Under the kitchen sink - plumbing question

[Lifeblood]

I could use some advice on this one.

As you can see in the photo, the PVC pipe directly under one of our kitchen sink basins does not fit firmly into the P-Trap connector. I can easily pull the bottom part down to create the gap you see in the photo. It doesn't matter for small amounts of water, but emptying larger amounts of water creates a small flood. I am not sure what is the source of the problem. Is it that the pipe coming down is not long enough, or perhaps the diameter is slightly too small and not allowing the plastic nut to get a firm grip? Any advice?

[falcondisruptor]

If you tighten it up does it stay?  It looks like you'll need an extension...

[Lifeblood]

It feels tight, but still slips off.

[AlanStache]

Show that picture to someone at homedepot/lowes/etc and they can sell you the 7$ worth of pvc you need.  That stuff should only need to be a bit more than hand tight if I recall.  Might need to replace the bit on top connected to the sink if it is to short.  Very easy to swap out, not at all worth living with.  Get a picture of where that pipe going of to the right goes too. 

Talking to the sales people at the big box home improvement stores is not always recommended but I think they can handle this.

[Lifeblood]

Sounds like a plan. I was hoping it was easy! Thanks for the help.

[Spork]

Is it possible you are missing the wedge?   This type of fitting has a little circular wedge that fits on the pipe.  When you tighten the nut, the wedge is what makes it a tight fit.

[Lifeblood]

There is a clear, plastic wedge, but I think it doesn't work with the short pipe. I think it will pay to get a new P-trap kit and just update the whole thing. FYI - the horizontal pipe going off to the right leads to a garbage disposal.

[Greg]

From here it looks like the tee fitting is 1-1/2" while the tailpiece is 1-1/4".  Changing either to the proper size, or using a reducing wedge (that fits into a 1-1/2" female part but has a 1-1/4" center) will fix the problem.

[sleepyguy]

You need a long inner fitting.  I had the same issue as my trap was too low for the premade fittings.  Bought a few extra lengths of the inner part and it worked without a hitch.

[Lifeblood]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. Here is the "after" photo. I went to the local hardware store (on Small Business Saturday!), purchased a 1 1/2 x 8 inch sink tailpiece and a couple plastic washers, cut off a 2 inch section of the pipe and installed it. It appeared to me that the new pipe was the exact same diameter as the old one, but the old one was only about an inch long, which was the problem. The new pipe passed the test perfectly.

[paddedhat]

Looks good. Now for a trick an old plumber taught me. Run hot water down the drain until the plastic fittings feel hot, then retighten everything by hand. I have solved countless drips and leaks this way. By getting everything good and hot, the threaded collars expand, and it's common to get an additional turn or two on them. When they cool they are significantly tighter, and leak free,  than you could ever get then at room temp.

[Lifeblood]

Thanks for the hot tip!

[catccc]

I have this same problem.  I was going to try to throw duct tape around the whole thing.  Maybe I'll try this instead...