22 replies
I have a small leak under my sink...think it's just a washer that needs to be replaced. Does anyone know how to do this or have the number of a cheap handynan in Nyc? I hate to pay for a whole plumber over this. [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
General Topics 07.15.08, 01:45 PM Flag
 

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can your super do it? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 01:47 PM Flag
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Nope. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 01:48 PM Flag
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call up the building mgmt - they will send someone [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 01:53 PM Flag
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No they won't. I own the apartment. It's my responsibility. Building managment is there to handle common space issues under the direction of the board, insurance, maintanence billing and city ordinances. They do not do repairs on individual units. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 02:02 PM Flag
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Ask the doorman and super or someone in the building if you can independently pay one someone from the building to do the work for you while they're not working. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 02:07 PM Flag
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Please: I appreciate your trying to help me but I don't live in a building like that. I am a private homeowner in New York City. There is no doorman and the "super" has no skills. He just takes out the trash and cleans the stoop and calls the boiler people if the hot water goes off. Thank you so much but I am looking for either instruction on how to do this myself or a number of a handyman. Thanks! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 02:16 PM Flag
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The Black and Decker Do-It-Yourself book is really good. I would ask though, if it is UNDER THE SINK, why do think it is a washer? Do you mean a washer from the shut off valve that comes out of the wall? (If so, can you shut off water at the main?) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 02:09 PM Flag
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Yes under the sink....The washer (or rubber ring thingy) that seals up the conectino between the 2 pipes...the first pipe is straight down under the sink and then there is a connection point to the curved pipe that goes into the wall. It's this connection that is leaking. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 02:18 PM Flag
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gotcha. That is simple. Do you have five minutes? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 02:21 PM Flag
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Oh, crap! Are you still on? I left the computer and I see you had some real answers....OK I'm goign to put DD in the bath but I will keep checking so please if you are still on and can tell me what to do I'm here. 6:45 PM. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 03:47 PM Flag
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Yeah, give me a second. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 04:15 PM Flag
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OK, you need to turn the valve off first. Then open the faucet it went to. Put a bucket under the pipe 'cause some water will leak out. Then use two adjustable wrenches (or open ended wrenches OF THE RIGHT SIZE) to turn the two fittings. One thing to be careful of is that when you turn the fitting, the pipe is not twisting. (It seems like you have rigid pipe on both.) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 04:24 PM Flag
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(cont) Once you have the fitting open, inspect the washer. (Actually, before you go to all this trouble, see if tightening the fitting doesn't make the leak go away FIRST. Assuming that doesn't fix it...) if the washer is looks like it needs to be replaced, bring it to a hardware store and get a new one. You should also get some teflon tape. Wrap this around the threads before you tighten everything back up. Close faucet, open valve, open faucet make sure it is running ok. Turn off faucet and check. (I'll put a watch on this and check back tomorrow. I have to go.) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 04:25 PM Flag
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Oh, and good luck. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 04:36 PM Flag
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THANK YOU for this....I'm not going to do it until tomorrow because I don't want to get started until the hardware store is open, but one question in case you see this before I start...what do you mean by wrapping the threads in tape?> Won't this cover the thread grooves up making it impossible to screw the pipe back on? Or do you mean one thin layer of tape only that will indent right into the grooves? THANK YOU! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 04:40 PM Flag
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Teflon tape is super thin. It is great for sealing (and lubricating threads.) Google it. If you can't find anything I'll be back tomorrow. Now, I really have to go. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 04:53 PM Flag
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You are the best. have a restful night knowing you've helped a fellow mother become more of an idependent woman! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 09:12 PM Flag
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I rested well. I'm a dad, btw. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 06:43 AM Flag
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^^^ if you check back, let me know how it went. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.16.08, 07:25 PM Flag
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Hi! It went great. Thanks again for all yoru help. I followed your advice but in the process learned that the true source of the link was a lack of seal between the sink and the counter....I have one of those above the counter bowl sinks and the sealer had worn out so I got new stuff and re-sealed it and it should be dry by now. THANK YOU again. Times are tough, my husband is at work constantly and I'm trying to learn how to do this kind of thing myself without paying anyone. In the old days I wouldn't have thought twice ab out calling a plumber but between private school and the market I'm learning to be a do-it-yourselfer. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.17.08, 09:12 AM Flag
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^^^That should read "True source of the LEAK" [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.17.08, 09:12 AM Flag
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Cool! In my fantasy, just-won-the-lottery-world, one of the classes my school/I teach will be for home/apt owners on how to fix basic stuff. I find it is the fear that keeps people from doing these things. The knowledge and skill (for the basics) are not such a big deal. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.17.08, 10:20 AM Flag
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