Two weeks ago I fixed the food disposer under the right sink in the kitchen. This week it was time to fix a leak coming from the drain in the left sink. Will DIY plumbing projects never end?

Last weekend, one of our guests volunteered to do the dishes. She used the left sink for the water. This was a very rare occasion as my wife and I always wash dishes in the right sink. Because that is the sink with the food disposer connected. This was probably the first time the left sink had been used for years.

Anyway, shortly afterwards, we noticed water under the sink. At first, I suspected my DIY plumbing replacement food disposer. But it turned out the leak was coming from the left sink basked strainer (pictured top left). It was quite easy to remove the basked holder from the drain pipe at the bottom. Just hand turn the white cap. Also, it was easy to remove the basket strainer from the top of the sink. It is held secure by one set screw in the center.

Both the basket strainer (top right) and white basket holder (bottom left) were very dirty. So were the two rubber gaskets. Since everything was so easy to access, I thought I would try to “repair” rather than “replace” on the first try. I cleaned up the baskets with soapy water and paper towels.  Same with the gaskets. There was so much dirt on the gaskets I could see how they could not seal properly. Then, I used one of the cheaper DIY plumbing tools – a tooth pick – to thoroughly remove dirt from all the grooves and crevices (lower right).

Finally, I dried the rubber gaskets and applied some silicone spray on both sides.

Another DIY Plumbing Victory

Putting everything back together, I filled the sink with hot water, let it stand for an hour, and then drained. Did this twice. No leaks. Perhaps this simple DIY plumbing project actually worked!