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Bigfoot@lemmy.world

This plastic hexagon piece keeps coming loose and causing water to flow down the pipe under the sink. (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 month ago by Pogbom@lemmy.world to c/plumbing@lemmy.world

12 comments fedilink hide all child comments

It's happened twice now. I figure I maybe didn't tighten it enough last time so I went a bit harder this time. Any idea if something else might be wrong? My complete amateur theory is that the hard water buildup is making everything stiff down there, so that rotating the faucet also rotates this piece.

Thanks for your help!

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[–] actionjbone@sh.itjust.works 10 points 1 month ago (1 children)

If you went harder, you may have over tightened it. You may need to replace the nut.

Hard water buildup shouldn't cause issues.

[–] Pogbom@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Darn, thanks for the info... huge noob here. To clarify, after it leaked the first time, I was careful not to go too tight for that reason, but it still leaked again after that so I only did it harder just now.

I suppose there could have been a crack in it already. More importantly, is this something an amateur could investigate and fix? 😆 Thank you!!

[–] orbituary@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 points 1 month ago (1 children)

It's plastic on plastic. Despite being PVC, it has a limit. Next time, a bit of nylon tape or pipe sealing tape would be the right move.

Good luck.

[–] Pogbom@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago (3 children)

Gotcha! Sorry, just to be sure, you mean tape on the thread of that hexagon piece to give some space between the plastic pieces?

[–] Schmuppes@lemmy.today 3 points 1 month ago

Not to give space, but to make the threads seal up.

[–] actionjbone@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 month ago

The tape helps create a seal. You wrap the tape around the screw's threads, then you twist the nut onto the screw.

[–] orbituary@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Yes. Nylon tape on the threads of the cap. The "hexagon piece" is a plug and the hex is just there to give you something to tighten it with. Sometimes you see them with a recessed hex instead of an exposed one. Same function. The tape creates a seal the same way a gasket does.

[–] Pogbom@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago

Fantastic, thank you!

[–] moonshadow@slrpnk.net 6 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Thread tape and a prayer is the temp fix, but this is also just an example of decline in manufacturing quality. That piece would've been brass 20 years ago and lasted 100. Dumpsters outside remodels are an exclusive source for high-quality fixtures at this point x(

[–] Pogbom@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Ah yeah, not surprising sadly. So you'd also agree this piece is likely cracked and needs replacing? Can I just buy a brass one now? Annnd is it an easy enough fix for a complete amateur? Thanks!

[–] moonshadow@slrpnk.net 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I'd say give it a good wrap of thread tape and see if it stays sealed! Brass nut for the plastic housing would be a bit silly, but replacing it is very easy once you track one down. Decent odds tape will fix it though

[–] Pogbom@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago

Amazing, thank you :)